Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

My study abroad experience with SFS in Queensland, Australia Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/28/2012 to 05/03/2012 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
very very worthwhile- learned about a truly unique part of the world, developed my interest in ecology

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.

The academic program was rigorous, although not quite as rigorous as many of my course at Wellesley College. Computer resources and internet access were somewhat lacking. Courses were well-structured and engaging.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The site itself is fairly isolated, but the program staff work very hard to provide off-site social and community events.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

outdoors atmosphere, cabins

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* 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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • sense of community with the ~30 students of the center
  • working with the broader local community- field exercises, directed research, tree plantings, etc
  • lots of experiential learning- hands on activities and field lectures
* What could be improved?
  • internet access (although I don't think the center has much control over this)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? prices in Australia are very high, luckily my expenses were minimal- mostly gifts and souvenirs there are almost no opportunities to meet young people on the Atherton Tablelands, I wonder if there is anything SFS could do to collaborate with any Australian university programs?