Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Vacation on Vacation Past Review

By (Engineering Science., Trinity University) - abroad from 02/12/2014 to 06/29/2014 with

IFSA: Christchurch - University of Canterbury

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about travel and using public transportation, both being important life skills. And I learned about good coffee.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The IFSA-Butler staff in NZ are amazing. Everyone wants to get to know you and help you in any way they can.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My housing was very international and it was hard to meet locals in class so I found it difficult to fully immerse myself in the culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I always felt very safe.

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)

The cost of living in NZ is very high.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $175

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

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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 staff
  • The activities that IFSA facilitated
* What could be improved?
  • Living with the locals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It won't get that cold. Everything will be super expensive.

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.