Incredible Past Review

By (Animal Sciences., Cornell University) - abroad from 02/27/2012 to 07/01/2012 with

University of Sydney: Sydney - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Some really great friends, and a boyfriend, and wonderful experiences. It was definitely worthwhile, I am actually considering returning for graduate school!

Review Photos

University of Sydney: Sydney - Direct Enrollment/Exchange Photo University of Sydney: Sydney - Direct Enrollment/Exchange Photo University of Sydney: Sydney - Direct Enrollment/Exchange Photo University of Sydney: Sydney - Direct Enrollment/Exchange Photo University of Sydney: Sydney - Direct Enrollment/Exchange Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I stayed in university owned housing, which wasn't particularly great. Other friends stayed in much nicer places - SUV (Sydney University Village) was the best but not through the university. Housing was also pretty pricey.

* Food:

Food wasn't included from the university, but there were many food options around and students got discounts at most on-campus and nearby eateries. The only negative was food was pretty expensive!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I am dating someone from Australia now!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Health care was included with tuition and was free (no co-pay). I was seen immediately at the university health care and medications/prescriptions were pretty cheap.

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe, even walking around the city late at night.

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)

I am on financial aid, and almost ran out of money during my stay. If it wasn't for my boyfriend paying for most of my meals, I may not have been able to eat all the time. I had to take out a loan from the university to finish paying my housing costs.

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100-200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to avoid eating out as much as possible, look for deals in the grocery stores, and specials at restaurants (for example, Domino's had $5 pizza Tuesdays, so we all ordered pizzas every Tuesday).

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? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • The country/setting
  • How close it was to the nightlife
  • The people
* What could be improved?
  • Housing
  • Costs/Financial Aid
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How expensive everything was going to be!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.