Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Living In The Moment Past Review

By (Biology, General., Stonehill College) - abroad from 06/21/2014 to 11/24/2014 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I can't even put into words what I learned from this experience. I would go back immediately if given the chance. It is the opportunity of a lifetime. Everyone's experience will be unique and special in their own way. I will never be able to replicate the memories I had in New Zealand

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.

The University of Otago is a first-class education, with a multitude of resources available to enhance student learning.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

There is a lot of support from both University staff and TEAN staff! I remember I got really sick one time, and my TEAN advisor walked to my flat every day to check on me and brought me home made chicken noodle soup!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had an amazing flat, right in the center of North Dunedin (the student section). I was a 3 minute walk from the Dunedin Botanical Gardens. I was a 5 minute walk from the center of campus. I was an 8 minute walk from the grocery store. I had a queen bed with my own balcony overlooking North Dunedin.

* Food:

I was very comfortable with the food choices there. The grocery stores have everything, and the local restaurants are amazing!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I met a lot of local kiwis when I was in Dunedin; I am still in contact with many of them still. I even have plans to meet up with one of them in the States this year! They really got me in touch with local kiwi culture, as well as the history and culture of the local Maori.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I got really sick for a week during finals. I had to pay for a lot of medical care, all of which was 100% covered by my health insurance. TEAN was very helpful in walking me through that process. It was really easy to get my money back. Other than that one week I had no interaction with the health side of things.

* Safety:

New Zealand in general is an extremely safe country. Dunedin specifically is also very safe. I had no problems with any sort of safety issues.

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)

I paid my home university's tuition (Stonehill). Therefore, my bill really didn't change at all which made it simple to go abroad. The only thing that was different was that I had to buy my own food at the grocery store.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About 100NZD.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Just shop intelligently. Look for good deals at stores and such. Restaurants are much more expensive than cooking for yourself. I personally tried to balance it - I wanted to eat out enough to get a good sense of the food there, but not so much that I burned all of my money eating at restaurants.

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?
  • Pre-semester trip to Fiji for a week
  • Pre-semester orientation in Auckland and Rotorua
  • Group flights and traveling arrangements
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing - I went in knowing some things about NZ and the program, but I honestly wanted to just live it and experience it all in the moment. I don't regret doing that for a second.

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.