Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Bandicoots and pythons and stinging trees, oh my! Past Review

By (Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin - Madison) - abroad from 09/10/2012 to 12/13/2012 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I changed my career path, I learned to appreciate the outdoors more, I gained valuable friends and an increase in confidence. It was more than worthwhile, it was better than great, it helped shape who I am today.

Review Photos

SFS: Australia - Tropical Rainforest Studies Photo SFS: Australia - Tropical Rainforest Studies Photo SFS: Australia - Tropical Rainforest Studies Photo

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.

Not as rigorous as my home institution in that you learn the same amount or more, but you are living it while you are learning it so it is more fun and easier to retain and use information.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very organized, but felt a little bit like I was treated as a child.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Living in a cabin is fun!

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Australia does not have the most variation in culture from the US now, but it would have been nice to learn more about and here from more of the Aborigines.

* 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)

Food was included and its not particularly often that you are in town to spend money!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 5 dollars
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Personally, I think that if it makes your trip better and more memorable then this would be the time to spend money.

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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Being outdoors all the time
  • Making new friends
  • All the animals!
* What could be improved?
  • The reflections and meetings felt redundant and as I was being treated as a child.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Bring more nice clothes, its not all field work!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.