Australia: Heaps Good Past Review

By (Environmental Studies., Wellesley College) for

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I was in a completely different environment for three months. I saw things and met people I will never see again.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Lived in cabins, but in the rainforest you can't exactly expect luxury hotels.

* Food:

Nightmarket and pad thai caravan in Rusty's Market in Cairns.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Go to Daryl's!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Some people got bit by interesting bugs, but the individuals at the Centre know how to deal with these incidents.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Australia is very expensive. We didn't spend very much weekly, since we did not go off-site very often. Largest costs were mid-semester break and the three cairns weekends (which included a 160$ trip to the great barrier reef). Monthly I probably spent between 300-400 dollars.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Beer is expensive.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Heavy biology research, non-bio majors may have a harder time.