Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Exploration Station Past Review

By (Hope College) - abroad from 07/04/2016 to 10/31/2016 with

IES Abroad: Christchurch Direct Enrollment - University Of Canterbury

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about myself and how I function. For the first time I was able to take time to seriously self reflect and grow from that.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Seriously blown away by how helpful IES was

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I did a homestay that I found myself online. It was alright, but I think next time I would prefer to live in the IES campus housing.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I hurt my foot on a tramp and working with the health care was a breeze. Eunice (my IES advisor) did a fantastic job of explaining everything to me and helping me with paper work.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Definitely! I loved my location and the people and experiences and culture. Next time I would just do it in the summer!

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)

It was alright. Things were tight and I could not do everything that I had to but it was alright! IES did a fantastic job of covering so many costs!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't eat out!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local 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 people I met
  • The trips we went on
* What could be improved?
  • The informational meetings could be sped up. They took forever.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have planned to do more and brought more gear!

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'