The Experience That Set Me Up For The Rest Of My Life Past Review
By Thomas Sullivan (Elmhurst University) - abroad from 02/07/2017 to 06/28/2017 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Brisbane - University of Queensland
Gained invaluable intercultural skills and a new sense of independence.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
University of Queensland tested my in different ways than my home university does. It helped me gain a sense of independence with my studies, for a lot of the work was self-guided. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
TEAN did an INCREDIBLE job assuring that every students needs were met and that any and all questions were answered. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
For what the student accommodation was worth, it was a decent time living in the provided facility |
| * Food: |
Australia is the epitome of health, and there are no processed foods. With allergies and restrictions, I found it very easy to accommodate to my needs. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I befriended Australians immediately and made life long pals. I integrated into their culture for they let me and showed me how. |
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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? |
Yes
It was perfect integration and was just awesome. |
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) |
Farmers markets were my life and made living very cost effective. I spent a bit on weekend trips but overall not difficult to manage. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100-$150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be smart and look for discounts and scholarships! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | None |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Look into doing things whilst abroad. I did not do a bit of research and I wish I had. My friends planned everything and I had no idea what I was doing the majority of the time. |
