DO IT NOW, or you'll regret it and miss countless memories and adventures. Past Review

By (Elementary Education, University of Northern Colorado) - abroad from 02/10/2014 to 05/30/2014 with

University of Canberra: Canberra - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be on my own a lot more and I learned more about myself as a person. For instance, I learned that I am not really a big fan of drinking a lot. Like, while I was there I did have a few beers here and there, but while I was there, I found out that the most fun times I ever had were when I was with good friends just talking and and laughing and not getting drunk. I learned this in Australia and not at home because I was only 19 when I went, and the drinking age in Australia is 18, instead of 21 like it is in the US. I also learned that the world may seem so different in a place where you are not used to living, but really we are all the same in a way. Friends can be made anywhere in the world because we all have our similar dislikes or likes, or jokes or connections. We're apart of one giant soup called earth, and within the soup there are veggies, meats, broth ( countries, ethnicities, religions), but we're all combined together to make something brilliant and amazing. My adventure was totally worth wile, and I am so blessed to have had the amazing opportunity to experience it.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I think that my Study Abroad and Exchange experience was just one of the best decisions I have ever made. I can't imagine my life now without all the new experiences, friends, teachings and adventures that I encountered while abroad. It truly was worth every dime and I wouldn't change it for the world.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I loved the fact that I could go and see my Host Country's administration anytime during the day. :) I even did quite a few times, so much that my administrator just asked me if I wanted to go get coffee one day to just talk and hang out. Haha. It was so much fun. Everyone working in the office was so cheerful too, so that was a nice thing to experience/be apart of.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The living arrangements in Arscott were pretty good due to the fact that I got my own room, and the food wasn't too bad, and the bathrooms stayed nice a clean. Thank You!!! But it took them forever to give me back my Housing Deposit Refund. So that was kind of annoying, but oh well.

* Food:

The food was not too bad. Course, being an American I did miss my traditional food. Haha, but besides the small amount of choices to eat, and the repetitiveness of the choices, the food was very good. Oh yeah, and price was kind of hard too, but there was nothing I could do about that. Haha

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Everyone on campus was so nice and welcoming! I loved that everyday experience of being smiled at as I pass some of my classmates, or just random people on campus.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I personally had no issues or encounters with the health care while I was over there, but I assume they're pretty good.

* Safety:

The city was very safe to walk around with a few friends as long as we stayed out of trouble. haha.

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)

It was pretty easy because i don't usually spend very much money anyways, but when I did want something, it was kind of hard because of the price difference.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? probably around 20-30?
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save your "going home" money in a shoe out of sight, so that you don't spend it while you're there.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Hostel
* 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?
  • Cairns Trip
  • "Get to Know you parties"
  • All the wonderful help I was received
* What could be improved?
  • I can't think of anything right now..
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I could have brought an Underwater Camera. I went snorkeling and scuba diving one day and really wished I could have taken photos of all the amazing fish and SEA TURTLE that I found.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Concepts in Bio 483

Course Department: Biology
Instructor: Leah…….
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The class was awesome and I learned so much in that class! It was just hard to keep up with the class because there were so many changes during the course of the semester (Them trying a whole new system of teaching and grading), it was hard to understand. Especially since some of the actual teachers didn't really know what was going on either. It was very complicated work, but fun and informational!
Credit Transfer Issues: