Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amazing time in the Land Down Under Past Review

By (University of Rochester) - abroad from 07/21/2014 to 11/23/2015 with

University of Sydney: Sydney - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My experience abroad allowed me to gain amazing cultural experiences and the chance to see and do things I would have never had the chance to do. I was able to meet so many amazing people from a ton of different countries and learn to engage myself more in the culture. This experience made me more independent and brought me out of my comfort zone. It was definitely a worthwhile trip and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

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

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I got sick a few times abroad and the health center at the University of Sydney was very good. They made sure I was okay and encouraged followup appointments to check to make sure everything was fine

* Safety:

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)

It was definitely more expensive then I thought it would be. You could easily spend a lot of money if you were not careful with what you were doing.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150

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

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • 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 planned activities were great. The trips to Cairns, the Blue Mountains and the Royal National Park were awesome!
  • The people I met were all incredible and made my experience abroad even better
  • Australia is a beautiful country and had so much to see and do
* What could be improved?
  • The timing of our arrival (we missed the orientation)
  • The class registration process before hand
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I had the ability to travel much more than I had planned and so you definitely want to plan this earlier rather than later. They have some awesome tours for Thailand, New Zealand, and other countries that I wish I could have done.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!