An unforgettable 5 months in New Zealand! August 11, 2025

By Anne T (Earth and Climate Science, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/20/2025 to 06/19/2025 with

Frontiers Abroad: New Zealand Earth Systems

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

I feel that I became much more independent and self reliant during my abroad experience. I gained confidence in my ability to travel both with others and solo. I also really appreciated how getting to spend so much time in one place allowed me to learn a great deal about the human and natural history there. I got to experience a lot of local culture.

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.
* 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	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?	0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	The field camp experience Getting to settle in and explore the country before the start of the academic semester The community I could reconnect with throughout the semester
* What could be improved?	The research methods class was not very engaging Field camp was almost too easy at times The common space shared by the students was regularly quite dirty
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I had done more research on different national parks/hiking trails before I went to New Zealand, as a great deal of them must be booked far in advance.

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:	Rocks, Ores, and Minerals
Course Department:	Geology
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Marine Biology
Course Department:	Biology
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Māori Thoughts, Beliefs and Practices
Course Department:	Māori Studies
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: