Love of My Life Past Review
By A student (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 02/15/2017 to 06/22/2017 with
University of Otago, New Zealand: Study Abroad Programme
I think my self- confidence in general improved. I don't know how or why, but it did. I gained lifetime friends, tons of memories and experiences. I discovered a newfound passion for travelling and hiking, and discovered that I'm more adaptable than I thought I was.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I love New Zealand, and specifically Dunedin so much. It was such a fun town. Everyone was so nice and laid back. It was surrounded by the most beautiful beaches and hills. I quickly made a group of friends that became my second family. I have nothing but good things to say about it. I could 100% see myself living there for longer and it was one of the saddest things I've ever done leaving. |
Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 40 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | don't buy alcohol. Cheese is very expensive, can do without. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | spanish 2 in high school |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | we learned through song, so I was better at pronouncing than understanding and writing |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I would have brought more hiking gear (headlamps, tent, sleeping bad, etc.) instead of clothes. All that stuff was more necessary than I thought and way more expensive than clothes. I ended up buying so much from op shops, I could have literally brought nothing with me. |
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.' |
