darkpenguin

I definitely want to study abroad either in the summer or next fall in Australia. The problem is which should I do? If I go for a semester I would be able to go through my school, and for the summer I am looking at programs on my own. Most of them I am looking at are unpaid internships where you work 40 hours a week. The majority of them are 6 week programs (also a 6 week course program at University of New South Wales), but there are a few 10 week programs which is what I am looking at doing.

Is a semester that much better of an experience than a summer? If I went for a semester I would have to deal with subleasing and finding an apartment with someone else whose going abroad just for the spring when I get back, missing out on recruiting (I am a business major and next year will be looking for my BIG internship), and missing out on campus. In addition, their semester runs mid July through mid November so I would have some awkward breaks and am not sure what I would do with them.

On the other hand, the summer programs are pretty expensive and I don't know how I feel about working 40 hours a week for free while trying to absorb Sydney. In addition, it would be winter there (opposite hemisphere) and I don't know if I would fully get to appreciate Australia.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Also, if you know of any good summer programs in Australia, please share.

onetwothreefour

Can't help with most of your questions, but remember that Sydney winters are relatively warm compared to most of the world. (I can't, sadly, say the rest for Melbourne, where I am.)

I imagine the Wikipedia page for Sydney'll have that little graph of maximum/minimum temperatures by month, so you might want to check that out.

If you like hot weather though, an Australian summer can't be beaten.

flgirl04

Whenever you go, I'm sure it will be an amazing experience. Several of my friends have studied abroad in Australia and New Zealand. One loved it so much she never came back. She transferred.

mishdoob1

have you looked at australearn.org?

Summer and January Short-Term Programs with AustraLearn

I'm going to Melbourne in Feb for the "spring"
semester - can't wait!

Chloegal

I'm from Australia, not sure about all the exact details but NSW uni has alot of International students, so you should feel at home..lol.

And in regards to Aus winter (not sure where you are from, and what you are use too) but it's usually not that cold.
Around 15 °C or so would be a very cold day.

Good Luck!

anothermom-w-q

My D is planning to go...if you are considering the semester program, look at the dates. My D is not sure yet if she is going this fall or spring...but the fall semester starts in July, and goes through part of November. The spring one goes through part of July.
The program she is interested in is at University of New South Wales. Either way she loses part of her summer (and as a performer possible theatre jobs).

crazyyak

there's always tasmania...