Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The most scenic, formative, rewarding four months Past Review

By (University of Rhode Island) - abroad from 02/09/2018 to 06/21/2018 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Study abroad was certainly the most worthwhile experience I have ever pushed myself to undertake. I learned all the cliche lessons that you read from study abroad alumni - they only sound so cliche until you take the jump and do it and realize they are all true. I feel more independent, more self-sufficient, and confident in my ability to navigate the world. I learned that people from other countries are FAR more similar to me than they are different, and that every single experience is either a good one, or a lesson learned.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Budget in advance, find multiple people to split rental cars with for trips, take the trip to Pak n' Save for groceries!

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?
  • friendliness/accessibility of TEAN staff
  • resources through UniFlats (housing staff)
  • pre-semester TEAN orientation and events throughout the semester
* What could be improved?
  • nothing
  • nothing
  • nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I felt very well-equipped to depart for this program. The TEAN staff prepared us with information on all the details, big and small, of traveling and getting going on a semester abroad through pre-departure orientation on campus, pre-semester orientation in Queenstown, and just through sending out emails and speaking to us on the phone during the post-application process. There was no vital information that I felt I had missed out on when I arrived on-site in Dunedin!

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.