Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

"Hiking Boots and Bandicoots: Time Spent in the Australian Rainforest" Past Review

By (Global Environmental Studies, Clark University) for

The School for Field Studies / SFS: Australia – Rainforest studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I loved the experience, and wanted exposure to research, but prior to SFS I knew I did not want to be a career researcher...my SFS experience confirmed that.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It's not an exceptionally harder workload than normal university, but there's significantly less time to do all the work, as class is usually a 9-5 activity, so it is difficult to balance.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The staff and facilities on the program were great, but their liability concerns are extremely restrictive, especially their alcohol and vehicle usage policies.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Living arrangements: multi-person cabins in the forest

* Food:

The center had an AWESOME cook.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Volunteering at the Yungaburra Folk Festival was an incredible cultural/community experience, as well as the optional Cairns weekends that were arranged by our center director.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

...almost TOO worried about safety.

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)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Living in the rainforest.
* What could be improved?
  • Greater home institution knowledge of the program.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? An SFS student must be adaptable, tolerant with close-quarters living , and not afraid to get their hands dirty!