Oz Obsession Past Review
By Jamie E (University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh) - abroad from 02/13/2013 to 06/29/2013 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Newcastle - University of Newcastle
I gained a different insight about other cultures and my own culture. I became very open-minded and accepting of others. I learned so much about Australia through the pre-semester orientation provided by The Education Abroad Network. I will never forget the phrase I heard during that first day that really made my mind open, "It is not weird, it is different". I live by that now. My experience abroad taught me more than all of my four years in college together, definitely worthwhile!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I learned the most outside of the classroom about other cultures and about myself. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were very informative whenever I had questions and showed us the ropes when we arrived. They were down to earth and very easy to talk to! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lived in a group housing with Australians and Americans. It was a great blend of people and my housemates made Newcastle feel like home. |
| * Food: |
I miss pumpkin being in everything! Pumpkin salad, cooked and served with dinner, or by itself! The food was very easy to get used to because it was yummy and for the pickier eaters, American food was accessible. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I joined a soccer team, made lifelong Aussie friends, and fit right in. I was mistaken for an Aussie on multiple occasions until I opened my mouth. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I unfortunately came down with something as soon as I landed in Australia and I was able to get treated right away. |
| * Safety: |
In Australia I felt like it was on another planet. You could walk by yourself and strangers felt more like friends, it is a very unique and relaxing experience. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? | $70-$100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Go grocery shopping instead of eating out. Take advantage of bbq's on campus and around you and ask locals for tips because they know the most! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 10+ |
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? | I wish I looked for a job as soon as I arrived to make living a little more comfortable, instead of waiting till all of the local jobs were taken by other students. |
