Study abroad with IFSA Butler at University of Melbourne?

Applying to College
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My D is a current college sophomore debating studying abroad next semester at the University of Melbourne through IFSA Butler’s program. We have looked at the program costs, confirmed that her scholarships will transfer to cover tuition etc., and have told her the cost is doable on our end - it will be slightly more expensive than a semester at her U, but we’re okay with that for this experience. She is very excited about the classes she could take and has confirmed that they’d transfer toward her major at her University.

Now, she’s just trying to decide if it’s a good idea for her on a personal level and I’m hoping someone on this board might have experience with IFSA Butler and/or the University of Melbourne - or even just the City of Melbourne. None of our family have ever been to Australia and D has not done much traveling at all. But, I would guess that Melbourne - and Australia in general - would be a pretty easy first step for a young adult traveling alone since the language and much of the culture will be similar.

She’s a shy kid, though, and is worried about feeling isolated and lonely. She may or may not have other kids from her university going on the program, but certainly won’t have anyone that she knows going. IFSA Butler seems to offer several orientations and get-togethers for the kids and I’m hoping this would be a great learning/maturing/growing kind of experience for her. But, it’s also a long time to be halfway across the world if she ends up being lonely and miserable. She’d be sharing a 4 bedroom apartment in a high-rise student apartment building on the edge of campus and would be housed with other international students.

Any thoughts or experiences with IFSA Butler, U of Melbourne, or Melbourne itself? Anyone with a shy, introverted kind of kid who studied abroad and either loved it or hated it?

Thanks for any thoughts or advice all!

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Melbourne is considered to be the best location in Australia & one of the best cities in the world.

Being housed with other international students is a great idea. Internationals tend to be more sensitive & respectful when placed in a foreign environment.

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@Emmycat You are asking the right question. Have you looked at the study abroad review sites? Lots of helpful info on them. My D did a semester abroad and an 8-week summer program last year but the programs were night and day. One was great for my introvert, but the other was very isolating. She still learned a lot, but if we had to do it again, we would have chosen another program. The reviews hinted at the things my D disliked. One of the things that she disliked was the mix of students. The summer program had a nice mix of kids from different schools. The second program was smaller to begin with and had students from a few small LACs and she did not fit in with them at all.

My D is ready for another summer study abroad and now has a very good sense of which types work best for her. She’s checking reviews and asking good questions to find a good fit.

Good luck to your D.

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