Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Unbeatable in terms of location, accommodation, and experience. Past Review

By (Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 06/26/2015 to 11/07/2015 with

IFSA: Dunedin - University of Otago

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Introspective thinking led me to better understanding myself. Absolutely the best semester of my life.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes were hit or miss...Three were comparable to Middlebury, and one was ridiculously hard.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Good.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Very satisfied.

* Food:

Cooked own meals

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

If there was one thing that lacked, it was cultural integration. Hard to quickly find Kiwi friends at such a large university and with such little time.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Under prescribed for an ongoing stomach illness. Had to get it treated when I returned home.

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100 NZD
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Flat-meals cut food costs.

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • Exploration
  • Friends
  • Location
* What could be improved?
  • Cultural Integration
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Class reviews (what classes to take and not to take) would have totally changed my academic experience.

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Mathematical Economics
Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Jafarullah
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Incredibly dry. Difficult and fast-paced. Three optional exams that could make up 30% of grade, if they were scored higher than final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues: