Act like you are moving there permanently Past Review

By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/12/2014 to 06/18/2014 with

University of Otago, New Zealand: Study Abroad Programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

It's better to treat it like you've just moved there than to treat it like a vacation. I believe I got more out of the experience because I tried to create more meaningful relationships with the people.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	1 month - 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?	I should have been more prepared for the colder temperatures INSIDE the house
* Food:	Food is as good as your creativity and money allow it to be. No access to cafeterias.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Joined the rowing and spearfishing club, hung out mostly with locals.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	No issues
* Safety:	Felt very safe.
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?	60
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Buy in bulk

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Other
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	International Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local 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?	People Options for exploration
* What could be improved?	Create an all inclusive living cost
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I prepared myself for how much the power bill would be a topic of contention.

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:	Maori Performance
Course Department:	Maori Studies
Instructor:	Tua
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Very enjoyable class where you learn the performing arts of Maori culture and the history behind them.
Credit Transfer Issues:	General credit.

Course Name/Rating:	Music in Popular Culture
Course Department:	Music
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Interesting perspective on how music is produced and consumed in the modern era.
Credit Transfer Issues:	N/A

Course Name/Rating:	Masculinities
Course Department:	Gender Studies
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Psychology in Legal Contexts
Course Department:	Psychology
Instructor:	Zajac
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Very challenging. Requires you to absorb and understand a large amount of psychological studies and relevant media material.
Credit Transfer Issues:	Should not be an issue