Why are you sitting here? Go apply to already! Past Review
By Mark D (Delaware Valley College) - abroad from 02/09/2012 to 06/22/2012 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Christchurch - Lincoln University
It was totally worth while. There is to much that I gained and learned to right
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
TEAN was really great when it came to helping us out. They took me and the other kid from the program at Lincoln to a Crusaders rugby game free of charge. The Orientation program that they had was loads of fun, including the stay at Fiji and couple days spent in Auckland. Uni wasn't so bad. It really depended on what classes you took whether or not they were any good though (like at any school). Most off the teachers I had were very approachable and did enjoy speaking with the students. My only word of advice is DO NOT TAKE MAORI STUDIES. You will be bored to tears in that class. The school has plenty of computers for use, and open classrooms to study in, but you have to pay to print pages, which can add up. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program administrators were readily available to reach We received their phone numbers during Orientation, but they did want us to try and sort out our problems like adults instead of calling them for help all the time. Being treated as an adult was definitely a nice change of pace. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was in a semi-catered dorm building. They were split up into pods of six where we shared a kitchen and bathroom. It was cleaned every week by the school's staff, and all the cleaning supplies are in the closet of every pod in case you want to clean a bit more yourself. |
| * Food: |
The cafeteria was under construction while I was there, so the food had to be transported across campus. I can't really complain to much about it do to the circumstances involving my situation, since the new building should be done by the next fall semester. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The people in Lincoln were very friendly. The local pub was a great place to hang out after a day of classes or on the weekend, plus they had poker every Wednesday. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no problems involving my Health, so I can't really speak from experience. |
| * Safety: |
Even with the occasional earthquake, I still felt safe. They made sure that the students knew what to do in case another large one struck. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
It all depends on what you want to do while there. Food cost me about $50 NZD a week, but alcohol and going out can cost just as much. So it really depends on how you spend your money. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | probably about $80 if I bought alcohol and went to the Grouse. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you plan on traveling around, go for the cheap rooms at the hostels. Also get a bus pass card, and buy stuff that is on sale. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | To bring a windbreaker. It was windy as hell most days down there. |
