What a place to be! Past Review
By A student (Computer Science, Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 07/01/2013 to 11/10/2013 with
IES Abroad: Christchurch Direct Enrollment - University Of Canterbury
I gained a worldly perspective and now appreciate & am more concerned about many things more now than I did before. For example, I've realized how important caring for our earth is, and how big of a difference a single person can make. I've also become more humble, I think, which I saw from the majority of the people in New Zealand. More than this, I learned local customs / culture / all that good stuff which differs greatly from the culture in America. This lead to some confusing and hilarious mishaps but overall made me appreciate the country even more. My experience was simply amazing and if I could I'd send everyone to New Zealand on my own dime.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I took some relatively challenging courses, but there wasn't a lot of homework during the week. However the final & midterm tests were weighted very heavily. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program administrator knows exactly what she's doing and is VERY helpful. She goes out of her way to make sure that you have everything that you need. Helping people pick appropriate classes, planning events, and giving advice on where to go / what to do were just some of the things that she did. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived comfortably in a modest flat with a Kiwi, a Malaysian, and two Indians. It was one of the best experiences living with my roommates in a well-sized, furnished flat. With all the pots / pans, couches, and tables, everything that I needed was there. I also lived just a 5 minute walk from campus, and a 5-10 minute walk from the nearest grocery store. |
| * Food: |
There were so many kinds of food from many different cultures readily available whenever you want. The seafood was always fresh and delicious. If you go, make sure to have a Tim Tam (or three)! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Getting integrated with any foreign culture takes time, but I felt like I knew how things operated in New Zealand fairly quickly. Kiwis are extremely friendly and will more than likely help you if you need something. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Though I never had to deal with a health issue, it was readily available for me. IES gives you insurance just in case, and from what I've heard from people that needed the health services, everything was fairly easy to take care of. |
| * Safety: |
New Zealand is one of the safest countries in all of the world. The most dangerous thing in that country is yourself. If something happens to you, there's a 90% chance that it was your fault. Though not recommended, it's relatively safe to travel & walk around at night, alone or in groups, especially in the city center and near the campus. |
| 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) |
Food can be expensive here, but you can also be frugal if you desire - but it's harder. Since New Zealand is an island nation they have to have a lot of things imported to them which drives prices up. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Look for sales, cook food in bulk, ask others what they do to save. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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? | Pack for every season, make room in your luggage to bring things back, and say "yes" to every (sensible) opportunity that comes your way. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
