Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Doubt that I would go again. Past Review

By (Engineering Science, Trinity University) - abroad from 02/20/2017 to 06/23/2017 with

IFSA: Christchurch - University of Canterbury

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I have traveled to many other countries in my life, and New Zealand was just not one that I enjoyed. The best time I had abroad was when I volunteered in Bali for 2 weeks during Spring Break.

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.

Coursework almost nonexistent

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I think that Trinity ENGR students should be warned that classes taken there are just too easy. Moreover, they should also be warned that some inevitable clashing can occur between their two most important core classes (Fluid Mechanics and Partial Differential Equations).

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make a list before going to the grocery store.

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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Initiation week
* What could be improved?
  • The diversity of students participating in the program (Just Americans).
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew more about the academic experience I was about to live, and I wish I had done further research about NZ before embarking in such a long journey. I was told by returning students that NZ was an amazing experience, but most of them had never left the US before. It was their first experience abroad, and I can understand how thrilled they must have been. But it was one of my many experiences abroad, and I am afraid that it was the worst.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!