Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best Two Months of My Life Past Review

By (Environmental Studies, Economics, Tulane University) - abroad from 09/28/2011 to 11/30/2012 with

Pacific Discovery: New Zealand and Australia Semester Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much from my time on my Pacific Discovery Program. Everyday we did something new and amazing or saw something incredible. I learned how to travel independently and learned a lot about the local cultures. Also made lifelong friends. Would do it again in a heartbeat.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

We met with the Pacific Discovery founders and had dinner with them. They were all fantastic not to mention our amazing group leader.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Hostels, Camping, Lodges.

* Food:

Mostly group meals in hostels or at camp.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Felt like a local. Our group leader was incredibly knowledgeable about the area and Pacific Discovery makes it so you see the real culture of the countries.

* 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? 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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • proximity to nature
  • feeling like a local
  • my group
* What could be improved?
  • ?
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How cold it can get in the NZ mountains

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.