Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Excellent experience, if with somewhat bland courses Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/05/2013 to 06/10/2013 with

Frontiers Abroad: New Zealand Earth Systems

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Independence, appreciation of good academics

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.

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local 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?
  • Field Camp
  • Group Bonding
  • Professor Accessibiliy
* What could be improved?
  • Organization of research component
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That the academics at the university were not that compelling

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:

Children's Literature
Course Department: English
Instructor: Anna Smith
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Not well-organized, instruction was bland. Interesting readings.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Christchurch 101
Course Department: Interdepartmental
Instructor: Billy O'Steen
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Very interesting approach to volunteer work. Introspective; a new way of looking at things.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Field-Focused Research Methods
Course Department: Geology
Instructor: Darren Gravley
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great infrastructure to help with personal research project. Collaborative.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Physical Volcanology
Course Department: Geology
Instructor: Darren Gravley
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Very interesting, though sometimes lacked total organization
Credit Transfer Issues: