Past Review
By Barry (Biomedical Engineering, University of Hartford) for
ISA Study Abroad in Melbourne, Australia
It was great but it has now shown me how much is really out there so I don't like being back and want to go to another country again.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2008 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The strictly theoretical base for material being taught was a major downfall. The mixed class-sizes and different instructors for lecture and tutorial section was a major benefit that really helped me be able to understand the material. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The class selection process is too difficult/approvals need to be more streamlined. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The UniLodge could not have a better location. less than 5 minutes walk to any class and under 2 minutes from my bedroom to the train platform. |
| * Food: |
Cooked my own meals or went out. Shopped at the Queen Victoria Market every Friday. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Purely amazing. It was the greatest time ever. Made a trip down the east coast from Brisbane to Sydney with 5 stops along the way on a AUS$114 bus pass. Byron Bay was the best place I have ever been for a vacation spot but I wouldn't live anywhere in Australia but Melbourne. Don't bother going to Fiji, that was my only mistake. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Walking around Melbourne until 4-5am doesn't even phase you. It just seems so safe compared to anywhere in the US |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Not sure, $6000 was enough for July-December including every expense, a 9 day trip down the east coast and a 5 day trip to Fiji. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget. You will want to do so much in the month of exams. I had 30 days for exams and only 3 exams total. |
Language
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Although I went to an English speaking country, I met so many international students that I can now say Hello in Finnish, Dutch, Danish, German, and French. |
Other Program Information
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Don't hesitate, it is unbelievable. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Thermodynamics 2 |
| Course Department: | HES4330 |
| Instructor: | Multiple |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Too much theory. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Many issues, still not sure if it is approved. Take electives. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Fluid Mechanics |
| Course Department: | HES2340 |
| Instructor: | Multiple |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Too much theory, see the trend? |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Electronics |
| Course Department: | HET182 |
| Instructor: | Multiple (Don Ward-Smith for 2 of 3 sections) |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Too much theory, labs were aimed at a 4 year old playing with legos. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Not so far. |
