The best decision I ever made Past Review

By (Business Administration and Management, Bryant University) - abroad from 07/13/2015 to 11/22/2015 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
You learn so much more than academics while you are abroad. You learn about cultures, food, people, yourself, and the world in a way that just can't be described. Nothing will ever compare to these four and a half months that I spent overseas and it was the most worthwhile experience I have ever been a part of.

Review Photos

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

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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?

I lived in the beach housing on the Gold Coast and everyday felt like a dream. It is the perfect location and incredibly nice.

* 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)

I spent about $60/week on groceries and $20/week on transportation. Everything else depends on how much you want to travel and buy for yourself!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? It is so important to plan a budget and definitely do it before you leave! I did not plan a budget before I left and ended up regretting how much money I blew away in the beginning later on in the semester. Australia is generally known for being more expensive but if you organize your money and decide ahead of time which trips you are interested in, you will have no problem getting by. I found that it was extremely beneficial to plan out all of my big trips with friends in the first month I was abroad, that way everything was paid for ahead of time and you have a realistic depiction of how much money you have left for the semester. TEAN also does a really good job of organizing additional excursions that include so many activities at a rate better than normal so that also helped with saving money.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* 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 housing
  • The constant posts and updates on local events
  • The excursions & orientation
* What could be improved?
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? All semester my friends talked about the pre-excursion trip and how it was the best time of their lives. If I knew how worth it it was going to be, I would have signed up!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.