Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Leaving my comfort zone and exploring an incredibly beautiful place. Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 06/28/2018 to 11/10/2018 with

Arcadia: Dunedin - University of Otago

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about what it takes to establish a life in a completely new environment and how to adapt to new or different situations.

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 found the classes engaging but not overly rigorous or taxing.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The Arcadia staff is second to none. They are so helpful and willing to work with you to solve any issue that might come up.

* 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:

Dunedin is a very safe city.

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

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)

Some things in New Zealand are very cheap while others are very expensive as there is many things that need to be imported.

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
  • Americans
  • 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?
  • City living
  • Outdoor Activities
* What could be improved?
  • Make more of an effort to split up people who know each other during orientation.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It is possible to have a great work/life balance which is something I felt like I really learned on my trip.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.