Discovering my independence in nature. Past Review
By A student (Bryant University) - abroad from 02/14/2012 to 06/25/2012 with
Arcadia: Auckland - University of Auckland
I was able to learn about a different country and its culture, I learned how to efficiently travel, planning, cooking, and about myself and my independence. It was more than worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Wasn't as rigorous as I'm used to, which actually worked out well because it allowed me to have a lot of travel time. I wasn't too keen on how half of my course grade depended on the final though. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Kate and Jane were fantastic! They made me feel at home right away and were always there if I needed anything or if I just wanted to go for a coffee. They are the sweetest people. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved Parnell Student Village. It was close to everything, but I didn't feel like I was stuck in a city. I also really enjoyed the balconies, living spaces, individual bedrooms, and the walk through the park to school. I was a little bummed that we didn't get to live with Kiwis or many other international students. |
| * Food: |
I liked being able to purchase my own groceries and cook for myself, since Parnell Student Village doesn't have meal plans. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The activities that Arcadia put us through (orientation, etc.) helped a lot with cultural integration, which I was really grateful for, especially since university housing grouped all the Americans together in Parnell Student Village. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Well addressed |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe at the Uni and in Parnell |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
1 But this was because I spent almost every weekend traveling somewhere. So for me, I did very well financially. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I personally allocated $1000 a month for all spending, and then another $1000 just for the two week semester break. The reason I spent so much though is because I traveled whenever I could. If you're not traveling so much, then you'd be fine with $50-$100 a week. It helped me to keep track of everything that I spent by recording it all in an excel spreadsheet. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Again, nothing that I can think of. I was happy to learn along the way. |
