Upside down and Backwards Past Review
By Sabrina Westgate (University of Rochester) - abroad from 02/08/2017 to 06/24/2017 with
IES Abroad: Christchurch Direct Enrollment - University Of Canterbury
Besides the lifelong friendships, connections, and memories that I created, perspective is the greatest gift that I came away from this trip with. When I first started telling people that I was going to study abroad in New Zealand, the primary responses I got were “Wow, that’s so far away!” and “You’re choosing to go to the other side of the world? Why so far?” Being in New Zealand, a country on the other side of the world, was more than just a far-away country with new accents and foods. I wasn’t just on the other side of the globe – I was upside down and backwards. From navigating the airport and making my way to my new school, to walking on the other side of the street, and to greeting “Kia Ora!” to everyone I met, little things added up to create an upside down and backwards world. Even though everyone still spoke English, the language was different – and I don’t just mean the accent. Throughout my months in New Zealand, I learned about Kiwi customs and politics, about Maori (the name for the New Zealand people) culture, and I learned the awe that all who enter New Zealand hold for the rugged and ancient landscape. Before going to New Zealand, I wanted to spend more time outdoors and tramp overnight, and to immerse myself in a completely new culture. Through hiking with the school’s tramping club, going to stay with Maori people at their community meeting place (a Marae), bonding with my kiwi-raised roommate, and diving headfirst into classes, I did all of that and more. It was 100% worthwhile
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our program director was amazing, she organized the best trips and was there to answer any and all questions. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Self-Prep, but there are two grocery stores within walking distance |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Again, our program director was very helpful with navigating health insurance and other problems that might arise |
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| 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) |
About the same as in the US - food generally costs more, but the conversion rate to US $ pretty much evens it out |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | I wish I had brought more warm clothes |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
