Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Challenging experience abroad that I would not recommend but will remember Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 07/02/2012 to 11/06/2012 with

University of Otago, New Zealand: Study Abroad Programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained an understanding of the world around me but felt very trapped on the island.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

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:

made my own 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? No

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • I like the freedom of being able to travel
* What could be improved?
  • The Grade transferring system
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I did not like the culture very much. I felt very trapped on the island which frustrated me. The fact that the grades are transferred and are not pass/fail is absolutely ridiculous given the differing nature of the academic learning experiences at Otago and Middlebury.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Intro to Maori Studies
Course Department: Maori Studies
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Behavioral Economics
Course Department: Economics
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Industrial Innovation
Course Department: Economics
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Crime, Justice, and Society
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: