Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A journey to get my life back June 24, 2024

By (Theater Arts, Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/15/2024 to 06/28/2024 with

Arcadia: Wellington - Victoria University of Wellington

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was super worthwhile. I learned I can manage alone in a foreign country without anyone I know and be happy. I learned that I can be happy again, alongside the sorrow. I met new people and saw how they live their lives and got new perspectives to mine. I was brave and adventurous and did only what I wanted, and built myself an amazing experience. I'm very proud of myself. It was unbelievable that I did that, so much not for-granted. And now I'm different. I have New Zealand inside of me. And no one can take it away.

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 program was awesome, both in terms of Arcadia and in terms of Victoria University itself. I always felt supported by my supervisors and my professors, and had great academic experiences. The only point of improvement I can say was the communication between Brandeis+Arcadia with the staff in Vic - they were so so slow and hard to communicate with before I arrived. There were a few problems with my class enrolments that I had to deal with in person after they weren’t helpful for about three months, which was pretty frustrating and maybe could become easier.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Didn't reply to my emails/calls for months, put me in an intermediate course where I wasn't belong without letting me know that there is an issue, denied me from the courses I asked without offering any other solution, were difficult with getting me into a different course... Good intentions, it worked out at the end, but I had a very rough journey with them and I had to work it out myself with a lot of persistence.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I was integrated with the local culture through my classmates and my travels, but I didn't try too hard to get involved with the clubs on campus, especially since they cost money in the university I went to, and I didn't want to commit to something I don't know if I like and for a short amount of time.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Didn't try

* Safety:

I felt safe most times.

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

I was amazing and I learned so much, it gave me love and joy in a difficult time in my life and taught me independence and adventure.

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)

NZ is expensive

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? -
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? -

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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 great support we got from teh program managers
  • The bonding experiences
* What could be improved?
  • -
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I needed to bring more warm clothing!!!

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

THA308
Course Department: Theatre
Instructor: Lucas Neal
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great course that taught me so many practical skills!!!
Credit Transfer Issues: Don’t know yet
Course Name/Rating:

MDDN413 - Graphic Design Practice

Course Department: MDDN
Instructor: Sarah Maxey
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Sarah was a professional and experienced lecturer. I had a lot of fun in her class and it taught me a lot for my future career!!
Credit Transfer Issues: Don’t know yet
Course Name/Rating:

COMD241: Visual Narratives

Course Department: COMD
Instructor: Tanya Ruka
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course gave me complete freedom to explore the topics I'm interested in as an artist and gave me the support to do that, and I'm very grateful for that.
Credit Transfer Issues: Didn't try yet