Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best Decision I've Ever Made Past Review

By (Food Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst) - abroad from 06/24/2013 to 11/10/2013 with

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Dunedin - University of Otago

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Going abroad was the best decision I've ever made. I left with such a stronger sense of what I wanted in life. I'm a fairly busy student, and taking a semester to relax and just live through travel and meeting people gave me an opportunity to appreciate different things about life that I hadn't before because I was always so busy. I would recommend TEAN in a heartbeat. They were fantastic! They were incredibly helpful throughout the process, easy to work with, and all throughout our time abroad they were there for us, from academic help to hosting events so we could all get together. I mean, we went to Fiji before we got there, and when I got to NZ, all the other internationals were jealous their programs didn't do something cool like that.

Review Photos

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Dunedin - University of Otago Photo

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.

I took four papers while I was there, so I had a decently hard semester. There were optional and required tutorials to help with more difficult classes, which was a huge help.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

We had a TEAN advisor living at the University who was always around for help. Alice was fantastic!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The flats, though cold, were really well kept. The program put us with great other international students, and we were so close to campus.

* Food:

There were few on campus food options, but maybe that's because I come from UMass, and the food here is the best.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

By joining the tramping club, I got to know a few kiwis very well. As long as you try to meet people besides internationals, you will.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Did not need.

* Safety:

There were Otago police out often, I felt very safe.

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)

Because our flats were already paid for, living expenses were minimal, about $40 a week for group food and utilities, and then our own food. Food was a little more expensive than in the US, but it was good quality.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $20 per week for cost of living (heat, electricity, etc), $20 for group meals (6 dinners a week), $20 for my own food (I didn't purchase out).
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't eat out a lot. If you can, cook at home. Eating out in New Zealand is very expensive.

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
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • How incredibly helpful they were
  • How much effort the TEAN leaders put into our program
  • How many events/trips we did together.
* What could be improved?
  • I honestly can't think of anything. They were fantastic.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how cold it was going to be inside the flats. The winter is mild, but inside is very cold because there's no insulation or central heating. Bring lots of long-johns, thermals, and sweat-wicking clothes for hiking (which you must do if you're in NZ).

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.