Monash University

I spent more money because of the difference in lifestyle, being an exchange student. I traveled heaps more, at least one weekend a month (usually more) because I wanted to see everything I could before I left. I also spent more money on nightlife, because I had a smaller class load than at home, and went out more. This is also influenced because students go out more here than in the states, because the drinking age is 18, so more people are going out overall than at US universities.

Accomodation is usually a little more expensive in Melbourne than it might be in Lyon. This mainly due to the importance of finding a well located appartment. Melbourne is a wide spread metropolitan area and it is very easy to end up living 50 kms away from unioversity. Therefore, primary spots tend to be very demanded, which brings the prices of accomodation up. Concerning the night life expenditures, the geographical distances also increase the costs realted to going out as in most cases a taxi ia required to return home (due to long distances). Further, the retail prices of spirits and beers are way higher than in Europe (where it is easy to buy cheap beer or other alcoholic beverages in supermarkets). Travelling is fairly expensive in australia because there are great distances to be travelled between destinations.

I ate out a lot so I spent more on food. Cell phones are ridiculous over there. It costs about 40 US cents per minute to call within Australia-even to call someone that lived down the street from me. It was much cheaper to call the US than any of my friens in Australia. I went out a lot more there than I do @ home so of course I spent more on nightlife. I traveled a lot in the little time that I was there so I spent a lot on that. I Just wanted to have fun so I really didnt care how much I was spending. I am definitely paying for it now that I am back at home and in debt..but it was definitely worth every penny that I spent.

Although the US dollar is worth more in Australia - there was more that I wanted to see and do while I was here. Traveling is a must once your here because the country is so beautiful and I don't know when I will get a chance to come back. I am more concerned with my studies in the US which do not give me much time to study!! Its a once and a lifetime opportunity so I wasn't concerned with money!!

There are a lot of hidden costs here that I wasn't expecting. Paying for local phone calls by the minute in the halls really sucks!

Food is a bit more expensive, so is calling home. On a happier note, the beer here is pretty cheap and rather tasty.