Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Invaluable to my youth/college experience Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 07/25/2016 to 11/19/2016 with

University of Sydney: Sydney - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I got a sense of confidence and a good sense of self while I was abroad. I realized that I'm tougher than I give myself credit for, and that I know more than what I gave myself credit for. I was able to reevaluate myself and what I was studying in a different setting and more than the just the courses themselves, I was able to reaffirm my deep interest in the subject material.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I found the readings of the class more informative than the lectures themselves. The tutorials were the most helpful in terms of understanding the material through discussion.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Some things were done quite slowly like receiving my student ID, but otherwise, I had no problems with the administration.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in the Queen Mary Building which is part of the University of Sydney Student Accommodations. Though the rent was higher than what I pay at home, I was a 5 minute walk away from campus in the middle of Sydney, therefore, I think it was reasonable. The community that I found at the Queen Mary Building was unbelievable. It was very international with a combination of locals, Europeans, Americans and Asians I got to know people from around the globe.

* Food:

I cooked for myself in the communal kitchen in my dorm. I could usually keep my grocery costs to under $50/week, but eating out in Sydney is quite expensive unless you go to cheap Asian restaurants.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt very ingrained in my dorm culture. I must say that during my time in USyd, it was very hard to meet locals in my classes. I, however, met some Australians who I ended up traveling with.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was sent my healthcare card, but never had to use it.

* Safety:

I often went out quite late at night in the Newtown area, but I never felt unsafe because there are always people around. I often went out with groups of people and never went out alone.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

The relationships that I've made, the places I went to, the material that I was able to delve into and the discussions that I was able to have are all things that I want to keep with me for the rest of my life.

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 probably spent about $100 total on my food and personal expenses per week. But I did make a conscious effort to not spend too much money on extraneous purchases.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100-150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make a budget per week, and make two bank accounts. One that you put all of your money for housing and another that you use for personal expenses.

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

  • Dorm
* 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 relationships I made
  • The travel experience
  • The course reading material
* What could be improved?
  • Lectures
  • integration with locals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? nothing in particular. I did a lot of research beforehand. But I wish that I had started traveling earlier.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.