Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Study in Australia: Similar but Very Different Past Review

By (Biology, College of Saint Benedict and Saint Johns University) for

University of Notre Dame Australia: Fremantle - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a greater understanding of culture and difference and how to deal with differences by study abroad in Australia.

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.

Overall the academic experience at UNDA was good. There was some differences such as the Australia use of HD, D, C, and C instead of the American A, B, C, D, F. In Australia the emphasis seemed to be more on leaning and retaining the course information than getting the best grade possible. UNDA is very concerned about avoiding grade inflation like we have here in the U.S. and tries to keep grades to a bell curve standard. The format of classes was a two hour lecture and a one hour tutorial every week for each class (a two hour lab instead of tutorial for science classes). Even though classes only met once or twice a week, the workload was comparable to the workload in the U.S.. My only issue with academics at UNDA is that some of the classes seemed too new and the lecturers didn't seem fully prepared to teach some classes.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

UNDA's administration was easily approachable and responded appropiatly to any problems that arose. They adequately prepared me for my study abrad experience and dealt well with the 80+ study abroad students at UNDA.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in the P&O Hotel which is reserved for American students. It is right on campus so the location was ideal. The only problem is that Australian students didn't live on campus so sometimes the Americans kind of felt isolated.

* Food:

There is no cafeteria on campus but the dorm has a great kitchen and grocery stores/restaurants nearby.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Living in Fremantle was a great experience especially because the UNDA campus is right in the heart of the city. Festivals and parades throughout the semester were within a 5 minutes walk from the dorm.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I always felt like any safety issues would be adequately dealt with by the UNDA administration. I only ever felt unsafe late at night when people were spilling out of the pubs and nightclubs around Fremantle.

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)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Students in a liberal arts or medicine program would benefit most from this program because those are the specialties of the UNDA program.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Archaeology of Western Civilisation
Course Department: AY101
Instructor: Shane Burke
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was my favorite class in Australia. Shane is one of the best professors I have ever had and he taught me an incredible amount about archaeology. We went on a field trip to an active archaeological site and he got everyone to actively participate in the class
Credit Transfer Issues: na
Course Name/Rating:

Microbiology
Course Department: BMS230
Instructor: Gerard Hoyne
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The class was very interesting and informative. Gerard was very accomodating to study abroad students and made sure we knew that we could approach him anytime with questions. The lab component of class did seem tedious at times though.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Genetics
Course Department: BMS340
Instructor: Frank Sotzik
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This class was a little tough because of the teaching style. Frank read off of powerpoint slides the entire two hour class. Going to class was not necessary because the powerpoints we available online as well. THe lab component was boring and I didn't get much out of it until the last couple of labs.
Credit Transfer Issues: na