UGA - Warnell - Discover Abroad: Summer Australia: Caring for Country : Reviews (Atherton)
The following program review responses have been selected for publication by UGA StudyAway
Program Evaluation
Breanna E Horton,
Summer 2019 Participant
The locations were absolutely wonderful! The hostels and hotels chosen were safe, clean, and in wonderful locations for us to explore the towns. To my knowledge, no student on my study abroad had any issues with safety or theft. All of the bus drivers were kind and drove very safely, and the professors promoted very safe traveling practices by organizing us so that we'd comfortably be traveling in groups or pairs.
Ryley Amanda Beaumont,
Summer 2019 Participant
I would give ten stars if I could.
Abigail Marie Gill,
Summer 2017 Participant
At all the places we stayed I felt safe and comfortable, and actually the camping was one of the best parts! It was nice to get out of the city and into the outback, which is what I always think of when I picture Australia. My favorite places to stay were On the Wallaby, camping, QT in Port Douglas, and the farmstays.
Abigail Marie Gill,
Summer 2017 Participant
There was always an instructor there if we needed anything or had any questions. Loved the TAs!!!
Nicole Marie Googe,
Summer 2018 Participant
They genuinely cared about all of us having the best experience we could, and were willing to talk to us and work with us through any difficulties thatarose.
Abigail Marie Gill,
Summer 2017 Participant
I really wasn't sure what to expect and was worried that we would be stuck in lecture most of the time (6 credits in 3.5 weeks is a lot!), but it was extremely doable and nice to get out of the classroom and learn in the real community. For free time, there was plenty of opportunities to do our own thing and break off from the group. I feel like I got much more out of the trip from learning and having classwork than I would have if I was just on a vacation. Overall, it was an amazing experience and I recommend it to anyone wanting to visit Australia!
Jonathan Mcclain Shelnutt,
Summer 2018 Participant
This program exceeded my expectations by finding a balance between learning about history, sociology, ecology, and health and integrating those fields of study.
William Constantine Jones,
Summer 2019 Participant
The Great Barrier Reef was my favorite part. Being able to experience that place is incredible. Also, I loved the farm stay portion of the trip. That experience was very cool and much better than I thought it would be.
Breanna E Horton,
Summer 2019 Participant
The study abroad is fantastic, and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone! If you can, ask someone who as been on this study abroad about the program... that way you'll get all the information you need to feel prepared and comfortable. There is a 100% chance you'll at least enjoy some part of this trip if not everything!
Summer 2016 Participant
Most amazing trip I have ever been on! It was worth every penny, I learned so much about myself as well as Australian culture, health, and history of aboriginals.
Abigail Marie Gill,
Summer 2017 Participant
Do the group flight!! Being stuck sitting next to strangers for the first 16 hours of the trip is a great way to get to know the other people in your group, and you will feel much more comfortable knowing someone (at least a little bit) when you finally get to your destination.
Jonathan Mcclain Shelnutt,
Summer 2018 Participant
Don't be afraid to engage the locals in conversations about what you're learning! I had a great conversation about the pros and cons of the Carmichael mine with an Uber driver and I learned a ton about Australian politics from the homestay family. Australians are also very interested to hear American perspectives on things, so feel free to share!
Ryley Amanda Beaumont,
Summer 2019 Participant
I would highly recommend this trip for students looking for a "well-rounded" study abroad. The program is open to all majors and the content is very meaningful. I will never forget the things I learned, the experiences I had, and the friends I made there.
Summer 2016 Participant
Through this program, we had the opportunity to visit all parts of Australia, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Outback to large cities such as Sydney; we also had the opportunity to learn about a wide range of disciplines, such as Aboriginal culture, public health, and environmental science. Having these varieties made me feel like I was really able to see all parts of Australia from different points of view, and going on this program was one of the best experiences of my life.
Summer 2016 Participant
This is an experience you will never regret signing up for. It is truly unforgettable.
Sarah Gardner,
Summer 2016 Participant
Studying abroad in Australia opened my eyes to see that adventure is truly the best way to learn about a different country.
Summer 2016 Participant
Experience the trip of a lifetime with Discover Abroad!
Abigail Marie Gill,
Summer 2017 Participant
My trip to Australia was one of the most rewarding experiences that I've had since I came to college, and even before that. I recommend it to anyone thinking about traveling there because I definitely got more out of my trip by having classwork than I would have if I had just taken a vacation there. It was a great way to be submerged in the culture and give meaning to the trip, and I picture life in a different and better way now.
Summer 2017 Participant
Such a wonderful opportunity to meet people and see things you would have never expected! This was a life-changing experience, and I would go back in a heartbeat.
Summer 2017 Participant
Experience the transformational impacts of travel! Australia is an amazing country with immense culture and diversity!
Sydney North,
Summer 2017 Participant
I couldn't have asked for a better first trip abroad. Traveling through Australia rather than staying in one place made this study abroad an amazing experience and, in my opinion, better than other options for studying abroad.
Summer 2017 Participant
"This trip can be eye opening if you allow yourself to be attentive, and become interested in what people have to say. This trip makes you realize how connected the whole globe is and although you feel small your actions can have a huge impact."
Nicole Marie Googe,
Summer 2018 Participant
Truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Traveling through Australia with a group of strangers that became some of my best friends was incredible. SCUBA-diving in the Great Barrier Reef and looking around and seeing my best friends is something I will never forget, but it was surrounded with hundreds of tiny moments throughout the trip that made it a truly unforgettable and amazing experience.
Summer 2018 Participant
Discover Abroad taught me that progress is living in the moment. It is about experiencing the here and now. I truly enjoyed this trip and would recommend it to future participants.
Summer 2018 Participant
Best month of my life!
Jonathan Mcclain Shelnutt,
Summer 2018 Participant
This program offers firsthand experience of the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest, and the Outback with some of the most passionate, charismatic professors and local guides you'll ever meet.
Summer 2019 Participant
Truly an amazing way to see Australia! One day you'll be walking across the Sydney bridge. Then you'll be swimming at the Great Barrier Reef. After that, the next thing you know you'll be stargazing in the Outback!
Summer 2019 Participant
You learn so much and make close friends in a crazy short amount of time. I got so much out of this trip.
Breanna E Horton,
Summer 2019 Participant
Be friendly. Be adventurous. And be prepared for the experience of a lifetime in some of the most amazing locations on Earth with about 30 new best friends.
William Constantine Jones,
Summer 2019 Participant
"Get ready for the best summer of your life"