Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Experience of Self-Reflection and Adventure Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 07/01/2018 to 11/13/2018 with

University of Otago, New Zealand: Study Abroad Programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
undoubtedly worthwhile. I learned a lot about myself and what I (actually want to) value/ missed and appreciate while I was away, became more independent - learning how to cook, travel, etc. on my own, made a lot of new friends (didn't go abroad with any because I wanted to do my own thing), pushed myself out of my comfort zone by trying new things and so much more

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 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:

no dining halls - liking food has to do with my own arrangements

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

not addressed beyond orientation

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I would choose the same program (University of Otago), but not directly enroll - I would go through a program

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? n/a/
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? go to the grocery store and make your own food at home!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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
  • Apartment
* 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
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?
  • travelling
  • adventure
  • independence
* What could be improved?
  • Middlebury's preparation
  • system of transferring over grades (expected my GPA to go up while being abroad, it did the opposite)
  • system of adding/ dropping classes while there
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? to apply through an exchange program

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:

Sociology of Education
Course Department: Sociology
Instructor: Yuki Watanabe
Instruction Language: English
Comments: class was not challenging, but professor often graded harshly without explanation for why (even if you went and spoke to her individually)
Credit Transfer Issues: n/a
Course Name/Rating:

Social Aspects of Language
Course Department: Linguistics
Instructor: Anne Feryok
Instruction Language: English
Comments: this class was very interesting and both the professor and TA were very helpful, understand and clear with the content that they were teaching; assignments were fair and fun, but the group project was weighted to heavily (especially considering that group work is always somewhat out of your individual control)
Credit Transfer Issues: n/a
Course Name/Rating:

Maori Society
Course Department: Maori Studies
Instructor: Erica Newman, et al.
Instruction Language: English/ Maori
Comments: This class was a waste of time. As a class that consists of at least 80% international students, it was not at all accommodating to the fact that we do not speak Maori or know anything about Maori culture before going in. Going to lectures was more confusing than looking at powerpoint slides on your own and having multiple lecturers that varied on a class-to-class basis did not help. Student-run tutorials were the most helpful part.
Credit Transfer Issues: n/a
Course Name/Rating:

International Perspectives of Education
Course Department: Education Studies
Instructor: Catherine Hartung
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This class was not particularly challenging, but Catherine was great and kept the content interesting! She offered two 'tracks' or grading - one with more essays or one with case study/ volunteer work and was incredibly knowledgeable and well-prepared.
Credit Transfer Issues: n/a