180 reviews
4.37 / 5 based on 180 reviews

Useful |
8
Mike W
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
Personal savings
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
Everything is very expensive in Australia. The telephone service I used the entire time was a pre-paid mobile phone, which cost 25 cents per minute for a local call, and calling cards which you could use from a pay phone and would cost you approximately 2 cents per minute (to call the US) I strongly recommend getting Skype as you can use it at internet cafes or if you get the internet in your residence. The housing was expensive but definitely worth it, it was $200 AUD per week for our house per person, but it was very nice and only 2 blocks from the ocean. Nightlife is very expensive compared to the normal University town in America, for a mixed drink (ie. Bourbon and Coke) you will pay between 6 and 9 AUD and for a pint of beer it will be between 4 and 8 AUD. The travel is expensive but well worth it, try to use Jetstar and Virgin Blue as they are much cheaper than flying Qantas. For the food, you should look out for bars that offer $5 steak night (Five-0 in Coogee offers very moderately priced meals 5-9 AUD) these aren't the best steaks but they are good and the portions are large.
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Overall, Food, Telephone, Nightlife, Travel, Housing:
was more expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
If coming from America I would suggest getting a Capital One credit card as they do not have a Foreign Transaction Fee. I did not have this card and on my Visa I was charged an extra 3% on everything I bought in the local currency. ATMs were available everywhere, and if you have an account with Bank of America you can easily find a Wespac ATM that does not charge you any fees. I would suggest Unwired for the internet as they offer a good plan for a decent price, and you don't have to get a bank account and everything to get a phone line, and you don't have to pay for the expensive phone line.
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Useful |
4
Mike W
Overall
I wish I had known...
I went not knowing a thing, and I feel that going in with no expectations made me enjoy the trip even more.
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In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
I would recommend this University over the other Sydney universities as the location is very good and the campus life and activity is excellent.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
I had an AMAZING experience and I would recommend my exact trip to anybody. For traveling I would definitely suggest the south island of New Zealand (I went with a tour group called Kiwi Experience, it was GREAT!) I went to Fiji on the way home and that was definitely an amazing trip, it was reasonably priced and gorgeous. Within Australia I would suggest a trip for a long weekend to Melbourne, as well as a trip down the east coast. I would definitely go sailing on the Whitsundays, (my boat was called "Spank Me" and it was a great time) I would do as much as you can around Sydney and do as much as possible. A budget alternative to doing the bridge climb is to climb the pillar (9 dollars instead of 200). Overall, an unbelievable trip.
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0
malgras g
Overall
I wish I had known...
i wanted above all to become an international profile with good english language skills
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In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
nothing special
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
i enjoyed my experience for many reasons: i traveled and met a new amazing country where i met people from all over the world who taught me a lot about culture and many subject. i learn a new lenguage which can allow me to communicate with more civilization.
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0
Maria L
Overall
I wish I had known...
Almost enverything developed as I expected
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In my opinion:
I loved it but I'm not sure everybody would.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
Personally, if taking an english course again, I would stay for a longer time (minimum 6 months)
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
Teachers were great, they gave us the support we needed regarding study, social activities and travel.
If its the best experience living abroad, I would recommend staying with a host family, they were really amazing!!!
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Useful |
4
Silvia P
Overall
I wish I had known...
Not really, as i was very prepared: i read a lot and i checked many websites.
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In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
I came from Italy, and in my country we don't have a campus or anything like that. i found UNSW campus very well organised and very nice. Moreover the people who worked at the study abroad office are so friendly that, after almost three years, we are still in touch! they even gave me references for the looking of a job!
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
I had the best experience ever! I met a lot of people, i visit a wonderful country, i became a better person, more indipendent and more social at the same time. I advice to everyone to live an experience like that, as it will stay with you forever.
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Useful |
1
Matthew J
Overall
I wish I had known...
Sydney is not as warm in the winter as they say...bring a coat...
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In my opinion:
I loved it but I'm not sure everybody would.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
I loved it. I caution people to look into any university before they go. Sydney is a big city, it is certainly not for everyone.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
Bring a book for the flight. Bring sleeping pills I flew for 34 hours to get to OZ (New York, Minn-St Paul, Los Angeles, Sydney, Adelaide, Darwin)
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