A costly trip with no help from my program, how a poor kid owes 3500$ to Australia. Past Review
By Ross G (Zoology/Animal Biology., SUNY - College at Oswego) for
SUNY Oswego: Study Abroad at James Cook University
Yes and no. The experience was great, but for the money and the debt I owe now, It's not worth that.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The Workload was definitely challenging. I think my biggest gripe was that the classes I took were very misleading. For example: I took Rainforest Ecology. I figured since it was Ecology, it was going to be about both animals and plants... Boy, was I wrong. It was strictly about plants, different rainforest ecosystems and the most boring class I've ever taken. Then they tell me the next semester is the animal class... I also got partnered with a mentally depressed australian kid who didn't do his work and made me do everything in the research project. I was not a happy student. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There was none. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I needed to buy sheets, blankets, etc. Very costly for a kid with no income. |
| * Food: |
The worst part about my experience was the food. That alone got me depressed. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
None arranged by my program... but I definitely did some fun stuff near campus on my own. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live 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? | Do your own research. |
