Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An unexpected Journey Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 06/28/2019 to 11/15/2019 with

Arcadia: Dunedin - University of Otago

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about how to be responsible for myself, and living on my own, which was my goal.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My room was very nice, but I would have liked to live with a kiwi-host who was an undergrad or knew the university better.

* Food:

I cooked for myself.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Arcadia provided no assistance, though my issue was very minor. Still, it was extremely annoying.

* Safety:

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

I think arcadia did a good job with the orientation in particularly, it was nice to have a friend group before the semester started.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $160
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make a chart of your expenses or budget at the beginning of the semester

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* 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?
  • The ideas for weekends
  • The people
  • The trips
* What could be improved?
  • A little more time on the North Island
  • More ideas for spring break
  • A little more hlep with legal problems (tickets)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You have to be an outdoorsy person to get the most out of this program.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Maor 102
Course Department: Maori Studies
Instructor: Erica Newman
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was easily the worst course I have ever taken. It was extremely boring and extremely easy. It was taught by a committee of teachers who seemed more interesting in fearmongering and threatening us for not doing the reading instead of actually answering questions. The final was the equivalent of a fourth grade standardized test reading comprehension section.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Econ 302 International Trade
Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Murat Ungor
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This is one of the best courses I have ever taken. The content was extremely dry, but the professor worked tirelessly to make sure we succeeded and understood what was going on. There was only a midterm and a final, and he made sure he was readily available to help us study leading up to these tests.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Econ 306 The Economics of Health and Education
Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Paul Hansen
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This class was extremely challenging. I did all of the readings and all of the work I needed too, and still struggled. The tests in particular were difficult, and the professor was a brutal grader when it came too long answer questions. That being said, it was extremely interesting, and I ultimately enjoyed it.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Pols 308- American Foreign Policy after 1945
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: Robert Patman
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was good. It was not particularly difficult, but required a good amount of reading and writing. The professor was excellent, but had a flaw in talking too much about his career and anecdotes about his life. That being said, they were particularly interesting, even if not particularly relevant at the time.
Credit Transfer Issues: