Australia: helped me develop a whole new appreciation for travelling and meeting international peopl Past Review
By Jorid H (Health and Human Performance Exercise Science Option, Montana State University - Bozeman) for
University of Newcastle: Newcastle - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I would absolutely do this study abroad again if I had the chance and I plan on returning to Australia as soon as possible. It's such a large country with so many beautiful places to see! I gained exceptional communicational skills due to the fact that I was living with non native english speakers and it's funny, although Australians speak english it took sometime to understand the lingo they have, they tend to abbreviate a lot of words. My future plans have changed to include more travelling. I'm already planning my next big trip! Once the semester was over I took the next semester off to explore the countries around Australia. It was such an amazing, fullfilling experience travelling around the world on my own. I have become an incredibly adaptable person with amazing memories and new friends to prove that.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There is a smaller workload because the emphasis of your grade is placed on final exams. I enjoyed this system more than the American educational system because it gives you the chance to redeem yourself at the end of the semester if you didn't do so well at the beginning of the semester. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Studying abroad always places a challenge on being able to get school work done because you are truly there to experience the country and the culture, you don't want to be stuck behind a desk the whole time. Since you only have to pass your courses it allows you to do so which is great. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I arranged housing with a friend whom I met in the hostel I was staying in upon my arrival to Australia. It was quite easy, we went to the university hub in the city and were given instructions on how to use the accomodation link on the university homepage. |
| * Food: |
Everything is available but may have changed since I left. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
During orientation week the university took all of the international students to a reptile park to engage interaction with the australian wildlife. Still to this day, that was one of the greatest aspects of the program. The university also hosted weekly barbeques and events on campus which was a great way to meet new people. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
There was some crime in the city, my bike was stolen, but as long as you are careful and look after your belongings you will be fine. I wouldn't recommend girls to walk home alone after going out to the bars. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Someone that wants to have a lot of fun and is interested in surfing. The australians are incredibly jolly, fun-loving people. |
