Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Cool As Past Review

By (geology, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/13/2015 to 06/18/2015 with

University of Otago, New Zealand: Study Abroad Programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was awesome meeting and traveling with local and study abroad students. The New Zealand landscape is beautiful, and I am so fortunate that I had time to explore.

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 courses I took. Each had several assignments that required attention and effort, but the assignments were well spread out. I never felt held back from traveling on the weekends. The University had many resources available

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The study abroad office made it very easy to integrate

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was awesome living with other study abroad students, as well as with kiwi hosts. It made it very easy to meet other study abroad students, as well as meet kiwi students!

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Experience very little "culture shock." Kiwi students were very interested in meeting and socializing with study abroad students.

* 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? $80
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Get a New World Savings Card

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

  • 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?
  • hiking excursions
  • local and study abroad students
  • New Zealand culture
* What could be improved?
  • organization/set up at the start of the semester
  • information on courses before choosing them
  • organization of pre-arrivial information
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had done more research on hiking areas I wanted to visit before I started my semester.

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:

Field Studies Geology of New Zealand
Course Department: Geology
Instructor: multiple
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Fieldwork was challenging, however it was manageable to do well in the class as long as you put in effort. The emphasis on the course was very practical geology and learning marketable skills. Learned a lot through the 2 separate 1 week field trips.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Statistical Methods 110
Course Department: STAT
Instructor: Megan Drysdale
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Lectures were dry. Weekly assignments were helpful in teaching yourself the main topics. The curriculum was manageable, and as long as you keep up with the topics it was easy to do well.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Maori Society
Course Department: MAOR
Instructor: Suzanne Duncan
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Suzanne was awesome, and but in effort to make the class interesting and relevant!
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Environmental History of New Zealand
Course Department: ENVI
Instructor: Tom Brooking
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Interesting perspective to learn about New Zealand history and politics. However, lectures could be dry.
Credit Transfer Issues: