Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amazing Experience Past Review

By (Boston College) - abroad from 03/01/2016 to 07/05/2017 with

Arcadia: Wellington - Victoria University of Wellington

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I had an amazing time in New Zealand and overall I think it was the best study abroad program possible.

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.

My academics were not challenging compared to my home university, although I'm sure I could have taken more classes to change that.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Arcadia did an amazing job from the orientation in the beginning, to events throughout the semester and a closing event. Any issues I ran into, they immediately were there to help me. I felt like I was in the best hands possible in New Zealand.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in Uni Hall in a flat with other international students. The flat itself was a bit dungy, but if anything broke the school helped to fix it and it was in a great location.

* Food:

Cooked own food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Although my kiwi host was great, it would have been nice to live with more locals.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Arcadia was amazing with healthcare issues, but the school's healthcare was closed on the weekends and the doctors were not always in. Otherwise, they were very helpful.

* 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)

New Zealand is expensive overall.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people
* What could be improved?
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You do not need to buy a car, especially in Wellington, but make sure to travel around the country as much as possible! I only left New Zealand once and still did not see everything.

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.