Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Nothing Short of Amazing Past Review

By (Stevens Institute of Technology) - abroad from 06/17/2016 to 07/22/2016 with

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN: The Australian Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My experience was nothing short of amazing. I saw the other side of the world which I never thought I’d have the opportunity to do. I felt welcomed by the TEAN staff as well as the locals and I felt safe at the locations booked for us. I would highly recommend for others to take a trip to Australia and study abroad. I have learned so much within such a short time period. If I could I'd do it all over again and learn about sustainability and energy more in depth the second go.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The advisiors, instructors, and professors were all so informative throughout the entirety of the trip. I learned so much about sustainability and renewable energy from so many different sources. the field trips made everything unique and helped me understand the material to a greater extent.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Going between five different cities is definitely a lot to plan our living-wise. All the hostels, hotels, University dorms, and campsites were very accommodating.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt like I was emerged into the culture of each place I stayed. I especially loved learning more about the aboriginals and being in their environment.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I wound up catching strep throat while I was in Sydney for two weeks. The trip advisors helped me plan an appointment with the doctors office near by. After the appointment I was given a prescription for medication. The healthcare was easily accessible and I was thankful for the help I received from the advisors.

* Safety:

For all the places I stayed, I felt super secure in my surroundings. The tours of each city added to that as well.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I loved the traveling, the field trips, the lectures, the professors, and getting to know people from the states as well as locals.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $80
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Go to local markets and buy food to make yourself. It's a lot of fun when cooking with friends and a lot cheaper than going out.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Other
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
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?
  • Culture of Melbourne
  • Adventures in Kakadu
  • Traveling
* What could be improved?
  • Campsite in Kakadu
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how many shirts to bring with me and how often I'd be able to do laundry.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.