Fulfilling, Comprehensive, and Life-changing! January 08, 2023

By A student (Environmental Studies, Middlebury College) - abroad from 07/09/2022 to 12/03/2022 with

Frontiers Abroad: New Zealand Earth Systems

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

Yes!!! I have gained a totally new career direction and passions through my time abroad, as well as language skills, understanding of indigenous science, great friendships, and experience living independently.

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.	I can't stress enough how fantastic FA was. So much support from the program, they were so consistently supportive, really great about encouraging us to bond with each other, bringing us to fantastic places and enabling lots of cultural and community connection/learning, and helping us grow so much as students through independent research.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Darren and Max are fantastic program directors. Well-organized, thoughtful, caring, and really made a holistically engaging and awesome experience.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Flats were great accomodation, good location, good amenities. My flatmates didn't end up being awesome but that is just luck of the draw. I think it's good to not put FA students in flats with each other/other Americans - more connections with Kiwi students.
* Food:	Self-catered. Group meals out were always generous and good food!
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I of course was eager to have even more integration, but for a study abroad program we are extremely connected with the local iwi and culture. I was SO grateful for all the emphasis on cultural connection and learning. I think that's the most important part of being abroad, and FA does a great job at it.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	N/A
* Safety:	I always felt safe, although I wasn't out late in the city too much.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes I think I had the most cultural interaction and support I could've asked for.

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?	$150 NZD
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Cook group meals with friends to save on costs. Shop at Pak n Save (like NZ Costco) for lowest prices. Chekc on the exchange rate and when it's good, take out cash to save on international card fees.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language	We were familiarized with key Te Reo terms and learned some songs and greetings, encouraged to use them when interacting with the iwi but otherwise not in everyday life. Not a required component/class but was integrated into course.
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	N/A
How many hours per day did you use the language?	0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants?	Take a Te Reo class and practice speaking to Kiwi friends in it. Familiarize yourself with key terms and events like kaitiakitanga and Treaty of Waitangi.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm Other
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans 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?	Cultural engagement Access to outdoors Independent research
* What could be improved?	Language learning Support in research projects Group activities throughout the semester
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	How to cook a wider variety of meals for myself.

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Science, Maori, and Indigenous Knowledge
Course Department:	SCIM/MAOR
Instructor:	Hamuera Kahi, John Pirker
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This is my favorite class I have ever taken in college. Can't recommend it enough. I think it's an incredibly comprehensive cultural awareness learning experience for abroad students, complete with a field trip to a local marae (really recommend going on that trip!) and great discussions. I learned SO MUCH about Maori culture and this class really changed my outlook on indigenous knowledge. I participated the most in this class and was the most interested in it. Professors were awesome and kind.
Credit Transfer Issues:	Preapproved by Midd

Course Name/Rating:	Te Reo Maori for Absolute Beginners
Course Department:	TREO
Instructor:	Unaiki Melrose
Instruction Language:	Te Reo Maori/English
Comments:	Not a challenging class. I would recommend students take a Te Reo class to enhance cultural connection and understanding. I definitely applied the knowledge in other parts of my life. Oral, listening, and written assessments. Unaiki was a fabulous instructor. Not taught entirely in Te Reo which was good for me.
Credit Transfer Issues:	Preapproved by Midd I think

Course Name/Rating:	Field-focused Research Methods in Environmental Science
Course Department:	ENVR 356
Instructor:	Darren Gravley, Travis Horton, Billy O'Steen
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	It was a great class to get to experience an independent research project, very self-guided and everyone ended up with really impressive work by the end. Many options for different interests. An opportunity I would never have gotten elsewhere. My research advisors were Darren and Billy and they were very attentive and helpful. Students should make sure to reach out to research advisors and I'd recommend setting up weekly meetings to keep checking in.
Credit Transfer Issues:	N/A