Very fortunate to have had the most amazing experience studying abroad. January 08, 2023

By Susan R (Political Science, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/10/2022 to 12/10/2022 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned how to integrate myself into the lives of students who have been living together for multiple years. I also learned how to navigate and travel in a country where I did not initially know anyone. It was most definitely worthwhile.

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.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* 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)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$60 on food (this fluctuated by week. I lived in a dorm with a dining hall, and theoretically could have had every meal there). $15 on public transportation.

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?	Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	Living and learning with Australian students, and the opportunity to integrate into the local culture. Location and outdoor adventures Weather
* What could be improved?	Communication between home university and abroad university University study abroad portal could be updated Better understanding of the highs and lows of the study abroad experience
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I had a better understanding of how the residential colleges differ from dorms at my home institution.

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 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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	An Introduction to the Sydney Environment
Course Department:	Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences
Instructor:	Dr. Scott Mooney, David Edwards
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Had the course not been a take home/open note format it would have been challenging. There was a take home open note multiple choice final and a video project. There was a field trip offered, and each week there was a different instructor teaching class in their specific field.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I have not begun the credit transfer process at my home institution.

Course Name/Rating:	Aboriginal Sydney
Course Department:	Nura Gili
Instructor:	Ben Kelly
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The course was not super challenging and included a field trip with an Aboriginal elder which was really cool. Ben was an awesome lecturer and the topic was really important, but the course was boring at times. I participated slightly less than I normally would at Middlebury. We were assessed on an open note take home exam, and two papers.
Credit Transfer Issues:	This was a pre-approved study abroad course for my home institution.

Course Name/Rating:	Australian Politics
Course Department:	School of Social Sciences
Instructor:	Helen Pringle
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The course was not super challenging. Lectures were not always engaging, but I really enjoyed the discussions had in tutorials. I participated less in class than I would have at Middlebury. We were assessed with one open note take home exam, a 2500 word final paper (both of which made up the majority of the grade), participation, and a tutorial report. Helen was incredibly helpful meeting outside of class and really wanted to see her students succeed.
Credit Transfer Issues:	This was a pre-approved course at my home institution.

Course Name/Rating:	Culture, Identity, and Education
Course Department:	School of Education
Instructor:	Dr. Rose Amazan
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This was the most challenging course I took during my time abroad. The instructors were incredibly knowledgable and well versed in complex sociological and philosophical ideas that related to education. I participated a little less than I would have at my home institution. We were assessed on two papers (1200 and 2500 words).
Credit Transfer Issues:	I have not begun the credit transfer process at my home institution.