Very relaxing and fun. Past Review

By (Political Science, Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/27/2012 to 06/01/2012 with

The University of New South Wales: Sydney - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Very worthwhile. Great life experiences and friendships built and strengthen.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I enjoyed the courses I took at The University of New South Wales but my overall academic experience was poor. I believe that I put in more effort throughout the semester than I got rewarded for. I believe the way the grading system works at The University of New South Wales is not beneficial to students from the United States, especially for those students whose grades transfer. All courses are relatively straight forward and assignments are not difficult although professors often do not reward you with grades equivalent to what you would expect. Professors often assume the students from the United States are taking courses for pass/fail credit and often just give students low passing grades. Grades are not provided until a long time after assignments are due making it very difficult to gauge you progress and performance in the courses. Professors are not willing to provide any opportunities to improve your grades and will not discuss changing any grades. I had heard from students who had previously studied abroad at The University of New South Wales that the classes and the grading was relatively easy and while the classes appeared to be straight forward, the grading was extremely unfair, at least for me and the several friends that I studied abroad with. I am a A-/B+ student and received two C's.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Administration was helpful.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was decent. Four of us lived in an apartment that was clearly meant to be for two people but the location so close to the beach made up for that. We received a few complaints about noise and dragging sand into the apartment because a majority of people who lived in the apartment were elderly but overall we were able to entertain guests and enjoy hanging out in out apartment.

* Food:

Food at The University of New South Wales is average. Food in Coogee is very good. All food is extremely expensive.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Somewhat integrated.

* 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)

Sydney is one of the most expensive places in the world.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • You could take almost any type of course.
* What could be improved?
  • Feedback/grading provided by professors
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That the grading would be difficult.