Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Living in the Gold Coast was the best 4.5 months of my life. Past Review

By (Environmental Science., University of Maryland - College Park) - abroad from 07/08/2013 to 11/17/2013 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My experience abroad was the absolute best. I got to live in a new place, meet new people from different cultures, and see places I never thought I would get to see. It opens up your eyes living somewhere else. You see the differences and similarities between cultures, and it allows you to bring new ideas you learned abroad back to your home. It is something that you should experience if given the opportunity.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* 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

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Stay in hostels when you travel! Research the best ones and the cheapest, usually they are one and the same.

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
  • 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?
  • Where we lived
  • Network of people
* What could be improved?
  • Communication with the apartment building. The employees of the Meriton had to talk to my room multiple times about the cleanliness, but they did not really give us a fair chance to express ourselves to them.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Probably just the cost of living. Australia is much more expensive than the States, but it is worth every penny.