TV & Media Production Study Abroad Programs in Australia

Grew up on food stamps, never thought I'd actually leave the U.S. and see someone else's world. It was amazing! Loved my classes and internship, especially Race, Diversity and Difference, hearing first hand accounts from those that have experienced racism, colorism, systemic issues was interesting, I've only learned of those problems from someone that can't experience it and they speak on it from a historical pov. Housing was fine, it was my first time living with people that wasn't family. The biggest issue is the fact that washing and drying costs $5 dollars each! I started hand washing as I'd rather that money go towards food. Expensive country but I wouldn't trade it for the world. But the apartment is buggin out for making us pay to wash our clothes, rent per week is crazy high. The program itself, was amazing, the activities were fun and any staff I interacted with were extremely helpful. Especially Andrea, any questions would be answered, she'd even ask questions to see how we were doing, I went to Byron Bay because of her. I think of Byron Bay everyday. I preferred to be alone, but I do wish I had asked to hang out with people from classes, not upset about not doing it but wishing I had. Hang out with people, get on the train and explore a new area, walk the beaches until the sun sets. Make memories, try new foods, be open to new things. Going abroad was a trial to see if I wanted to do more, might go to Italy Japan in the future. I do know that I want to do my masters, but now I'm unsure of where to go, Sweden or back to Sydney? I'll figure it when the time comes. Thank you AIFSAbroad.

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!

I loved this experience I endured in January! Although it was a little bit difficult to navigate the course work, I still had a blast! I absolutely loved be able to surf and go on so many excursions that were offered! (Especially skydiving ;)

My time in Sydney with IES Abroad was a memory I'll keep for the rest of my life. Although it had its hard moments (don't underestimate how much homesickness or a hard class can hit you), there were so many amazing experiences I got to have, like seeing quokkas in person or building a group of friends from all over the world. It was a great opportunity to expand my horizons and learn who I am as a person halfway across the world from the same people and places I've always known.

My study abroad experience in Sydney, Australia with IES Abroad was nothing short of transformative. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed into a vibrant, multicultural city that offered endless opportunities for both academic growth and personal exploration. One of the standout aspects of my experience was the incredible support from IES Abroad. The on-site staff were always available to help, whether it was navigating the academic system, offering travel tips, or organizing cultural events. The IES-organized excursions, like trips to the Blue Mountains and surf lessons at Bondi Beach, were not only fun but also helped me bond with fellow students and immerse myself in Australian culture. Academically, studying in Sydney was an enriching experience. My courses were engaging and complemented by hands-on learning opportunities, such as field trips and guest speakers. I was able to deepen my understanding of global issues while exploring Australia’s unique ecosystem, history, and culture. Outside the classroom, I made unforgettable memories exploring Sydney. Whether it was watching a sunrise at the Sydney Opera House, hiking coastal trails, or discovering hidden cafes, the city had so much to offer. I made lifelong friends along the way by saying yes to new experiences, inviting classmates to explore the city together, and stepping outside my comfort zone. One of the highlights of my trip was a spontaneous weekend getaway that introduced me to my closest friends, reminding me that sometimes the best connections happen unexpectedly. Overall, IES Abroad made it easy to navigate the challenges of living in a new country, and Sydney became a second home. I cannot recommend this program enough for students looking for a balance between academics, adventure, and cultural immersion. My time in Sydney has given me lifelong memories, friendships, and a new perspective on the world.

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:)

I dreamt about going to Australia since I was old enough to remember. I always had this mental map of what I expected it to look and feel like, but studying abroad through USAC showed me so much for than I planned for. The unique culture of Melbourne, the laid back attitudes, famous coffee, and the student experience all combined to make my time abroad amazing. I learned so much about myself while abroad, and I will highly recommend any student looking for a study abroad to go through USAC and consider the Melbourne program. This experience was irreplaceable by far, and I made lifelong best friends from around the world.

I am studying abroad at Deakin University in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and I am having a wonderful time! I have never had the chance to travel to another continent, so this opportunity to live in Australia has been a life-changing experience. Being able to take a day trip to adventure in the mountains, relax at the beach, or explore the central business district has been fun and unique. This has opened my eyes to how exciting travel is, and I can't wait to continue adventuring. Coming from a small town in Minnesota, this is the first time I have ever been able to do any of these experiences with such ease. Even more exciting has been the friends I have made along the way, especially my roommate! He was very helpful in immersing me in the environment and introducing me to this new lifestyle, and I presume that we will continue to be good friends, even after I go back home. My time in Melbourne has been the best experience of my life, and I hope that one day I will be able to come back!

I loved my time in Sydney Australia. The city was awesome and full of things to do. The atmosphere was safe and friendly. I made a lot of great friends from all over the world that I still keep in contact with. The academics are challenging but also very rewarding. I would highly recommend to anyone.

Before I arrived in Australia, we had pre-departure meetings that explained everything to us in detail & got us (in my opinion) pretty prepared for what to expect. We were greeted pretty much upon arrival in Sydney and now that my exchange has ended I truly could not have had a better time. I met the most amazing people and friends, my AIFS advisor Andrea was the best ever (we called her our Aussie mum), we always felt taken care of. AIFS had field trips planned also so we could see some iconic tourist spots and we went together with our program which made it more fun too. Our living was nice in a safe building with lots of security and super close to campus but also near the light rail which made public transport so easy. I could not have had a better experience and I’d do it again 100x over if I could

Before coming to Sydney, AIFS had meetings with us so we’d know just what to expect which definitely made us all feel better. Once we got here we met eachother & our advisor and from then on it was nothing short of the best experience. The trips we all took together & friendships we’ve made I couldn’t have asked for more

I remember when I first talked to my advisor about possibly studying abroad. As soon as I expressed my desire, I was immediately told "Yes! That would be such a good thing for you!" Suddenly whirlwind year of applying, prepping, planning, and saving passed, and I found myself and leaving my home country for the first time ever with a final destination of Melbourne, Australia. I was accepted into a USAC study abroad program in which I would I would be living in Geelong, Victoria which is a city about an hour south of Melbourne. Once I arrived, I quickly fell in love with the smaller city feel and the ocean vibes. I lived a little under a mile (or about 2 kilometers as they say) from the ocean. As time went on, I quickly became friends with my housemates and classmates, and they were able to show me many little adventures. I went on lots of hiking trips and was able to experience a completely new part of life. Eventually, my fabulous four months came to an end. When I returned to my home campus in the following fall, I was able to look my advisor in the eye and honestly say, "You're right, that was a really good thing for me."

I loved my program. I got to meet so many interesting people from all over the world, not just Australians. I also got to see more than just Melbourne. I went on multiple trips, including the Great Ocean Road and the Great Barrier Reef. This program is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.

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!

I applied to this program at the last minute after making an impulsive decision to study abroad in Australia with my friend. I'm so thankful I went with my gut and chose to study abroad in Sydney through IFSA. Everyone I was in contact with there through the whole application process and arriving in Sydney was extremely helpful and cared about giving the students an amazing experience. While in Sydney, I always felt like there was support from IFSA staff available at any time, yet they allowed you to experience your study abroad in your own unique way. I can't emphasize enough how much I loved Sydney and how happy I was there- I'd move back in a heartbeat. I'm so grateful IFSA was able to facilitate such an incredible study abroad experience for me!

Three of the biggest aspects I wanted to achieve on my study abroad experience were: a stress-free time, immersion, and credits that would transfer to my home university. Studying aborad at UNSW, through IFSA-Butler, could not have been more perfect for all of these goals and more. Australia's laid back nature was perfect, and being right next to so much nature (beaches, mountains, etc.) made it almost impossible to be stressed. UNSW also has so many classes available that you are almost guaranteed to find courses to transfer back for credit. The only aspect of my goal that you might have to work towards is immersion. UNSW is a big international school so it is easy to not branch out and meet locals, but Sydney is so big and there are so many opportunists if you work for it!

If I was asked to list my feelings before studying abroad to Sydney, Australia with IFSA, nervous, anxious, and scared would never had appeared. I was excited and prepared to embark on my journey abroad! IFSA had really prepared me before departure with their numerous newsletters that helped me get a feel for what the culture was like and how to navigate daily living like public transportation and healthcare. Even though I was 9,195 miles/14,800 km from home, I felt like I had a family--more importantly, a support system--the entire time. Whenever I had money problems, the IFSA directors were so caring and understanding of my situation and they helped me get back on my feet. They cared about inclusion and diversity which, for an low-income Asian woman, meant the world to me. Because they didn't want anyone to miss out on the amazing experiences and adventures Australia had to offer, they helped me find affordable ways to experience everything whether music, food, culture, and nature. From free concerts to taking full advantage of club events, they gave tips and tricks that made my experience unforgettable. Country Life Weekend was an unforgettable weekend in Bathurst where we could hold baby lambs and get a break from the big city. They also gave free us tickets to see a play and the Australian Ballet in the Sydney Opera House, who can beat that! Armed with the support of IFSA and a great group of friends, those feelings of nervousness that many students have after leaving home to live in another country for a semester easily dissipated. Of course I got homesick at times but at the end of the day, I was going to go home so I thought, might as well make the most of my time now! I would highly recommend this program to anyone--and have been doing so as an IFSA Ambassador--because they studying abroad so enjoyable and exciting!

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!

I studied at USyd during fall 2019 and I am SO glad I did. Even though I was extremely nervous at first about going to a new place by myself, all the advice and facilitation provided by IFSA made the process a lot more daunting. The individual advisor assigned to me was very accommodating, especially with deadlines, and provided detailed answers to all my questions. I got a lot more logistical support from IFSA during pre-departure than I did even from my home school. Once in Sydney, having the program as touchstone was really helpful and helped my anxiety about all of the unknowns a lot. I was able to make other American friends in the program which was great because I had a group of people to do all of the touristy exploration I wanted to do. In my opinion, Sydney itself is the perfect city. I lived just a few blocks away from a train station and could get anywhere very easily, including any of the beaches, which I went to nearly every weekend. I got so used to being recognized by the owner of the neighbourhood coffee shop on days I went in to get my morning flat white. While studying at the University of Sydney, I was able to take courses introduced me to more interdisciplinary modes of thinking that I am now applying to my senior essay back home. Though the class sizes are much larger than I am used to, weekly tutorial sections helped develop discussion further and also gave me the opportunity to meet local students. The only downside was I did not push myself enough to join clubs or organizations with the university, which would have allowed me to make closer Australian friends. I'm graduating next year and have started to consider applying to jobs in Sydney, just to see what could happen.

IFSA was so instrumental in helping me enjoy my abroad experience. The program set up multiple events that helped me meet new people within the program and get comfortable in our new setting. They were also there every step of the way to help us get adjusted to being at a new university, being in a new city, etc. One thing I loved about IFSA as well was the housing. I absolutely loved my roommates; we all had similar goals for abroad, and they all ended up becoming my closest friends. Overall, I highly recommend IFSA if you are looking for a high quality education paired with a great experience socially.