Absolute Paradise Past Review
By Claire (Towson University) - abroad from 02/08/2018 to 06/23/2018 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Gold Coast - Griffith University
I gained so much from my time abroad. I made friendships still maintained today, learned to arrange my own travel accommodations, travel independently, and navigate public transportation.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Great! The TEAN staff was super helpful and always available to answer questions and make recommendations. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Amazing! Couldn't believe the apartment I was living in was just a block from the beach. I still dream about the view. |
| * Food: |
Sooo many great cafes in Gold Coast. Very vegan friendly too. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
TEAN arranged my healthcare before entering the country and were absolutely amazing supports when I was hospitalized with a stomach bug on the way home from Thailand. Forever thankful! |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Studying abroad through TEAN was the best choice I could have made! TEAN staff was nothing short of amazing and the Gold Coast was an absolute paradise. I lived in a beautiful ocean-side apartment only a 20-minute commute from Griffith University. I also participated in TEAN's cultural excursion to Thailand over spring break. Everything arranged by TEAN was top-notch, from travel accommodations to local cultural activities. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably closer to 200/week, if travel expenses are included. I traveled a lot. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You'll spend more than you think, especially on travel. So many unexpected travel opportunities and last minute trips came about during the semester, I had to re-budget. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
| 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 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
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? | You'll travel more than you think! Budget for it |
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 Outright UrbaniteA 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. |
