Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The greatest six months of my life. Past Review

By (Rollins College) - abroad from 07/01/2018 to 11/10/2017 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Studying abroad in New Zealand is easily the best decision I have made in my college. When I finally decided to do it, I knew NZ would be the perfect place. And perfect it was! Dunedin is always bustling with activity. It has such cute coffee shops on George Street, a bunch of local beaches, and plenty of places to go out at night. I took really cool classes at UOtago including Global Marine Systems, Environmental Sociology, and Maori Society; it gave me the opportunity to learn about topics of interest but through the lens of a different culture. I also spent every weekend traveling all over the South Island doing tramping trips and sight seeing. I highly recommend Queenstown and Wanaka :) Overall though, the process of studying abroad was so smooth because TEAN helped organize all the logistics. If youre thinking about studying abroad, do it. I promise you won't be disappointed!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Cool courses offered that gave me the chance to immerse myself into the New Zealand culture!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

While I didn't have a meal plan, the food at University of Otago and around Dunedin was delicious!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Easily accessible with the insurance provided through TEAN!

* Safety:

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cooking meals and doing flat dinners is way more affordable than eating out for every meal!

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
* 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?
  • The university classes and campus
  • The ability to travel to other places on the South Island
  • Being immersed in the kiwi culture
* What could be improved?
  • Honestly nothing!
  • n/a
  • n/a
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The only thing I wish I knew was how expensive everything is in New Zealand! Although it is important to pack light, it is definitely worth it to bring enough jeans and makeup because those things are way more expensive in NZ.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.