Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Weird Slang, Theater, French People, and Beaches: A Memoir Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 03/06/2017 to 06/23/2017 with

University of Sydney: Sydney - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The main thing was amazing friends from all over the world. I met AMAZING people who I will stay in touch with forever. That's a great feeling.It was so so so worth it.

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.

While I enjoyed the subject material of my classes, I was unused to the structure of the classes and found them to be not very challenging.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They gave me all the information I needed and made everything very easy.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

There were no on campus dorms. I lived in a for profit dorm/apartment building that was pretty expensive and charged lots of extras for everything. While the experience was fine, I felt a little taken advantage of.

* Food:

I cooked for myself for the first time! It was easy and wonderful. When eating out there were lots of funky restaurants and bars to choose from around campus.

* 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

I wouldn't trade this experience for anything and I have no regrets. But I occasionally found myself wishing I had pushed myself more by going somewhere more culturally different from the U.S.

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? $150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook at home and if there are any transportation deals for students take advantage of them!

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

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local 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?
  • People
  • Campus
  • Living in an urban setting
* What could be improved?
  • Preparation for large class size
  • Everything in Sydney closes early!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Take a deep breath, you can deal with a lot of things when you arrive, people will help you there is no need to panic.

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 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.