The Semester That Changed My Life Past Review
By Tiffany Y (Film, Video, Photographic Arts, University of Hartford) - abroad from 06/20/2015 to 11/08/2015 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Dunedin - University of Otago
Being aboard has taught me a lot of personal things about myself and brought in new changes to my life and the perspective on the world and people. The kind hearted people of New Zealand has spread it's love towards me and inspired me in all sorts of ways to grow as a person. Everyone that goes aboard will tell you that going aboard was one of the best times of their life and I agree.
Review Photos
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. |
Great school for the sciences, but as a film student I appreciate more hands-on courses instead of the usual lectures! For me, the educational system was a much more demanding experience compared to the states. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Great flat for 6 people, clean and in great condition and perfect location! |
| * Food: |
The University of Otago has no meal plan for its student so you have to provide for yourself, which I like. Taught me how to cook for myself an for others. The grocery store is walking distance and if you don't feel like cooking there are so many great restaurants and cafe in Dunedin. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There's someone new to meet every day and the university and city has great events throughout the year. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The University has Campus Watch that drives and walks around the campus area till late. Offering you rides home and making sure you're good to get home, especially when you're by yourself. Though, regardless the Campus Watch, still a safe city. |
| 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) |
To be honest, I think being aboard there's no such thing as a "student budget" since you're always trying to plan weekend trips and trying to eat at all these new places. It's bond to get pricey! But if you limited you're traveling and didn't always eat out. I found having a social life and being able to provide for yourself very doable. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Every week was different, but for a week I stayed on campus would be about 100 NZ notes. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | - Since we're on a strict student visa that doesn't allow us to work, I stay if you school psychology department offers any experiments that will pay for you to take part of, do it! - If you're going to New Zealand and have a good camping gear, it will probably be more cost efficient to bring it rather than buy it again - Plan a budget... but lets be real, that's gonna be hard to follow. But if you have it and look at it it can be kinda motivating |
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? | The student flight is booked for the last day of the exam period. I paid $100 to change the flight to a month later, so if you're trying to extend you're time there may be easier to book on your own. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
