Relaxed and Playful times in Tassie Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., Clark University - Worcester) - abroad from 07/09/2012 to 11/04/2013 with

University of Tasmania: Hobart - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained much more independence and an ability to wake up everyday and truly think about what it was that I wanted to do. It was worthwhile to explore this and have ample time to reflect.

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.

Academic classes were not very engaging -- every lecture was recorded and put online, so going to class was not a necessity. Although the art school was more engaging, I feel like because of the lack of engagement in my other classes I was not as motivated to go to class and participate in discussions, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Orientation was successful in introducing me to other study abroad students, however, since I came in during spring semester, my integration with Australian students was not as prevelant

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Living in Christ College was a great way to meet people but it was always a challenge hiking up to my room after a night out with other international friends who lived in their own apartments closer to the city center of Hobart.

* Food:

Did not have easy access to a kitchen, but food at the college's cafe was alright

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Health system was helpful and usually accessible right away, but when I tried to get refunded by MediBank I realized that I needed an Australian bank account, which I never set up and therefore lost the $70 I could have gotten refunded

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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? $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Get an Australian bank account to avoid withdrawal and exchange charges

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? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* 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?
  • location
  • UTas Art School
* What could be improved?
  • timing
  • housing
  • costs
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How unpredictable the weather was and which classes were worth it, or not.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.