Incredible! Nature! Indigenous Knowledge! February 16, 2023

By Justin L (Conservation Biology, Middlebury College) - abroad from 07/08/2022 to 12/03/2022 with

Frontiers Abroad: New Zealand Earth Systems

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

I gained a tremendous amount of knowledge from my experiences with Maori communities that can be applied to my career goals and outlook on many dominant issues in modern society. Tremendous learning about natural interactions, systems, and scientific methods as well. Unbelievably worthwhile and allows you to explore areas you otherwise would never have explored.

Review Photos

Frontiers Abroad: New Zealand Earth Systems Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	Perfect learning environment. Diverse learning experience. Applicable skills and experience
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Third-party owned dorms, main living for underclassmen enrolled in UC,
* Food:	Great food during field excursions, fully self-catered during semester - helps develop important life skills
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Unbelievably connected with the local culture. Immersive into scientific communities, indigenous communities, and local communities
* 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)	Food is expensive in NZD but with transfer rate to USD typically about $150 USD for 2 weeks eating very cheap options.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	approximately $100 on all expenses
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Shop at Pak and Save, its much cheaper and in bulk. Campus food options are very good but not the cheapest, so could be advantageous to pack lunches for long days with lots of class. Difficult to travel due to price of gas, find someone who has a car and become their friend (not just because of the car though) to minimize costs

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	High usage of Te Reo in describing natural places and traditional areas. Usage during interactions with local indigenous communities, but not in a conversational way.
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?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants?	Would be very cool to learn conversational Te Reo. Most native peakers are eager to help. Definitely should explore the language and the naming conventions used.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* 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?	Working with the Indigenous Community Exposure to Nature The people - both local and within the program
* What could be improved?	Maybe better housing, but would be difficult. Nothing Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	That you should commit to the experience and do everything that you want to do. It is difficult to go to a lot of places but if you make connections with the right people you can get anywhere.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Insect Biology
Course Department:	Biology
Instructor:	Steve Pawson
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Very challenging. Very informative though, less participation and assignments but assignments were very difficult and graded thoroughly.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No issues for organismal biology requirement

Course Name/Rating:	Science, Maori, and Indigenous Knowledge
Course Department:	SCIM
Instructor:	John Pirker
Instruction Language:	English - some Te Reo
Comments:	unbelievably beneficial class. Helps immerse in the indigenous community and learn about their history and modern issues. This class is a must take!
Credit Transfer Issues:	No issues

Course Name/Rating:	Field Methods
Course Department:	N/A
Instructor:	Max Borella
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Valuable and applicable skills in implementing field techniques and performing data collection and analysis.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Intro to Data Science
Course Department:	Data Science
Instructor:	Various
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Not the best course, relatively new and very disjointed. Good for establishing very base familiarity with R.
Credit Transfer Issues:	Does not align with and Middlebury courses, do not take if looking for credit.

Course Name/Rating:	Research Methods
Course Department:
Instructor:	Darren Gravely
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Very challenging but very worthwhile. Instructors are phenomenal, allows you to get much closer with the people in your program group. Gives very valuable experience conducting research, wide range of options from completely independent to heavily guided, opportunity for publishing in some cases.
Credit Transfer Issues: