Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Semester in Sydney at UTS Past Review

By (Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 07/11/2012 to 12/23/2012 with

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Sydney - University of Technology Sydney

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It did end up setting me back a semester from graduating, but it was so much fun that I don't mind and it was very worthwhile. I'm not sure I learned a lot of new things about being abroad because I had already lived for a year in another country before I went to Australia. I gained an experience that I will cherish :).

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I really wasn't challenged academically, but the staff are really pleasant and the student housing is great. Housing organizes lots of social events for residents that are a good way to meet people and are lots of fun. Overall my experience at UTS was great and tons of fun, but I didn't learn very much at all.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Student housing was way cheaper than the education abroad network's (EAN's housing is great, but isn't for me). The contract goes for much longer and I got my own room. I really loved living in UTS student housing; I met so many people who became great friends and it really influenced me to not hang out solely with Americans. Plus, parties! I should say, however, that heaps of international students live in UTS student housing. I made some really good Australian friends there but overall I would say Australians are a minority in housing.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I have many good friends in Australia now, and I miss them like crazy! I feel like they helped me to get to know Sydney. It also helped that I lived only ten minutes walking away from Central Station and 25 minutes away from CBD, maybe less.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I visited the Health Center at UTS several times over the semester. I could book appointments easily and quickly. The doctors were very competent in helping me whenever something was wrong.

* Safety:

I actually had an incident with a guy who was harassing me. I felt unsafe at times because self-defense items such as mace are illegal in Australia. I eventually went to UTS Security twice and then to the city police in order to resolve the issue. They both did a very good job. I think Sydney is pretty safe. It is still a big city, however, and some regular precautions should be observed such as not walking home alone at night and keeping a watch on your things.

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)

Rent alone ranges between $180-$250 per week. Many things are very expensive in Sydney, but if one is interested in getting a job the minimum wage is $17/hour. I think this would make it much, much easier to afford.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Around $265 including rent, food, and spending money.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you want to drink, do it at home because a cheap beer is $5. Cocktails and shots are very expensive. Coffee is also pretty expensive, around $3 for a small.

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
  • 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?
  • Organized trip to Cairns
  • Cultural activities
  • Orientation/Orientation leaders
* What could be improved?
  • I wish it had been less expensive, though I do believe TEAN is a good value for the high quality of the program.
  • Longer contract on TEAN housing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? .