Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Amazing Journey Through Middle Earth Past Review

By (OT, Ithaca College) - abroad from 02/12/2014 to 06/29/2014 with

IES Abroad: Christchurch Direct Enrollment - University Of Canterbury

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that I want to live abroad. Everyone abroad is so well-traveled and worldly than Americans. I realized that I can be independent, even when I am all the way around the world from my friends and family.

Review Photos

IES Abroad: Christchurch - University of Canterbury Photo IES Abroad: Christchurch - University of Canterbury Photo IES Abroad: Christchurch - University of Canterbury Photo IES Abroad: Christchurch - University of Canterbury Photo IES Abroad: Christchurch - University of Canterbury Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The cultural courses I took were very laid back and easy. If you went to class and studied, you did well in the course. Also, most of the cultural courses ended up not having finals.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Eunice, the IES staff member at UC was absolutely delightful. She made me feel welcomed and at home immediately. She always asked how we were doing mentally as well as academically. She constantly made us food and took us to different locations around the area to integrate us into the culture.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The living arrangements lacked free internet, which was difficult at first. I either had to use the school internet access in the common room or pay for the specific amount of data I would use monthly in my room. Also, most of the flats lacked washer, dryers, and ovens. In order to do your laundry, you have to find someone whose flat has a washer and dryer or pay to do it in the apartment complex. The lack of ovens was annoying, because it limited what I could cook for myself.

* Food:

The food that I experienced both in New Zealand and on the IES trip to Rarotonga integrated me into the culture. The Cook Island food included foods I had not experienced before. The variety of fruits on the island were extremely fresh, because they grow all around the island. At Uni, I mostly made my own food, rather than going out, in order to save money for trips.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt extremley well integrated into the culture, because the living arrangements led me to live with three New Zealanders. I also had the opportunity to meet and stay with family in the North Island that I had never met before. IES integrated us into the culture with the orientation scavenger hunt throughout the city as well as the orientation trip to Springfield.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A

* Safety:

I felt safe both on campus and walking through the city. Even though Christchurch is one of the most dangerous places in NZ, it felt much safer than most places in the US.

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)

Because we were not allowed to work, I had to use my parents money half way through the semester.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $60 for food
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make sure you save money in advance of your time abroad, because your visas do not permit you to work abroad.

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

  • 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?
  • the ability to meet friends quickly
  • the trip to the Cook Islands
  • orientation in the city and in Springfield
* What could be improved?
  • housing (laundry and ovens)
  • more information on specific activities for orientation
  • Allowing students to drive- Buses take forever and cost a lot of money.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how expensive going on trips would be, so that I could save more money before my trip. I wish I knew our Visas would not allow us to work in New Zealand.

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.