Filmmaking Study Abroad Programs in Australia

Tropical Marine Biology at Murdoch was a great short-term program. I didn't want to commit to a full semester abroad, so just one month in Australia was perfect! The teaching staff at Murdoch was exceptional, and the 10-day field camp up in Coral Bay was worth the whole trip. It was winter in Australia, so be cautious that you will be in Perth during their rainy season!

I traveled to Australia for a study abroad semester through USAC, and I had an excellent experience. I had the opportunity to meet many locals as well as other international students. I attended Griffith University, and the classes were fairly easy to immerse myself in as an international student. The area I was in, which was Gold Coast, Australia, was very walker-friendly and had good public transportation, and everything else went fairly smoothly. Since USAC is independent from my home university, it was a little difficult configuring my class schedule and numerous documents, but other than that it's smooth sailing.

Studying abroad in Sydney with CIEE was such an amazing experience. The staff were incredibly friendly, approachable, and always willing to help, especially when I was feeling a bit alone or just wanted something fun to do. The program itself is fantastic; there’s so much to do and explore in Sydney, and being at UNSW made it easy to take advantage of everything. Overall, it’s such an energizing and supportive environment, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to study abroad in Sydney!

Studying abroad in Australia has truly been the best experience of my life. From attending classes at Griffith University to exploring the beaches of the Gold Coast, every day felt like a new adventure. I’ve met incredible people from all over the world, and together we’ve created memories that will last forever — from weekend trips to Sydney and Byron Bay to spontaneous getaways to Bali and Fiji. This experience didn’t just expand my education; it expanded my view of the world. I’ve grown more independent, confident, and curious, and I’m grateful for every single moment of this journey. If you’re thinking about studying abroad, do it. It will change your life in ways you can’t even imagie.

Looking back on my abroad journey, I wouldn’t change a thing. I have grown so much as a person and I truly think I have found who I am. I never thought I would enjoy being so independent and on my own, however, I love it. I would recommend this program and this place to everyone, however, I am selfish to say that I truly think you get what you put in to it. I woke up everyday at around 5am and began my day. I truly think I made the most out of my experience and that is something I will never regret. Overall I had the time of my life!

I went through USAC to the Brisbane campus of Griffith University, and it was one of the most fun semesters I've ever had! The program staff were so helpful and knowledgeable at each step of the trip, which really made the process easy. I really enjoyed staying on campus and getting to make new friends, both Australian students and exchange students from all over the world! I appreciated the flexibility of the campus options, though I thought it was silly that you could only study at one when several of the other campuses were only a short bus or shuttle ride away. There was so much to see and so many different experiences close by that there is something for everyone. As an outdoorsy person I loved that the campus backed up to a forest reserve! I loved my time in Australia and met some friends I still keep in constant contact with almost a year later!

I had an amazing time I previously had talked to some friends that were going off of Instagram. Then I met them when I arrived and we haven’t stopped talking since I came. They are now flying over to come and see me again.

I absolutely adored my semester on the gold coast. Living in the student apartments was definitely the way to go, I met so many people my age, and they throw LOTS of fun events. There is a tram that takes you so many places around the city, I definitely didn't feel like I needed a car. The night life is so fun. The best part was how easily I made friends and felt like I meshed in with the local students. The friends I made I will stay in touch with for the rest of my life. I went during the end of February, and the weather was hot, but it was the perfect time to go in my opinion because it started to cool down in about April/May. When I was trying to decide where to go in Australia, I did some research but honestly picking the gold coast was a bit of a guess and hope situation. I am so thankful I picked the gold coast, it was the most perfect environment and best time ever.

Studying abroad in Sydney, Australia was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. From the moment I arrived, Sydney lived up to every expectation and dream I had for my abroad experience. Waking up just minutes from the beach, exploring the iconic Opera House, and taking weekend trips to some of the most breathtaking places in the world made every day feel surreal. Studying at UNSW challenged me academically while also allowing me the flexibility to travel weekly and enjoy everything my host city had to offer. While many people don't expect it, there was a bit of a culture shock with the Aussie slang and slower pace of life. Engaging with locals and other international students made the experience so meaningful and transformational. I will never forget the amazing Australians who welcomed me with open arms and showed me what Australia was all about. Looking back at my four months in Australia, this experience shaped me into a more confident, independent, and open-minded person. Studying abroad pushed me beyond my comfort zone and gave me a new perspective of the world. I will always be grateful for this experience.

My study abroad was an experience I have thought about every single day since I left. I was in the Gold Coast of Australia and it was amazing. Everything about it fit my lifestyle so well; outdoors, activity, beach, fitness, city, and much more! I was able to travel more than I could have ever imagined and experience cultures and lifestyles that have opened my eyes to really appreciate the little things. I was able to grow as an independent individual while also making life long friends. If you are scared to go alone, just do it! I went alone and can easily say it was the best decision I could’ve made for myself!!

I studied at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia under the TEAN program. Academics were rigorous and stimulating at UNSW, but I appreciated taking only 3 classes per term since it allowed me more time to explore Sydney and Australia as a whole. Lab and seminar/discussion-based classes were the best way to make local friends! TEAN staff were amazing! They were extremely helpful and so sweet. I hung out with and really got to know my TEAN RD on a personal level while also knowing that they could also help me with any questions or issues I had. Housing was a mixed bag. I lived on UNSW campus and it was mostly fine. I started out living in a unit that had cockroaches. However, my RD advocated for me and the other students and we were moved into other housing quickly. I had friends living in the other accommodations option, living off campus about 15 minutes from UNSW, which was obviously superior to the on campus option. The only real benefit to living on campus was reducing commute time by a couple of minutes. I rarely ever felt unsafe in Sydney, even as a woman. Public transport and walking around at night in well lit areas was also very safe. Obviously, it is still important to apply common sense and avoid danger as much as possible, but otherwise, there was very little risk. Overall, I had an amazing experience and I would totally recommend studying abroad with TEAN in Sydney! I would recommend participating in all of the excursions, especially the surfing lesson!

While spending over five months living abroad as a student, I observed various cultural aspects within Australia that emphasized the nation's unique identity. The biggest cultural shifts and adaptations I saw while living in Australia were between the significance of sports within their society and the influences that the environment took within daily lives. In Australia, the significance of sports and the environment is an integral part of life, shaping their culture as a whole. One of the classes I took whilst participating in my study abroad was Sport and Learning in Australian Culture (EDUH), which a lot of the other study abroad students were taking also. This class allowed students the opportunity to participate in attending sporting events such as, The Australian Football League, Rugby, Cricket, Soccer, Horse Racing, Greyhound Racing, Surfing, Lifeguard training, and much more. This was my favorite class while studying abroad because it showed me and other students what Australian sports culture is all about. Furthermore, with my program manager TEAN, our group was able to attend numerous field trips including tours of the Blue Mountain National Park, Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo, Sydney’s Botanical Gardens, and much more. This allowed the group to immerse themselves within the environment that so many Australians are used to daily. Within the EDUH class and the TEAN field trips, I observed Australian culture through the lens of a local. While attending events from events within my EDUH class and field trips from my TEAN program I found that Australians rely on their sporting culture and environment to boost their significance within the world. I think that because Australia is so big of a country, yet has a little population, it makes it seem like the world is small while being there, yet so big at the same time. While being there I would often see the same faces, meet with friends at the same cafes or restaurants, go to the same beaches, the same parks, and much more. This has a huge roll of the environment within Australia. I was lucky enough to stay at a famous beach called Bondi Beach for a couple of weeks, and while being there I found that the environment of being there changed my mindset greatly. My friends and I were talking about how there are so many Australians surfing on a random Tuesday at 11:00 a.m., wondering if they even work or not. We later asked a local this exact question and their answer was solely related to their environment stating “I would rather live a happy lifestyle surfing and doing the things I want and working 2 days a week, rather than working 80-hour weeks like you Americans do.” This changed my perspective on how an environment can change everything about your life entirely. I really enjoyed this type of lifestyle/perspective for a while, however, after a while I learned that it is not for me. A lot of Australians seemed comfortable with where they are and not wanting any more out of life, while it seems like the complete opposite in the U.S.A. This could be because I am used to the lifestyle of always working and trying to get more money to enjoy life with traveling, I found that most Australians don’t think that way, most Australians I’ve had conversations with haven’t left their country at all. I think that this lifestyle is solely based on what you want from life and it’s okay to think either way. Furthermore, one of my favorite sporting events in Australia was the Australian Football League. This is quite similar to American Football yet with their Australian twist. From my own perspective, I found that Australians love their sports and use them as a way to go beyond fun, however, they use them for community and identities. This goes the same for how my host country acts with the sport of American Football. I am from a city called Buffalo in New York, and by far our biggest identity is our Football team. Whether it’s at home with family watching the game or attending the game in person the Buffalo Bills football team is without a doubt talked about in every household in this city. Much like Australians we use sports as a way to shape our culture and to shape our identity throughout the world, creating a positive image for the rest of the world to see us in. However, the environment doesn’t play nearly as much of a role as the Australian environment plays. The environment within Buffalo consists of some restaurants and Niagara Falls, while the environment in Australia consists of numerous parks, the Sydney Opera House, gardens, monuments, cafes, restaurants, and much more. My host country and Australia, have a huge cultural dependence on sporting events, however, my host country is less dependent on the environment while Australia is huge on the environment. This changed my perspective less on the sporting events, but mostly on the environment. Reflecting on my time abroad, I’ve gained an understanding of the cultural prominence of environment and sports within Australia especially how they’ve shaped societal values and national identity. I was surprised by how different and prominent Australian sports are within their culture, not just as an entertainment source, but as a social influence that connects people of all ages, backgrounds, regions, and much more. The environment for me was even more important seeing as how it played such a huge role in the culture. Looking forward, these experiences will shape my influence on community building, friendships, professional life, and much more, especially when considering the value of responsibility while engaging in diverse environments and other cultures.

After having a semester back at my home university, I have had ample time to reflect on my study abroad experience at the University of Sydney. In all honesty, I loved absolutely everything about my experience and truly have nothing but great words to speak about the university, the city, and the TEAN program I went with. The University of Sydney was a gorgeous campus, I loved each of my courses and professors, and met some local Aussie's which enhanced my experience even more! The city of Sydney always had something fun going on, from Lunar New Year to Vivid Sydney, and I found myself so happy to wander around at any free chance I had! I loved being in the city but also being so close to the beach AND the mountains, it truly was the perfect mix of everything I love. I always felt safe, and loved the ability to hop onto the many forms of public transportation to really make the most out of my Sydney exploration! I also cannot thank TEAN enough for the role they played in my experience. My orientation week in Cairns and visit to the Great Barrier Reef my first week in AUS was truly a once in a lifetime experience and something I will cherish forever. Throughout the semester, TEAN did a phenomenal job at hosting fun events to reconnect all of the students together and provided a lot of support! I would like to give a special thanks to Cate Chase for making my abroad experience with TEAN so great:) Lastly, my semester abroad in Australia allowed me to have the opportunity to travel to other countries closer than they would be in the U.S. I visited Fiji, New Zealand, Bali, Vietnam, and Thailand. I have so much gratitude for these experiences and will remember this semester abroad forever. Thank you TEAN and thank you Sydney, I will be back someday (hopefully very soon!!!).

There’s a reason why they call Australia “down under.” As soon as I landed in Sydney, I got it—not just because it’s literally below everything on the map, but because everything here feels kinda upside down. The sun’s in the opposite part of the sky, the wildlife is straight-up wild (I still can’t believe kangaroos just chill in parks), people do not wear shoes outside (kinda weird ngl) and the Aussie slang has me confused half the time. But what really makes it "down under" is the laid-back vibe. Whether I’m wandering through The Rocks, hanging out at Bondi Beach, or catching a sunset at the Opera House, I’ve totally embraced the fact that life here is just a little more carefree- and a lot more adventurous. I’ll be honest, it’s nerve-wracking to travel to the opposite side of the world alone, especially when you don’t know anyone. But once you get here, it’s so worth it. I ended up meeting so many amazing people. We’d go out and hang all the time—went to music festivals in Melbourne, did a road trip in New Zealand, and even went bungy jumping, rafting, and hiking (which took 13 hours, so pro tip: wear good shoes). We went surfing, did yoga, checked out bars, and so much more. My program, TEAN, also set up activities like going to the Great Barrier Reef, touring the Opera House, and even giving us surfing lessons. Overall, if someone asked me what’s the best thing I’ve ever done, I’d probably say studying abroad. Take the risk—it’s totally worth it!

My semester abroad was the best semester of college so far! The classes were challenging because the academics in Australia are very different, but the TEAN staff as well as USYD were very helpful in helping me with the learning curve. Sydney was such a fun city to live in and I had the time of my life!!!

Every day I think about my experience in Australia. Waking up to the waves everyday is the best thing ever. Australia is the best place in the world. The nicest people imaginable and super welcoming. The USAC program helped a lot being super flexible and helping you not just as a group but individually as well.

This trip was a truly unique, life-changing experience. I studied at Griffith University on the Gold Coast and stayed at the Surfers Century apartments, which I loved. The apartment was new, clean, modern, fully furnished, and beautiful. I had the opportunity to travel to incredible places like New Zealand and Bali. Just this past weekend, I visited Saint Louis to reunite with my study-abroad friends! Through the USAC program and this experience, I made lifelong friendships and experienced significant personal growth.

I loved going to the Gold Coast. I met such a diverse group of people and had an amazing time living in Australia. Would recommend going during term 1 because it’s not as hot! Loved the location! Plenty of things to do and has public transportation! I had to use USAC through my school and it was the absolute worse. Made apply for school and housing harder than it needed to be. Same with my VISA, class application, getting my housing deposit back etc. Don’t use them!

Studying in Sydney at USYD was the best decision I could've made. Australia is one of those regions where you need a good amount of time rather than a 2-week vacation where you can plan a mid-semester break to New Zealand or a weekend trip down in Tasmania. We were placed in a great and safe part of the city which is on the outskirts of the CBD, but also near a shopping centre and 10-minute walk to campus. It is such a vibrant, multicultural, and touristy city that you'll never run out of things to do. While the courses at the insanely beautiful University of Sydney's campus are pretty vigorous, the professors, TAs, and students are kind enough to help and many resources are there to help. There are countless ways to get involved on campus with a diverse array of clubs such as the Chocolate Society, book club, bushwalkers, and societies appropriate for your studies.

I have loved this experience! Being abroad with a supportive helpful group was such a game changer, I was so nervous traveling abroad alone for the first time and the CIEE staff and other participants have helped it be a super smooth transition and trip:)