IFSA: Macquarie University Partnership

IFSA Macquarie Program is amazing! The IFSA staff, both in the US and on-site in Sydney were phenomenal, the nicest people I have ever met who really care about helping you through the study abroad process and giving you the amazing study abroad experience they promise! The on-site staff are always up to meet with you over coffee or lunch, even outside of the regular campus drop in meetings they hold every week or two. IFSA's 3 day orientation is, without a doubt, one of the best parts of the program. They pick you up from the airport and will even help you get a sim card before leaving the terminal. They help you get settled into your room at the YHA and bring you on a walking tour around Circular Quay, the main harbour area. IFSA also took us about 2 hours west of Sydney to the Blue Mountains for a picnic and hike, invited someone to give an Aboriginal cultural presentation, and took us on a dinner cruise on the harbour the final night of orientation. The IFSA team also gives very informative presentations on all the aspects of the upcoming semester, and will answer any questions you have. Finally, they provide transport to Macquarie and help you check in to your room, and walk you to the Centre to start shopping for room necessities. This orientation is also a great opportunity to get to know the people in your program, as opposed to just getting thrown into your student lodging without introductions to the other IFSA students. The housing at the Macquarie University Village is very nice, everyone will have their own bedroom and bathroom with a kitchen shared between the 5 people in your townhouse. The village consists mostly of other international students, who are all looking to meet people and experience new things like you are! The one downside is the distance to the Macquarie Centre, it is on the opposite side of campus so any groceries, take out, or shopping will require you to take the 410 bus, or walk about 20 minutes across campus. You will quickly get used to the bus schedule so it is really not a big issue at all. There is even a small market directly across the street from the village that is sufficient enough to hold you over if you only need a couple of things. The academics at Macquarie were outstanding, I even found the classes to be more hands on and informative than the ones at my home university. Pay special attention to any PACE units that look interesting, it is a great program! IFSA also offers a couple excursions throughout the semester, for our semester we were able to watch a play at the Opera House, and spend a weekend in the rural countryside staying on ranches with various trusted farmers. These are included in the program cost so definitely take advantage of them! As the Macquarie University program was the only IFSA offering in Sydney approved by my home university, I didn't have any way to be closer to the city. Getting into the city does take almost 45 minutes from Macquarie, but will take even less time as Sydney is currently in the process of extending the metro line that stops on campus. Overall, IFSA provided me with all the resources and activities to have the best 4.5 months of my life! The Macquarie group is typically much smaller than any of the IFSA cohorts at the other universities in Sydney, which I enjoyed, since we became so close and tight-knit that we did almost everything together. IFSA Macquarie is an amazing choice for your semester in Sydney, you will take amazing classes, meet amazing new friends, and experience all the amazing things Sydney has to offer!

I had an amazing experience Studying Abroad through IFSA. I come from a place where no one really leaves and before going abroad I had never left the East Coast. On top of that, I was a first generation college student from a working class family. I had no idea how to apply for a visa or passport or anything. IFSA staff was so helpful and I am still surprised that I got through the whole process without any problems. The months leading up to me leaving, I emailed my advisers obsessively but they were so helpful every time. I adored my advisors while I was in Australia and loved our trips! One weekend we stayed on a lovely couples farm and it ended up being the best couple days of my life. I really bonded with the Ifsa team and felt supported throughout the entire program!

Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for my time abroad. Sydney, Australia is one of the best cities in the world (and I say that as a Miami-native). It is expensive, which is why I ranked it average in terms of cost of living. But, you do get what you pay for. My meals were always delicious, the city is clean, I always felt safe, even at night! The people are incredibly friendly too! I truly felt right at home. My abroad program, IFSA-Butler, gave the perfect balance of autonomy and support. The first days in Sydney were spent with them, doing a much needed orientation. They were very transparent about rules and expectations, but also let us students have their free time to explore and learn for ourselves! It's also important to mention that IFSA-Butler has spectacular scholarship opportunities too, I know that was really important in determining if I would be able to go abroad. Academically, I have never experienced such freedom when it came time to choose my courses. Every class in every subject you could think of was available for me to take advantage of! The course load was fair enough where I wasn't stuck in a library 24/7 but I still felt like I was learning! I wouldn't change my time abroad for anything in the world... except maybe another opportunity to go back!