Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Beautiful country, nice people, slow pace of life Past Review

By (Geology, Middlebury College) - abroad from 07/02/2013 to 11/11/2013 with

University of Otago, New Zealand: Study Abroad Programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
A lot of personal reflection time. It was fun being independent - cooking for myself and keeping my own schedule

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?

* 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)

Food was fairly expensive but everything was very high quality. fresh and local

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $120 (but I eat a lot)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Farm stands

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

  • 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • freedom
  • environment
  • food
* What could be improved?
  • interactions with locals
  • events
  • expectations
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? New Zealand isn't necessarily a 'cultural hub'. people are very friendly and considerate but it isn't the most exciting place, particularly Dunedin. you had to make your own adventure, which was a lot of fun

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Coastal Geomorphology
Course Department: Physical Geography
Instructor: Wayne
Instruction Language: English
Comments: High quality course. the professor was gone for 4 weeks working with the IPCC. Quality instruction. engaging labs and field time
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Metamorphic Processes
Course Department: Geology
Instructor: John Scott
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great high level geology class. challanging. field and lab time. quality instruction
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Global Marine Systems
Course Department: Marine Science
Instructor: (multiple)
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Fairly disorganized. new class. Low expectations among student but still intersting and engaging if you tried
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

History of Science
Course Department: Philosophy
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Fairly challenging. Tiresome lectures. Student were not very engaged. Professor often rambled and repeated himself
Credit Transfer Issues: