Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Unique, Life Changing Experience January 05, 2024

By (Mathematics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/27/2023 to 05/10/2023 with

SIT Study Abroad: Australia - Sustainability and Environmental Action

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a fresh perspective from Australians, and also gained a new perspective on the field of sustainability.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I learned a ton, but I would not describe the program as conventionally rigorous.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I felt supported and comfortable

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Excellent accommodation in apartments, hostels, and tents

* Food:

Largely on your own except for camping trips which had good food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Much of the program was spent with my American peers, but the ISP allowed me to really get to know Australians and make friends.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Very safe

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

This program was an awesome way to study abroad.

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? $40
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Just stay organized and be intentional about where you are spending your money

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Apartment
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • People
  • Program Trips
  • ISP
* What could be improved?
  • Integration with other Australians
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Just be confident that things will work out!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

SEAS
Course Department: Sustainability
Instructor: Peter Brennan
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course recognized the intersectional nature of sustainability and was super interesting. Peter is an amazing instructor.
Credit Transfer Issues: no
Course Name/Rating:

Research Methods and Ethics
Course Department: Research
Instructor: Laura Brennan
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This wasn't anything crazy, just some simple guidelines for conducting social research.
Credit Transfer Issues: no