Semester in Dunedin New Zealand, Why did I ever leave? Past Review
By Brian C (Environmental Studies, Keene State College) for
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Dunedin - Semester on the South Island, New Zealand
I learned to live on my own. My study abroad experience has shown me that on some places on earth people aren't so mean as they are here in New England
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There were very few assignments in all of my classes, but the assignments were lengthy and weighed very heavily. Finals were worth at least 40% of the grade. I do not like the system they use because it makes the end of the semester very stressful. Then again hardly did any work for the first part of the semester |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Otago's study abroad office was as helpful as I would have expected them to be. If I had questions or issues they would help me out. Otago did accept what I would consider too many international students. One of my classes was mostly American students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a University owned flat off campus. I lived with a local host and 2 other international students. My room was quite large. I rented a bedding package from the university for $100. Location was great. One block from campus. All of my housemates and myself got along great. A complaint is heating was not available in bedrooms. By the end of the semester the temp in my room was around 40 F at night. Another is electricity is crazy expensive. |
| * Food: |
Theres no dining commons at Otago University. My flatmates and I cooked communal dinners. I learned how to cook many great vegetarian meals. Food was more expensive them Keene, New Hampshire. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The landscape of South Island NZ is out of this world. I went rock climbing at the most mind blowing spots. Some just half an hour drive from my flat. My friend from my home university bought a car. Otherwise Dunedin had a great public bus system. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I did not have any issues with safety, and I never got sick there so I really have no idea how their healthcare, etc is |
| 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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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Although you can live frugally Dunedin was expensive to live in. Stay on top of your work. Its easy to procrastinate when all your assignments aren't due for months. If your into the outdoors, rock climbing etc go to Otago |
