Can I Go Back to New Zealand Now...? Past Review
By AnneElizabeth U (Acting., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 06/19/2014 to 11/11/2014 with
University of Otago, New Zealand: Study Abroad Programme
So worthwhile - best semester of my life. The people became some of my best friends and the country is indescribable.
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. |
I really enjoyed the people and the professors but I found having five or six professors lecturing on one course became unorganized fairly quickly. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I didn't talk to the international office of my home school or U or Otago the whole time I was there but I loved it that way - I hoped they wouldn't baby us through the program and nobody did but we knew they were there if we needed them, I really appreciated that. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My flat was great (no heating and the winters were cold but that's normal for Dunedin) and the people were some of the best I've met in my life. |
| * Food: |
No university cafeterias? I'm not sure what this is asking... but in town there's great Thai food and Indian food! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We had Kiwi neighbors that adopted us immediately, they were great! |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had a running injury and went to the physio every week for five weeks - because i was a student i was privy to their universal healthcare system so great care for $5 a visit! |
| * Safety: |
Campus watch was always around for us, offering rides and the local relationship with the cops is very friendly - big drinking culture, but in a responsible way. Being able to walk at night by myself and be perfectly safe and secure was so new to me! It was great! |
| 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) |
Traveling every weekend or every other weekend is, of course, expensive. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Check to see what your student insurance covers before getting tricked into extra rental car insurance! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Bring a pack - like a big pack and a day pack for trips, my backpack saved my life. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
