A chaotic adventure at the University of Newcastle Past Review

By (Industrial Engineering., University of Arkansas - Fayetteville) for

University of Newcastle: Newcastle - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned an appreciation for American universities. I had other unexpected "events" happen on my study abroad experience that helped me grow as an individual, but living in another country on your own will definitely teach you a lot about yourself!

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.

Professors were not willing to adapt to different learning styles, the grading system seemed very inefficient and you could not tell how you were doing in a class because the papers were not returned in a timely manner. In some classes, the person grading the assignments wasn't even the professor! Also, professors seemed bothered when you would ask to meet with them about the class or had questions. Since most of them have researching jobs, teaching is not their first priority and it was VERY obvious!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Required what I felt like was unnecessary stress in order to take a final early. Documentation was needed to be "approved" to take a final early, and the reasons that were specified that are appropriate for applying weren't accurate. A student I know had an internship that she had been accepted for and on the list of "prior commitments" that would give reason for a student to take a final early it said job related commitments. They denied her application to take a final early when she provided proof of having a plane ticket and an acceptance letter from the company that hired her! It was very misleading and she had to end up dropping the class. I also had to apply to take a final early, I was accepted though. I sent in my application 3 weeks before the final exam period and heard back from them a few days later. They said the "examinations team" would notify me of my new final exam date. A few days before the final exam period began, I still had not heard when my new date would be. The exams team had not scheduled it, and pointed fingers that my professor was supposed to do that. My professor pointed fingers back at the exams team and it seemed that no one knew what was going on! It was a very stressful process, and very unnecessary!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Very close to grocery stores, the beach, nightlife, and train station. It was about a 10 minute train ride to campus. I feel like the conditions of the building were NOT appropriate for the price we paid to live there! Tons of cockroaches, elevator was always broken, and the fridge where our food was kept was absolutely DISGUSTING! People would leave molding food, opened containers, and steal from other peoples boxes. No security cameras were used, and in many instances would have been very helpful!

* Food:

I basically could find any food from America that I wanted

* 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? No

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? 40 dollars a week. Make sure you make a budget...it really does help!
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? We were told we could get student prices which would have cut our travel expenses in half

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

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

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Look around at other universities if you are set on Australia. Newcastle was one of the most unorganized places I've ever experienced!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Thermodynamics

Course Department: CHEE 3320
Instructor: Dr. Roberto Morano and Dr. Kevin Galvin
Instruction Language: english
Comments: Both professors were wonderful! However, the person who graded our assignments (not either of our professors) would count off for things not specified in the assignment. Most assignments I failed because of formatting problems (which I went at the beginning of the semester and asked about formatting of lab reports and received no specific instructions or even a sample). We were also allowed to work with other students from the class on assignments. I would work with a student who was also from the University of Arkansas on assignments and we would check our work with each other through out the assignment and I would receive grades like 35% and 40 % while the student I worked with would receive 75% and 80%. It never made any sense....
Credit Transfer Issues: