Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Unforgettable adventure of a lifetime that everyone deserves to experience. Past Review

By (University of Iowa) - abroad from 08/31/2018 to 12/16/2018 with

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Gold Coast - Bond University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I already knew that I had a passion for traveling before I studied abroad, but once I studied abroad it really just reminded me that traveling is my favorite thing to do. Studying abroad allowed me to visit places in the world that I have dreamt of going to, but never thought I would have been to at this age in my life. Studying abroad was 100% worthwhile and I would do it a million more times if I could. It really grew me as a person socially and mentally. I have definitely become more independent and feel a lot more confident in traveling to further distance places.

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.

I loved how the schooling was laid out at Bond University. There is very minimal to no homework and just 2-3 big projects or exams throughout the semester.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The staff abroad were always around for anything I needed!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The apartments I lived in were more amazing than I could have imagined.

* Food:

A lot of the food was pretty similar to America, but way better. The portion sizes were smaller which I really liked as well.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt pretty integrated with the local culture and even made some local friends.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The program provided us with good health insurance and there were doctors on campus as well as plenty of hospitals and doctors around the area.

* Safety:

I felt extremely safe in the Gold Coast.

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)

I think you could definitely live on a student's budget, but with how much traveling I was doing I typically ate out for every meal which got expensive.

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?
  • The smooth application and registration process
  • The staff
* What could be improved?
  • There is nothing I would change about the program!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That experiences that scare you end up being the best experiences you will have. I studied abroad without knowing anyone else in my program and I remember being so nervous and scared that I nearly backed out of going a few weeks before I was supposed to leave for it. Going alone ended up being the best thing for me because it forced me to put myself out there and it resulted in me making some lifelong friends. I was definitely out of my comfort zone at the beginning, but I am so glad I stuck with it and went because it truly did end up being the best 5 months of my life.