Great experience, filled with self discovery, friends, and endless fun! Past Review
By A student (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 02/12/2013 to 07/01/2013 with
University of Melbourne: Melbourne - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
When I first arrived I was put through a bit of a trial... after 30 hours of traveling arriving to the dingy filthy apartment with no AC, internet, and lacked any access to contact anyone I knew.... I realized it would be harder than I thought. However through the little trials I was put through I learned a lot about my self and shortly after getting settled realized how amazing humanity was around me. The people I met there were incredible, and so was the country itself. Definitely worthwhile, despite times where it seemed like I couldnt get by, I am so glad I was able to experience this. It helped me gain a better perspective on what should be important in life, seeing how I previously would almost think the world would end if I did poorly on one test. I really was able to find a great balance between happiness and success.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The Academic rigor was only intense due to poor planning and unexpected clashes not known ahead. Make sure all details with coursework is finalized. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was great to find a place in the city and so close to the University. |
| * Food: |
Melbournes public tram system can easily take you to the best little italian districts, a phenomenal china town, and much more nifty eclectic cuisines. Just be warned it is a pricey, but with respect to their minimum wage its fair. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Everyone was incredibly friendly! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Not including all the school trips, supplies, rent, shower, electricity, basic living needs..... and only considering food (food alone ...175/week) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Look everywhere for scholarships, cost of living can be significantly high and if possible bring as many school supplies necessary or have them shipped over if itll really save a dime. Also do not bother with TV, and try and use free internet cafes. |
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
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew of more options for living arrangements. Also wanted to know if there is anything I could have done while abroad to speed up credit processing, and just course selection in general. I didnt know that for one of the classes which I planned to take was scheduled during the same time as another, and I didnt know that one had a mandatory field trip before I arrived in the country. |
