IFSA: University of Queensland Partnership

Going to Brisbane, Australia and studying at the University of Queensland was one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life! I went abroad my junior year of college in the fall. I had to go earlier than most abroad programs (left in early July), so I was already so nervous. IFSA's staff was incredible. As soon as I got off the plane, my IFSA advisor helped me get a SIM card to contact my parents and tell them we landed. IFSA staff does a great job of being attentive and responding immediately to anything which may concern you. Whether it was directions to a bus stop or picking a place to go for the weekend, IFSA acted as a family would. They were my rock. They gave me advice. I was able to contact them about big and small issues. Also, IFSA planned several group trips, such as one to Morton Island, which was incredible! All you had to do was show up and be ready for an amazing weekend! Also, the University of Queensland's campus was breathtaking. It was the perfect place to get out after class and stroll on campus to a coffee spot or visit the library. I felt very comfortable navigating through campus. I love the sun shine and being outdoors, so studying on this campus involved days of reading outside on my favorite park bench. Brisbane stole my heart. The people, the memories, the friends. Everything I made there is irreplaceable. Going halfway around the world was worth every second. I visited beaches, met new people, and traveled around Australia while being a student as well. I got to surf and see kangaroos. I got to experience independence while never feeling alone. I highly suggest looking into IFSA's University of Queensland Study Abroad Program! I was worried about my studies while abroad, but travel and school was manageable. Also, the sunshine made me excited for each and every day!

From Day one, when my pre-advisor contacted me with the necessary steps I had to take to get ready for abroad, I knew there were a lot of little details I had to work out (i.e. cell phone plan, getting credit card without international fees, obtaining Australian money, what I should/shouldn't pack, etc.). My pre-advisor could not have been more helpful! She answered all my questions in a timely fashion, and she gave me great advice when I wanted her opinion. Once I got to Australia, I could not have been more blessed with the Student Service Coordinator (SSC) I had. She really cared how each of us were doing, both inside and outside of school. She wanted to make the transition to and from abroad as effortless as possible. She would hold coffee chats so we could hang out and talk with her. She was able to help me on some big decisions. And most importantly, she was always there for me (including leaving her family to sit with me in the ER until 1am just so I wouldn't be alone). Having such a caring SSC really made my abroad experience memorable!

IFSA was such a gift to- and really did define- my study abroad experience. From the constant presence of resources and information that lasted from my first thoughts about studying abroad to my re-acclimation to school in the U.S., to the easing into Australian culture and life at the orientation in Sydney, to the wonderful friends that filled my time in Australia with so much comfort and joy, I cannot imagine having studied abroad without IFSA. For example, as an introvert and someone who is slow to warm up to new places and new things, it was immensely comforting to ease into the novelty of studying abroad with IFSA's extensive support and staff. Learning about Australian Aboriginal communities that first day at the orientation in Sydney opened the door not only for many further conversations with other IFSA students, but also for personal academic exploration and work. Thus, I most appreciate the organization, orientation, and information that IFSA was able to provide, allowing for a smooth transition and quick adjustment to a new place, which enabled a much more full, engaging, and transforming experience.