The Best Semester of my Life Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Newcastle Uni is a large university which offers a wide-variety of courses. Lecture is held 2-3 times a week and tutorial meets once a week. The professors are very helpful if you take the time to go up and introduce yourself.

On-site administration of your program

TEAN provided us with housing directors in New South Wales. If i ever had an issue I could call them and they could come to Newcastle to help. They would come throughout the semester to take us out to dinner and check up on us. They were amazing!

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My housing was what made TEAN's Newcastle Uni program stand out from the others. I lived in a big boarding house with 25 native Australian students, 3 other TEAN students, and 1 Chineese student. Samdon house was located close to the public transportation system so I could take the train to Sydney or take a bus to Uni. I was a short walk to the shops and a 10 minute bike ride from the beach. It was a great location and opportunity to truly indulge in the Aussie culture.

Overall food was not that much different from American food. Popular dishes include fish and chips, chicken schnitzel, tim-tams, and kebabs. I enjoyed walking the local fruit market because the fruits and veggies were so fresh!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

From my opportunity to live in Samdon house with 25 native Australians I can honestly say I culturally indulged. I found myself learning at least 5 new things a day. From Aussie phrases, fashion, social skills, academic life, cooking, etc I really learned heaps! As a student at Newcastle Uni I only met about 5 other American students studying there. I loved that because I really felt like an Australian student.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I tore a ligament in my ankle while I was studying in Newcastle. I went to the Uni's health center (during orientation they provided us with their contact information). I saw a doctor, got x-rays taken, and was provided with rehabilitation practices all for free. Great experience!

I felt very safe in Newcastle. I sometimes would walk home from the train station to my house last at night coming back from a weekend trip in Sydney. I never had an issues.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

If I stayed in Newcastle I spent about $100/week. If I traveled to Sydney on the weekends, which I usually did, I would spend $200/week. Australia is expensive, especially if you eat out or buy drinks at the bar/club.

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• Other

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

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• Local Students

• Their constant support
• The orientation in Sydney and cultural events offered throughout the semester
• The friends I made through this program's events

• It would have been nice if TEAN paid for our bus passes we had to buy to get to Uni for class

The Avid Adventurer