Learning What It Takes To Rise After You Fall Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The educational system was different enough to be daunting. Most classes did not offer any type of work aside from essays and the final to help with the final grade, so really your grade relied on your ability to take a test.

On-site administration of your program

Everyone was always friendly and approachable.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The housing itself was fine, it was really who also lived there. The flats were almost entirely international students, and there was often a loud party somewhere next door. Parties were supposed to be stopped by midnight but there were often 12:30 and 1 am parties going on on Wednesdays and Thursdays. I was under the impression it was "study abroad", not "party abroad".

I was self catered, but when I did eat either at the on campus locations or other I always enjoyed it.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I had some cultural engagment through my MAST class and rugby. However, student housing in the flats was almost entirely international students and the get-together functions for internationals were always during lab time.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Healthcare for rugby injuries and mental/emotional support was quite accessible, however it would have been much more manageable with a bigger team for mental/emotional support. It was pretty similar to home, and no vaccination was needed.

I felt safe pretty much everywhere I went. The biggest problem was cat-calling and aggressive advances from other male students. I stood my ground until it was obvious that my ground meant nothing to them then I turned the issue over to my RA's, who took it very seriously and I didn't have an issue from either of those students the rest of the semester.

I would be willing to go through Arcadia again because the staff resources were invaluable, but I would not choose Lincoln again for two reasons. One, there was a huge focus on "partying" on part of the student body. It was disgusting and ugly. Way too much alcohol way too often. Two, I felt stranded all the time. There were two busses out of the town, and to get anywhere was at least an hour by bus. Because of that I did not get to enjoy much independent travel. Also, renting a car is impossible unless you have a credit card with your exact name on it. I had permission to use a parents credit card, but that was never good for rentals, so I felt trapped. Then booking bus tickets was also impossible without a credit card, so I was on standby for everything with fingers crossed that there would be enough seats for me to get home by Monday for school.

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

I worked very hard before I left to make sure I had ample monetary funds to be comfortable. I was in self-catered housing, so groceries were a bit pricey, and I only bought a handful of items for myself (mostly hats and rugby uniforms for warm-ups), but I still had enough to play when I managed to get out of the middle of no-where town.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

One class heavily promoted the teaching of and use of the Maori language. Once I learned some in class, I was able to use it more frequently than I had expected outside of class.

Select all that apply

• Other

Select all that apply

• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

Select all that apply

• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Queenstown weekend
• Ample staff support

• On the checklist of what to do before you go, add "get a credit card" or something that works internationally as a debit/credit
• Another group activity would be cool. I liked my Arcadia group more than my dorm or flatmates.

The Academic or Linguist