<p>Responding as a father of a 2011 NUin student in the Australia program. We had much the same initial reaction of confusion and scepticism about the program. It turned out to be a brilliant experience for my daughter. She had never travelled abroad, but was ready and willing for the experience. Orientation (mandatory) helped a great deal to understand the logistics and support systems, and to reassure parents she would be fine.</p>
<p>The coursework was appropriate to her major, of good quality, and transferrable. The teaching style was different in Australia, less formal and better relationship between students and profs. That quality made for a good transition from HS. One of the courses fulfilled a core requirement and dealt with aboriginal culture. Another was a required service learning course, which allowed her to apply her marketing skills to promote a local campus center and become involved with locals.</p>
<p>There were lots of opportunities for field trips, both sponsored and on her own. These made up for some of the extra cost, which also included travel to/from Australia and the sponsored outings.</p>
<p>During the semester abroad, she developed very close relationships with nearly all of the 120 or so NU students, and many other students from Australia and around the world. The students were assigned to campus apartments with at least one NUin student, but also with other students. They prepared their own meals, usually communally with other students; typical apartment student housing.</p>
<p>The transition to the Boston campus was flawless. She was assigned to an upperclass dorm, and spent one semester there after which she knew she wanted an off-campus apartment with friends. Her connections with other NUin students resulted in much more extensive social connections than the upperclass students in her dorm. Rather than being a barrier, the NUin program actually gave her a leg-up in that regard.</p>
<p>The experience abroad contributed, in my opinion, to maturity, independence and self-confidence. The program might not be right for every student, but if you’re ready to cut the strings (with appropriate support always available) NUin is actually a great way to jump start a college career.</p>