Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Loved living the rainforest life Past Review

By (Wildlife Ecology, Washington State University - Pullman campus) - abroad from 05/09/2012 to 08/14/2012 with

The School for Field Studies / SFS: Australia – Rainforest studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Extremely worthwhile. I learned exactly what I hoped to, met amazing people, made wonderful friends, saw the country I've always wanted to see.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Topics were wonderful, fieldwork and reports were rigorous but rewarding

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Nothing to improve

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

cold showers, bathrooms far

* Food:

we had a wonderful cook who was attentive to dietary restrictions

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We had time to go meet locals and visit the town, but we were very busy, so not as much time as some might have liked.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Doctor is a bit far, so it may not be as immediate as people want, but I don't think anyone had issues with it.

* Safety:

Students are taught how to be safe, always a staff member on duty, very safe town.

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)

Everything is included, so all you have to buy are souvenirs and any extra food you crave

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 30-50 dollars
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? bring as much as you can, especially medicines or dietary supplements because everything is more expensive there.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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 amazing staff. People who live on site with you and eat their meals with you and sacrific time they could be spending with loved one have a commitment to education and a passion for what they teach that is unsurpassed.
  • The field lectures and work and the trips we took.
  • The topics learned
* What could be improved?
  • shower heat
  • internet stability/speed
  • Some small aspects of site upkeep (not the fault of the staff: it's hard int he rainforest)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? that it would be cold at night, but warm during the day

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.