Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Dunedin NZ July 04, 2023

By (Biology, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/11/2023 to 06/22/2023 with

Arcadia: Dunedin - University of Otago

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about myself and independence and being an adult and NZ and what I like and don't like. Very worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Completely different than my home university experience, the school was 7x larger than Middlebury which made academics so much different. I wouldn't necessarily say harder or easier, but it takes getting used to.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I didn't utilize my program administrators that much, but it was nice for them to offer so many additional opportunities to explore NZ and meet people.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I liked my house, very satisfactory and nice housing. My flatmates weren't super well matched with me, but we lived amicably.

* Food:

NZ food is pretty similar to US food, nothing too crazy different.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I loved the culture and felt well integrated, but it was something you had to work for and the locals were not super welcoming.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had one health issue early on, an allergic reaction. I got care almost immediately and medication for free and it was super easy to coordinate and figure out. Completely different system to the USA, but easy to understand and efficient.

* Safety:

Dunedin is an amazing city, I never felt unsafe and I absolutely LOVED the culture.

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

I think that having the program helped me acclimate and find friends when going to somewhere with no one I knew and no connections.

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)

4, if you plan well then things are affordable and easy

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100 NZD (60 USD) for groceries, and maybe 40 USD for other things
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Be smart! Theres no need to eat out every day. Know how to cook for yourself

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?
  • Hosted activities
  • Friends I made
  • LOCATION
* What could be improved?
  • Explanation of insurance and health access
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Plan well for the weather, it ranges a lot!

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Health Policy and Politics (PUBH203)
Course Department: Public Health
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: SO interesting. Lecture based 2x per week and 4 tutorials throughout the whole semester. Some student involvement, but not tons. Lots of guest lecturers. Assessed on 2 essays and final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues: N/A
Course Name/Rating:

Maori Culture (MAOR102)
Course Department: Maori Studies
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Pretty easy class but lectures were confusing, ~500+ kids in the class. Met 2x per week for lectures and 1 tutorial per week (optional). Assessed on two papers, online test, and final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues: N/A. Pre-approved.
Course Name/Rating:

Sociology of NZ Society
Course Department: Sociology
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Interesting class, basically Sociology 101. Met 2x per week and 1 tutorial per week. Lecture based with around 400+ students, so very little student participation. Assessed on essay outline, essay, weekly homework, and final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues: N/A.
Course Name/Rating:

Applied Statistics
Course Department: Statistics
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Challenging and engaging, class of ~80. Lecture based. Assessed on weekly hw, midterm, and final exam. Met 3x per week plus 1 tutorial per week. There is no student participation.
Credit Transfer Issues: I haven't made the transfer yet, but it was pre-approved on the database.