IES Abroad Sydney Direct Enrollment

Going abroad to Australia was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I had the opportunity to see things, do things, and meet so many amazing people. IES abroad definitely made the abroad process easier. I was placed in the university village for village which turned out to be amazing. Being in the university village allowed us to meet so many Australians and other people abroad and was a lot of fun. The village was also great for hanging out in, and there were always people who were willing to talk to you.

Studying in Sydney, while different then in the US, was also cool. I had the chance to take a sports class which mostly consisted of attending popular sporting events in Australia. This class gave me the chance to see an AFL game, multiple Rugby games, and even allowed me to try bowls. This class was definitely a highlight to my abroad experience.

Going abroad with IES also had a lot of bonuses. IES planned multiple events during our first few days in Sydney such as hiking the blue mountains, going to a wildlife park, and going on a dinner harbour cruise. These activities were a lot of fun and a great way to see some amazing sights. Our IES program also had a trip to the Royal National Park which was amazing. This park was beautiful and although it was freezing, we had the chance to go swimming in a swimming hole. Such and incredible experience. For our mid-semester break, IES also planned a trip up to Cairns to go snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef and jungle surfing in the Daintree Rainforest. This trip was AMAZING and definitely one of the highlights to my time abroad.

Besides travelling with IES, I had the chance to travel around Australia and to New Zealand both with friends and by myself. I definitely recommend exploring as much as Australia as you can, but also go to surrounding countries as these are incredible experiences.

Overall my time abroad was amazing and I cannot believe it is already over. I loved every minute of it and am thankful for all of the experiences I had. I cannot wait to go back there dome day!

I chose to study abroad so that I was not one of those adults saying "I wish I had studied abroad in college." I did not want the regret of wishing I had gone away. I know people who don't study abroad and say, "I will when I'm older." In reality, how easy will it be to travel for four months with a professional career and a family?

Study abroad Australia introduced me to beautiful beaches, unforgettable friends from all over the world, intriguing cities, and the most memorable experiences. I lived in the village apartments at UNSW with five other girls from all over the world. Beijing, Malaysia, Singapore, and England. Most students in the village apartments were international students like myself. I had my own room and shared a kitchen, two bathrooms, and a common room.

The most memorable experiences I had were snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, jungle surfing in the Daintree Rainforest, traveling to different parts of Australia on the weekends, visiting New Zealand and Thailand, and living 1.6 miles from the beach.

I would 100% recommend IES to other students. Before departure, they give you all the essential information and really prepare you. While abroad, they organize many day trips and dinners which immerse you in the culture and take you to places you most likely wouldn't go otherwise.

This was a life changing experience, as cliche as that may sound. I made friends from all over the world, and would not trade this opportunity for anything. The biggest difficulty I had was becoming homesick about midway through my trip because of the drastic time difference. However, not a day went by that I was bored. There was always something new and exciting to do, which made feeling homesick much easier. By the time I had to leave, I wasn't ready to leave, and I called Australia my second home!

My time at the University of Sydney was undoubtedly the best experience I have had in my life thus far. Although initially somewhat nervous about traveling so far by myself, IES staff made me feel comfortable and excited. Orientation and resources provided by IES allowed me to become comfortable with the city of Sydney right away, and within only a few days the Sydney University Village felt like home. With the Uni right across the street, my day to day life consisted of walking to class, hanging out with my roommates and friends, and then heading out for a night on the town near the Opera House and Sydney's CBD. I fully recommend studying in Australia, especially in my favorite city, Sydney.

IES Abroad is a fantastic organization that caters to every student's need prior to departure and upon arrival. Our program director was kind, helpful, and fun to be around. Every day was a new adventure in Sydney, whether it was exploring the city, hiking the rugged coastline, or earning a scuba diving certification. The people, culture, and environment were truly amazing. The experience helped me grow into a more well-rounded and confident individual. Studying abroad with IES truly enabled me to challenge myself and become the best version of who I am.