Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The BEST Experience of My ENTIRE LIFE, SO HAPPY to have Studied Abroad Past Review

By (History, University of Hartford) - abroad from 07/15/2015 to 11/22/2015 with

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Brisbane - University of Queensland

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I loved the experience of being tossed into a new environment and school and allowed to live like an adult and do what I want. The apartment was a great setup, my roommates were awesome, and the university was rigorous and challenging. I learned how mature I can be, reaffirmed my beliefs in certain aspects of myself and the world, changed my view of some other aspects of myself and the world, and made me a more confident, self assured, and positive person. It's cliche but true, studying abroad changed my life for the better. 100% worthwhile. Cannot stress that enough.

Review Photos

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Brisbane - University of Queensland Photo The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Brisbane - University of Queensland Photo The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Brisbane - University of Queensland Photo The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Brisbane - University of Queensland Photo The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Brisbane - University of Queensland Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The University of Queensland (UQ) is a top rated university for a reason. Each course required lots of work and preparation.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

TEAN RA in Brisbane was an average RA, didn't help us much in adjustment or offering very many resources.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The St. Lucia apartment was a very nice apartment, but TEAN seemed to charge far too much for housing compared to what other students were paying for similar accommodations.

* Food:

Food was, on average, better than the US (for quicker, cheaper food, which is most of what we ate). Perhaps marginally more expensive than the US.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It was difficult to make friends with Aussies, but when I did they were some of the coolest people I've ever met. And everyone was super friendly.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

UQ has an on-campus health service which provided appointments with a team of doctors and nurses. Very quick and easy to make appointments, all the doctors I met were nice and helpful, and the health coverage we received ensured it was all free.

* Safety:

St. Lucia and Brisbane are very, very safe areas. Never at any time in any city I visited did I feel unsafe in the slightest (extended stays in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns).

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)

Spent perhaps $50-70 per week on food and other expenses. A little extra if I made a large trip to the grocery store. Overall food and expenses weren't too expensive.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Roughly $50-70
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy food in bulk and look for the store brand/off brand items. Usually cheaper, just as good, and there's always sales on. Try to save money for all the cool trips you'll get to go on.

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Australia
  • Location in Brisbane
  • Orientation with the entire group, and then lived near all the fellow Brisbane TEAN students
* What could be improved?
  • The cost, housing bill seemed too high
  • The Brisbane RA, she was very average but it was an annoyance, not a real issue
  • Not much else.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How much money I'd need to do all the travelling and SCUBA diving I wanted to do. Otherwise it's pretty easy to just pack up and head to Australia.

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.