“When I decieded to move to Sydney to persue my Masters of International Public Health I had no clue of how to make accomdations, move my belongs, set up banking…to put it nicely I was completely clueless. Luckily I just happen to come across the Semester in Australia website, and that was truly the beginning of a stressfree transition from Texas to Sydney. Without the assistance provided by this company I’m 100% sure my move would have been stressful, chaotic, and disorganized. However with the help of Suzanne, the company director, my accomdations were prearranged and every step went smoothly. Furthermore, she was always avaliable to answer my questions (at one point I’m sure I emailed her three times a day, everyday) and offer advice when I needed it. The motherly guidance, support, and encouragement provided truly helped to make my year abroad a magnificent once in a lifetime experience. I would like to genuinely thank the Semester in Australia team, perticularly Suzanne, for all the help you provided me during my stay. If your moving to Australia using this company will be the best decision you’ve ever made!!!”
Jessica Williams from Texas, Masters student at the University of Sydney 2011
From universities:
Ann Wadsworth has been working in the international education industry in Australia for the past 16 years. Much of the current success UQ enjoys in our study abroad program is due to the university relationships that Ann developed whilst working here. Currently Ann still has very strong ties with UQ, having the Resident Director role for both Washington University – St Louis and Dickinson College study abroad students. Ann has a natural and engaging way of relating to study abroad students (especially from the U.S.), and the feedback we receive from both students and Washington / Dickinson is extremely positive – Ann certainly ‘value-adds’ to student experiences here at UQ. When it comes to studying abroad in Australia – Ann knows her stuff! Due to her wealth of knowledge and experience in the international education field, Ann’s relationship with UQ is invaluable
David Bunyan – Deputy Manager, International Marketing International Education Directorate, The University of Queensland
Since 2003, Ann Wadsworth has been working as an on-site Program Director for our University of Queensland program in Brisbane for the 15-35 students we send each semester. Her input and advice has been invaluable for our orientation handbook, and her informative pre-departure emails about housing, arrival, and enrolment really answer the questions students are asking as they are preparing to depart. Based on Ann’s past experience as a study abroad student herself and working within the International Education sector of Australian universities, she understands the issues and questions students face as a study abroad student. She is a wonderful asset to our program and neither our office or the students can imagine the program without her!
Malinda Mochizuki, Office of Global Education, Dickinson College
From students:
I would like to sincerely thank Semester in Australia for the great advice and assistance is helping me set up accommodation during my studies in Sydney. Suzanne, the company Director, was extremely helpful in making me feel at ease with the process and was great at keeping in touch. Talking to her via Skype prior to my arrival and receiving updates from her made her a very trustworthy person. I was especially impressed with the level of personal service Semester in Australia provided. From a personal pick-up at the airport by my driver, Ajay (who was nice enough to buy me a cup of coffee after a 15 hour flight!), to a fully furnished studio, and a few morning coffee sessions, Suzanne really made it a great experience to work with her. Thommy, the Sydney Resident Director, was really great to work with as well. He was able to meet me on the day I arrived to show me around, fill me in on important information, and get advice onwhere to buy a phone, shop, and find what if needed. If I had chosen to find accommodation on my own, it would have been a much harder transition and adde dmore pressure with the beginning of the semester so close to my arrival. Semester in Australia took the hassle and difficulties of finding a place to live (which can be difficult in Sydney) out of the picture and helped me transition into my new home.Thank you so much to the Semester in Australia staff. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a friendly and trustworthy organization that will provide a secure and clean place to live!
Luis Echeverria from San Diego California and University of Sydney Masters Student 2010-2011
Having Semester in Australia housing was so convenient and it really put my mind to rest when I was planning my semester abroad here. While the UQ website does recommend some accommodation, many of the places only offer year leases, so the options were very limited. I definitely didn’t want to have to come to Australia two weeks before without the guarantee of housing to try and hunt for a place. At that time of year, in the heat, I would have been miserable and who knows if I would have found a better deal. I’ve met several Aussies who live farther away from campus than 77 and they still pay the same, if not more than I do. You mentioned how this housing is more expensive, but I’m sure I’ve saved hundreds of dollars on transportation because I was able to walk to uni every day.
I also really enjoyed having the extra services and I definitely think that it was worth the extra money. I would have felt so much more lost trying to figure out where everything is and how to get my ID card and where to go shopping for groceries. I also liked that you had several events planned for us, namely, the Gold Coast trip, the AFL game, etc. It was nice to be able to experience a part of Australia that we didn’t have to plan. I personally think that the “services” part should definitely continue to be included in the overall cost of housing.
Thanks so much for your help and all your hard work this semester!
Emily Van Guilder from University of Southern California and University of Queensland Study Abroad Student 2011
For students who are going to study in another country, moving and to settle down is always a chaotic and stressful work, which was exactly what I had experienced when I was looking for my house in Sydney far far away from Taiwan. While I was terrible stressed by the unfamiliar new environment and complex procedure to get access to accommodation information in Sydney, very fortunately, I found the Semester in Australia from the web. I have to sincerely thank them for their friendly effort help me to get over the difficulties of living in Sydney. Not only did they provide me with all kinds of detailed information to help me seeking for best fitting house, but also they understand what are the worries of a student coming from a different culture, and guild you through their profession allows you to be well-prepared for the coming new life. I received a nice little package with all kinds of useful things (such as bus ticket) that definitely help you settle down comfortably in Sydney city. Under their professional and empathy, Semester in Australia for me is not only an organisation to look up for house, but also a sweet local friend helps me to get over all kinds of possible living difficulties in Sydney. If you are looking for a friendly and trustworthy organisation, I am strongly recommended you the Semester of Australia.
Tzu Heng (Hendy) Chiang from Taiwan, Masters of International Business student at the University of Sydney 2011
Semester in Australia is a blessing because there really isn’t a well developed plan to secure housing for exchange students. I came to Sydney without any set housing and my roommate and I were extremely worried we wouldn’t find aplace. I emailed semester in Australia early in the week and they responded immediately with one last availability in Sydney. The apartment I rented was fullyfurnished, perfectly located near Uni and the broadway shopping mall, and just a bus ride away from the downtown and other prime spots. I highly recommendsemester in australia for any student worried about housing – they areprofessional, considerate, and reliable!
Mark Jimenez, University of California Study Abroad student in Sydney in 2010
Dear SiA Now that I have finally been able to get into the normal routine of life back in the United States, I wanted to email you and thank you for all you did for me while I was abroad in Australia. The housing was wonderful, everyone at the apartment was great, and everyone with Semester in Australia was very helpful and caring. Thank you so much for making my abroad experience a comfortable one!!
Maggie Wood, Macalester College Study Abroad student in Sydney in 2010 (and Australian University Women’s Basketball National Champion!)
Without Ann Wadsworth’s help before, during and after my study abroad experience in Australia, I would have been lost, both figuratively and literally!
Marc Katz from New York, New York - Study Abroad student in Brisbane Fall 2008
The Study Abroad in Australia really is the only guide students need to read if they want to study in Australia! The information was laid out clearly – it was very ‘readable’ and easy to understand. I found I was less anxious about the whole experience, because I knew what to expect. I really liked all the ‘Pros and Cons’ outlined in the guide — I’m sure I made the right choices for me. I had a fantastic semester and now all I can think about is going back!
Megan Letendre from Charlestown, MA and Study Abroad student in Brisbane Fall 2008
Ann, you were so helpful right from the beginning and were always willing to be emailing the new students and answering all kinds of ridiculous questions (like my question about cranberry juice!). I loved the different activities we did with you when we got to Brisbane because it really helped in getting to know the new area that we were about to spend a semester in! It made adjusting a lot easier and it was so encouraging that you were so helpful in getting us set up right in the beginning. The info packets, calling cards, and the fact that you responded so quickly to emails and text messages about anything we needed made going to another country less overwhelming. I miss you and Australia!!
Leslie George from Glenwood Landing, NY and Study Abroad student in Brisbane, Spring 2008
One word… Fantastic!
Gregory Guldin from Dunellen, NJ and Study Abroad student in Brisbane Fall 2007
My semester in Australia was absolutely amazing and life-changing, and Ann’s guidance and support throughout the semester really allowed me to experience the culture to the fullest. Ann suggested housing in an on-campus residential college, which made my experience what it was; I lived with Australians, which really helped me to dive into the culture. I was invited to their homes, met their families, and traveled around the country with my Australian friends. My living arrangements, in addition to Ann’s guide and her ability to answer all of my questions about the country, really led to my great understanding of Australia.
Kristen Fraser from Hamilton, NY and Study Abroad student in Brisbane Spring 2007
While abroad, you were like a second mom and that made the transition into living abroad a lot easier; you took us all under your wing– you were always there for us, checking in on us, asking us how we were doing and how you could help if things were going awry. To have a “go-to” person while in Australia and away from our families was essential and we lucked out to have one so friendly, attentive and who could always make us laugh
Victoria Dedrick from Waterford, CT and Study Abroad student in Brisbane Fall 2007
Ann has been a great resource for studying abroad in Australia. From the pre-departure information through the tremendous support she gave while in Oz, Ann offers the complete study abroad package.
Hal Kenety from CT and Study Abroad student in Brisbane Fall 2006
Even before I arrived in Brisbane, Ann Wadsworth was an informed and helpful resource assisting me with the admissions process and enrolment, and helping me decide where I would live. She continued to be a supporting friend and resource throughout my semester in Australia.
Alex Caldwell from Annapolis, MD and Study Abroad student in Brisbane Spring 2006
From the moment I was accepted into the program, Ann Wadsworth was an active source of guidance. She helped me through every stage of my journey; from dealing with the initial jet-lag to understanding the quite unique Australian lingo… one might take for granted the fact that they are studying abroad in an “English speaking country”! She made the transition to Australia a much easier process.
Scott Morello from Larchmont, NY and Study Abroad student in Brisbane Spring 2005