Everyone should go to NZ!! July 09, 2024

By A student (Neuroscience, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/10/2024 to 06/19/2024 with

Arcadia: Dunedin - University of Otago

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Living in a new place, with entirely new people was an indescribably awesome experience that would be hard to replicate in another setting. In this program, I feel like I gained/learned a lot about non-academic aspects of university life which will be useful in transitioning back into a harder course load.

Review Photos

Arcadia: Dunedin - University of Otago Photo

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?
* 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

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)	Really only spent money on groceries and gas for weekend adventures!

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 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 access to the outdoors and beautiful place. Living with my flatmates - all five of whom are awesome and I will likely see again and keep in touch with. The orientation period - being in Dunedin for a week before classes started was really nice to help me settle in (also a great opportunity to make/solidify friendships and routines before classes started).
* What could be improved?	The only thing I wished was more streamlined is the credit transferring process (and major credit allocation) back to my home university.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	What to pack! I brought lots of things I didn't use and wished I had brought lots of things from home which I ended up renting there (ie. backpacking backpack, tent, sleeping mat/bag, jeans - since they don't wear sweats to class, sweaters, etc.)

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.