Still have my "Adventure in Mind" Past Review
By Emily Folse (Villanova University) - abroad from 02/10/2016 to 06/21/2016 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Dunedin - University of Otago
Because I did not know any other student on my program before departing, being abroad allowed me to foster a greater sense of independence and self. Through living with (initially) strangers, I better learned to compromise, reason, and work with others. I learned to let go of the small things in order to learn the big things. Going abroad is always worthwhile life experience, but this program truly pushed me to grow, learn, and have fun!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The University of Otago is quite different than my home university in size and atmosphere, but there was great support for international students. I enjoyed being fully integrated academically during my semester abroad. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
TEAN staff was always willing and able to help me in any situation in which I needed it. The program was well organized. TEAN staff checked on students throughout the semester without ever being overbearing. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved living with students outside my program! It broadened my social circles so that I got to know people from all over. |
| * Food: |
Dunedin had tons of delicious international food. TEAN always did an excellent job considering those with dietary requirements at their events. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I found it a bit hard to make friends with local students just from classes, but there are certainly opportunities to get involved on campus if that is important to you. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No vaccines were needed for this program. The University of Otago has a health center that is covered by student insurance. My one visit there for a small injury was quick and efficient; it was very similar to a doctor's visit at home. I thankfully did not get severely ill during my semester, but I heard from friends who did that TEAN was supportive. |
| * Safety: |
Dunedin is generally a very safe city. I felt comfortable walking home from the library alone at night. While the university students can be rowdy, true violence/safety threats do not seem to be a concern. |
| 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) |
Dunedin is affordable! The housing provided through this program is flat-style, so I was able to mostly cook my own meals to save on costs. So much of the "entertainment" in New Zealand is outdoor activity, so the semester did not break the bank. |
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? | Many people are attracted to New Zealand as a study abroad location because of all the outdoor activity it offers. It is nearly impossible to get around New Zealand (to trailheads, remote locations, etc.) without driving. Although driving abroad is not recommended (especially on the opposite side of the road!), it is difficult to avoid if you want to explore outside city limits. |
