Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Friends, fun, and fantastic academics too! Past Review

By (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 03/03/2014 to 07/01/2014 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Excellent education and classes, new friends from around the globe, and the opportunity to experience a new culture and country.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

One thing to be aware of is that if you get housed in Basser, Baxter, or Goldstien colleges, you will be expected to participate in a very hazing-heavy orientation which will include heavy consumption of alcohol, forced physical exertion, and a certain amount of public humiliation.

* 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)

Getting around as a student is VERY expensive, as you do not qualify for a discount rate on bus tickets. You may be tempted to try it anyways, but DON'T-if you get caught it is an immediate $500+ fine

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Excellent Professors
  • Numerous Opportunities to Experience the Country for International Students
  • Many chances to meet domestic/international students
* What could be improved?
  • Quality of International Advisors at UNSW
  • Flexibility in planning your course schedule
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That traveling around Sydney would be so pricey, and that dorm life in Australia is vastly different to dorm life in the USA.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'