Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Nature's Explorer: Friendship, Tramping, and Adventure Past Review

By (Denison University) - abroad from 02/18/2018 to 06/21/2018 with

Arcadia: Dunedin - University of Otago

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be confident in myself, and learned that I adore tramping/hiking and being outdoors. I learned how important the earth is, and understanding other perspectives like from the Maori students/their culture. I learned how to say yes more often. It was so worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I did not study very much, only for the finals at the end. I liked this, however, because I could explore New Zealand more often.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Arcadia had the BEST people supporting us throughout the year. I loved every single staff member. They were kind, accessible, helpful, and most of all good friends. The programs were excellent as well.

Finances

* 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)

I needed to budget a lot more during the semester.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? for food, about 100/week and a half, other expenses a lot more. 200/week?
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? It would be in your best interest to not spend so much on food, and save for all the adventurous things like skydiving, bungee jumping, and more. If you know you want to do those, check the cost, save up for it.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • hiking/outdoors
  • the people/my flatmates
  • the adventure/skydiving
* What could be improved?
  • create more accessible transportation somehow, if we don't have a car
  • longer easter break
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How to budget! I spent a lot more than I wanted.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.