Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Enjoying Melbourne studies, culture, and people Past Review

By (Behavioral Neuroscience, Western Washington University) - abroad from 07/14/2014 to 11/24/2013 with

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Melbourne - University of Melbourne

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwhile! I learned that traveling is addicting, as well as the advantages of attending a large university. I also learned how to adapt to big city life, never having lived in a large city before.

Review Photos

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Melbourne - University of Melbourne 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?

* Food:

I provided my own food, and I'd give my cooking a solid 70%.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I really had no health issues to address when abroad.

* Safety:

Melbourne is an incredibly safe city!

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)

Melbourne is one of the top 15 most expensive cities in the world to live in (ranking at slot number 4 actually) and I wish I had been a bit more financially prepared...

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Be sure to budget travel and personal money. Seriously.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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 arrangement
  • TEAN's resident director(s) and activities around the city
  • Flexibility of classes allowed
* What could be improved?
  • Open communication between TEAN and student regarding finances (especially for housing...)
  • Clarity of all phone and flight options.
  • Not much else!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How expensive living in Melbourne would be! I wish I had possessed the foresight to get a job over there (seeing as min. wage is $16.88...). Other than that, I felt pretty prepared for my experience.

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 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.