I Left My Heart Down Under Past Review

By (Psychology, University of Pittsburgh - Bradford) for

ISA Study Abroad in Sydney, Australia

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It has totally changed my cultural awareness... and definitely my future plans. I'm determined to get back there one day. And hopefully, for good.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Sydney Uni was really tough... not that Pitt doesn't have difficult aspects, but at the time, USyd was ranked amongst the best universities in the world.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I felt more at home than I do back here.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was in a studio apartment, which was basically a really nice single dorm. The location was spectacular. I was about a 5 minute stroll from campus and a 2 minute walk to King Street, which is one of the major arteries into downtown Sydney.

* Food:

I ate TOO much. I refuse to perpetuate the the stereotypical "fat American" by telling tales of my favorite places to binge eat in Sydney :)

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I had a great experience when I volunteered with the Conservation Volunteers of Australia for a weekend in Kangaroo Valley. And the most spectacular time with my friend Katie during final's break. We just decided out of nowhere to take the next Virgin Blue flights to the Whitsundays for a week. It was so gorgeous.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt totally safe in Sydney. And the healthcare was just as good if not better than American healthcare. No vaccines necessary.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

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  • Other
* Who did you live with?

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  • International Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Honestly, if you're considering it at all, just go. You won't be sorry. You'll meet the nicest people in one of the most breathtaking places on Earth.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Media Discourse

Course Department: LNGS3692
Instructor: Dr. Helen Caple
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Overall, my favorite of the courses I took. The instructor was excellent and it was really fun to study AUSTRALIAN media discourse. The majority of our assignments prompted us to read the Sydney Morning Herald, which made me even more conscious of the fact that I was submurged in this amazing foreign culture. Dr. Caple managed to keep us all on track though--overall, the linguistics course was an invaluable study on discourse analysis.
Credit Transfer Issues: Not at all.
Course Name/Rating:

Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience

Course Department: PSYC3014
Instructor: There were several...
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I underestimated the difficulty of this course, considering I had already taken Neuroscience, Brain and Behavior, Drugs and Behavior, Biopsychology, Cognitive Psychology for Majors, Topics in Cognitive Psychology: Bilingualism, etc. DO NOT SCREW AROUND WITH THIS COURSE. Your final average consists of a lab quiz grade, a final paper and a final exam which is essentially just another paper you have to write on the spot. It was a good class, just a very scary one with large bite-makers.
Credit Transfer Issues: Yes, I had credit transfer issues. I'd suggest passing the class--then you shouldn't have a problem ;)
Course Name/Rating:

Reading Sexuality

Course Department: ENGL2627
Instructor: Dr. Melissa Hardie
Instruction Language: English
Comments: 50% bizarre, 50% creepy, 100% awesome.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues.