Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

New Zealand is an incredible place Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 07/01/2019 to 11/23/2019 with

University of Otago, New Zealand: Study Abroad Programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Exploring a country on your own/with friends is extremely interesting and exciting. I learned so much about myself through that experience

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

School was horrible. Classes were bland and professors were not helpful at all. Everything came down to a final exam and there was never a moment to check in and see if you had actually learned anything. I didn't learn a thing in class and now my whole college transcript will suffer from this.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I felt little to no support.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was amazing. Such a nice place!

* Food:

Got to cook for myself which I loved. If you dont know how to cook you will learn!!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Didn't really integrate with locals. mostly other abroad students. who by the way were awesome.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Fine. Had a medical center. never went

* Safety:

Felt very safe

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I loved my experience in NZ. I would suggest doing a study abroad program because you get to meet new people. I hated the way grades transferred and I wish they didn't. That is the only reason I didn't have a 10/10 experience

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)

Definitely expensive to live here.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $250
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? nope

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
* 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Country
  • People
  • Cooking!
* What could be improved?
  • Grade Transfer
  • School itself
  • Grades
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Take as easy classes as possible so that you don't have to do any work

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Game Theory
Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Peters
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Loved this course!
Credit Transfer Issues: Haven't finalized transfer but hoping to
Course Name/Rating:

Courprate Finacne
Course Department: Business
Instructor: Nguyen
Instruction Language: Kinda English
Comments: This was such a hard course. I had no experience and I should have never been allowed to take it. There was no feedback on how I was doing and no chance to prove myself
Credit Transfer Issues: I am reluctant to let my grade even transfer because I am so frustrated
Course Name/Rating:

Ethical Philosophy
Course Department: Philosophy
Instructor: Dyke
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was a great course but I have no idea why I didn't get a better grade. I had no chance try to improve the grade I got.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Maori Society
Course Department: Maori
Instructor: Newman
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Super easy class. Learned a bunch too!
Credit Transfer Issues: