Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Huge Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 06/30/2015 to 11/07/2015 with

University of Otago, New Zealand: Study Abroad Programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The biggest thing I gained was social confidence and a sense of self worth that I don't think I would have been able to find trapped in my small community at home

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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?

American students definitely stuck together

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The school was really not helpful in terms of the shooter threat we had on campus. I still don't know if they ever found the person or resolved anything.

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? $300
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Get a car early and with friends. It's the best way to be able to experience everything and will save you money in the end that you'd otherwise end up paying to rent transportation

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Friends
  • Adventures
* What could be improved?
  • Preparation
  • A schedule (I didn't know when orientation was and missed it)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? TO GET A CAR!!

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Crime and Social Deviance
Course Department: Sociology
Instructor: Varied
Instruction Language: English
Comments: So interesting. This class felt the most like an American one
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Dynamic Earth
Course Department: Geology
Instructor: Varied
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Some parts of the course moved far too fast. With so many different professors, it was really hard to feel like the class was cohesive
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Abnormal Psychology
Course Department: Psychology
Instructor: Varied
Instruction Language: English
Comments: So interesting but surprisingly extremely difficult!
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Maori Society
Course Department: Maori Studies
Instructor: Varied
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was far too easy. 75% of the final exam questions asked about a reading provided on the exam. If you knew how to read, you got a B on the exam.
Credit Transfer Issues: