Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Spring Friendly in Sydney September 02, 2026

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/12/2026 to 06/01/2026 with

University of Sydney: Sydney - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I got to explore a new part of the world and

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? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Relatively easy classes. Attendence is only mandatory for tutorials which are typically once a week. Lots of interesting course subjects to choose from, professors are very nice and accessible. Learned a lot!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

While the professors and teaching assistants were all very helpful and accomadating, the actual exchange director at the university of sydney was no help at all. Would rarely, if ever, respond to emails, had limited office hour times, and was very bad at explaining registering for classes (registering for classes there is a little difficult at first because the system is just so different then what we're use to in the US).

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived off campus so I don't have experience with university of sydney housing but I heard pretty good things. Living off campus may make it harder to meet people if you don't already know anyone going abroad. A lot of people live in scape housing as well which is a good choice.

* Food:

Lots of fun and cool restaurants to choose from around Sydney. Not that much different than the US though.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt like I was mostly friends wirh other Americans or exchange students. Universities in Australia are typically commuter so all the Australians in your classes are commuting from home, making them a little less sociable with the exchange students. That being said, I loved all the people I met and still had a great time!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

We are given health insurance and you are able to use it while abroad. I do not have any experience with this but I know some people who used it and they didn't have too hard of a time figuring it out.

* Safety:

Safest place and city I have ever been to. I have travelled a lot, been to almost every continent and can hands down say Sydney is the safest city I have ever visited. Walked alone and took the metro/ bus late into the night and never felt uncomfortable.

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

I had the best time ever in Sydney. Got to explore a lot of other cities, was always at the beach, everyone is very active, lots of bar trivia!

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? 100-150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you drink alchol (excluding wine), buy it at duty free in the US before coming. It is taxed very high.

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
  • 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 beach
  • The campus
  • The public transit
* What could be improved?
  • Student housing support
  • Registering for classes support
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That internal flights in australia are a little expensive so to book in advance. Register for classes that all have tutorial on one day so you only have class once a week.

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

EDUH4058: Sport and Learning in Australian Culture
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: Most important class to take if abroad at USyd. Lots of cool field trips and very fun way to intergrate into Australian culture. Best class to meet people also studying abroad.
Credit Transfer Issues: Not a class that transfers back over but worth taking anyways