Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Inspiring, worldview-changing, beautiful experience! September 12, 2026

By (Environmental Studies, Colorado College) - abroad from 01/28/2026 to 05/14/2026 with

SIT Study Abroad: Australia - Sustainability and Environmental Action

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about how to drive effective change in the environmental sphere. Through our social change workshop, ecopsychology workshop, and witnessing so many practitioners devoting their life to climate justice and environmental conservation. I also did an internship which was very fascinting, fun and informational.

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.

Extremely educational, inspiring, experiential learning, lectures by practitioners, fieldwork, coursework reading, essays, workshops, reflections. Very interntional, effective learning.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Sam, Eshana, Helen and Elia were the best team. They mastered the balance between gaining respect, authority and being very organized, while also being approachable, fun, easy to talk to.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Beautiful beachside apartments in Byron Bay! And hostels around the rest of our travels.

* Food:

Helen was the most amazing cook while we were on field trips, otherwise we had kitchens to cook our own food, even while in hostels.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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

Every aspect of this program was planned with such intention, in order to inspire and teach us students through a combination of field study, experiences, travel, classroom learning, and independent learning. Very effective, extremely inspiring. You must be comfortable in and have an appreciation for nature.

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)

Australia is fairly expensive, but made it work.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* 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?
  • Experiential learning style
  • Witnessing practioners in the field
  • Location of Byron Bay
* What could be improved?
  • More information about the cities we visited and what to do on our days off
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Creating a positive learning environment within the group is crucial for everyone to gain from the program. Coming in with the intention to become friends with everyone and get along well is crucial! I loved my group so this was easy but just important to remember.

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.