I Want to Go Back to New Zealand NOW Past Review
By Katie G (business/history, Trinity University) for
Arcadia: Dunedin - University of Otago
I learned firsthand the perspectives other people have of Americans, and the perspective of a country thats actually pretty small and isolated and have a true appreciation of the natural world around them. My experience made me want to go back to New Zealand, possibly right after I graduate.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The grading system is slightly different, so if you look at the percentages you'll think you're getting a lower grade, but it'll actually be a higher letter grade. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program directors were awesome, very helpful, knowledgable, and approachable. They had fun program activities along the way, and the big weekend trip to Queenstown was amazing. Overall, I would definitely recommend Arcadia in New Zealand! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We lived in international flats with with other Americans and international students, and at least one 'Kiwi host' per flat. We were provided with pretty much everything we needed, most students rented bedding packages from uni-flats office. I liked the set-up of the international flats around campus and they were conveniently located. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved our trip to Queenstown, where we went jetboating, luging, hiking, and bungee jumping if we wanted to. We also went on a bike trip, learned some traditional Kiwi cooking, and had coffee every once in awhile with a program support person on campus. All the kids in my program hung out a lot. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
There were no issues. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably like 70 on food and power each week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | A lot of the really cool stuff to do is on guided tours or cost a fair amount of money, so save up for those big things. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
Other Program Information
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Students coming to Otago have to be ready to have a LOT of fun, travel a lot of weekends, and make the most out of all the time you have! |
