Adventures and Class is Easier than at Home Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes were definitely easier than back home, but with less individual attention and ensuring I would know the material. I don't feel that I was held accountable to the same level of knowledge as my home university, but it was definitely more on me to make sure I knew what was required.

On-site administration of your program

IFSA Butler is great. Didn't need much from them, but they were always accessible, friendly, and helpful when I did.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Ilam Apartments are pretty decent. My bed was outrageously squeaky but you had your own room with a single bed, desk, shelves, hang rod, and heater (important for the winter months). Bathroom, kitchen, and sitting space is shared so their cleanliness and vibe is kind of luck of the draw on what are mostly random roommates. They had good social events (went to watch Game of Thrones every Monday in the common area with provided snacks and drinks). Staff is fairly helpful.

Decent on campus dining options ($2 rice and noodles for dayzzz) but I saved money on food by cooking for myself. There's a grocery store a 10 minute walk from Ilam, but I had a car (Affordable Rentals, across the street from Ilam Apartments, great deals). Check out Dubba Dubba in the Bush Inn shopping center, delectable and not too expensive (think Mediterranean Chipotle). Lots of small asian restaurants that are good for group dinners (many of which you can bring bottles of wine for a corkage fee). Not a dining mecca by any means, but there's plenty of options.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

If you speak english, it's already pretty easy, though I was surprised on how many times I was confused when a speaking to a person in my native language. This one is kind of on you. I played for the University Football (soccer) Team which was an easy way to integrate myself. If you go hiking and exploring, you'll find a bunch of people doing the same (Europeans galore) but your best bet if you want Kiwi culture is probably checking out Clubs day early on and getting involved through that.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

ACC! If you get hurt doing just about anything, they have you covered. I had a couple injuries from playing that needed attending to that turned out dirt cheap because of ACC. There's also a health center on campus that's reasonably well staffed and priced.

Kiwiland is one of the least intimidating places I've been in my entire life. City doesn't feel big or menacing, and pretty much everyone here is kind, if not a bit snarky but they all mean well.

IFSA did a great job. Don't know how much money I paid for what I got, but the convenience and definite group of people to associate yourself with is worth it.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

This one's on you again. If you want to save money, easiest way is on food. You can feed yourself cooking cheap meals for >$50 a week easy. Most of the best things to do in NZ are free minus maybe the campsite fee and gas money. Split a rental/gas money with 4 friends and that goes down. You can blow a lot of money in Dunedin and Queenstown on food/activities, so have a couple must does in mind and save for those before you come.

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• Dorm

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• The people I met through it
• The "free" food I paid for in the program fees

• The local excursion
• Offering or direction to tutoring on campus

The Avid Adventurer