Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A trip to Melbourne that started my design career!.. And was super fun. Past Review

By (University of Hertfordshire) - abroad from 10/04/2014 to 11/15/2014 with

The Intern Group: Melbourne Internship Placement Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
As well as industry experience in graphic design I also learned how to work with other international students in my placement and local professionals. Being in a foreign country meant stepping outside my comfort zone and in turn strengthening my confidence professionally and socially

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

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:

Day to day not included in program but a welcome meal and departure meal was organised - great way to meet new people and experience the city.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A but information was available how to get medical treatment if needed.

* Safety:

Within the induction pack there was full detail on how to stay safe in the city. Being away from home this was reassuring.

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)

Money was tight but not impossible. I found a Sunday job in a cafe which gave me more money to join in more social activities. There was also plenty to do in the city not requiring money and the intern group arranged lots of money friendly social occasions.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100 -150 AUD
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save as much as you can in the run up to your trip - it means you have less stress when you're out there and more money for fun! Part time jobs are easy to get when you're abroad too if you're willing to do something in the hospitality industry.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • 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 immersion into Australian culture and the social scene we were encouraged to join in.
  • Gaining experience in graphic design in an independent company which also provided content for my portfolio
* What could be improved?
  • Accommodation type. A shared house with the other program participants would have been nice rather than single rooms in a hotel.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing! The welcome pack and information provided beforehand was ample. The rest was more fun discovering along the way.

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.