TEAN helped me find my home away from home! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I wasn't used to big lecture style classes in lecture halls, but being exposed to that sort of class setting is something I never would have experienced if it wasn't for the University of Otago. The classes were less of a work load than I was used to, but there was more weight in exams. I felt it was easy for me to balance school work and traveling while I was abroad.

On-site administration of your program

TEAN's on-site staff treated us like college kids- I didn't feel like I was forced to do anything or that the activities were overly structured. The on-site members communicated very well with our group and were always wonderful hosts at the group dinners and meet ups. I love that they actually live in Dunedin and could answer any and all questions about New Zealand. They exposed us to what they are involved in and passionate about in their lives, and I loved seeing how much they are a part of the local community. The on-site members gave us just the right amount of space while at the same time made us feel like they were only a call, email or meet up away.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a flat owned by my university called UniFlats. It was a 5-person flat with 5 single bedrooms, one shower, one toilet, a kitchen and a living room. We also had a nice, little backyard with a clothes line. I loved my little flat. It was so homey and I was very grateful to have my own room. Almost every flat has a Kiwi Host- a student from New Zealand studying at Otago who helps international students adjust and acclimate. I lived with a Kiwi Host, and 3 other American international students. I went in with the impression that I didn't need to be best friends with my flatmates as long as we got along enough to peacefully live together- but we turned out getting along better than I ever thought! The four of them were four of my closest friends I made abroad. We each had a night of the week that we cooked dinner for the whole flat, we went out for ice cream all the time, we went on weekend road trips together hiking, we learned all about each other's families and friends back home. I had a really special bond with my flatmates and UniFlats did a perfect job of pairing us all together.

I was able to find many things that I like to eat while in Dunedin. There are all sorts of restaurants downtown and the grocery stores are in walking distance with many of the foods I am used to having a home. Having my own kitchen helped when I didn't want to spend money eating out too!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I loved getting to know the Kiwis and learning about their traditions and social lives. I also spent time at a marae- which is a traditional Maori village where a group of Maori people used to live. Now, it contains their meeting house, dining hall and church. It was about 40 minutes from the university. We went through the process of being welcomed onto the marae and the welcoming ceremony, ate a meal there, and got a tour of the grounds. It was really beautiful. It was especially cool for me because I learned all about maraes and the processes and rituals that take place on them in a Maori class I took while at Otago, so seeing one in real life made it so much better. Some of us weaved palm leaves and others made pois, which are objects used in Maori Poi Dances and Haka, another dance performed by Maori people.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never felt unsafe in Dunedin. The university security was always walking around. However, I have heard of some people's flats getting broken into- so always lock your doors and bring your valuables with you when you leave or lock them away.

TEAN had me perfectly prepared for my semester in New Zealand fresh out of Orientation. The location, Queenstown, was unbelievable and I couldn't have asked for a better first location to see in that incredible country. I was in awe of the dinner we were provided with and the sessions where we learned about the country's culture. The luge and gondola excursion was my favorite- and the dinner at the top made me feel like I was on top of the world. I genuinely wondered how it could get any better than what I experienced at Orientation. It set the bar HIGH, let me tell you. I felt completely accommodated where we stayed/slept during Orientation and I felt like the group of TEAN students jived really well right off the bat. I joke all the time with my two closest friends I made while abroad that I never would have become so close to them if we didn't sleep in the same bunk as strangers the very first night of Orientation- and now they are lifelong friends! I never would have crossed paths with them if it wasn’t for TEAN. I felt connected to TEAN the entire time I was abroad and was always well supported. I would do it all over again with TEAN!

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I really had to budget my money while abroad. I had to think about food for each week, everyday items I may have needed, paying for transportation and gas when I went on weekend trips, paying for accommodations when I was out of town, paying for activities and tours, etc... With that being said, having a certain amount of money you are able to spend and only go with that much, it forces you to be smart and budget it!

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• Other

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• Local Students
• Americans

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Orientation in Queenstown
• Free museum passes
• Dinners/ meetups throughout the semester

• Nothing! TEAN rocks!

The Avid Adventurer