Sydney Australia was life changing: Eat, Pray, Love Past Review

By (Environmental Studies., Rollins College) for

Rollins College: Sydney - Rollins in Sydney

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Totally worth while, i would do it every semester if i could!

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.

easy overall. classes were way too long. Some professors made us take way too many notes and used lots of paper for handouts. The grading was a bit unfair for the laid-back atmosphere of the classes and work assignments. I was surprised to get mostly B's when i expected mostly A's. The teaching quality was somewhat low compared to Rollins professors and the classroom atmosphere.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The Burke-Noakes family would love to have another Rollins student. I highly recommend them for next fall semester.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

mentioned above. Also, there are lots of great markets and cultural festivities going on all over the city almost every weekend.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? about $60 was given each week for food by the program. a $40 bus ticket was given each week as well. additionally, we spent money on shopping, buying drinks at night, eating out, and random expenses.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I saved up a couple thousand dollars for spending money and traveling on spring break. About 3,000-4,000 is a good amount to have for those things, depending on your lifestyle. the money goes FAST so spend wisely and try to budget. Spring break definitely added up real quick, thats where most of my extra spending cash went. But, it was totally worth it! So plan ahead.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

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  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

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  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would recommend it to anybody who respects the environment, likes to be outdoors, who is laid back, loves life and wants to have a fun time.