Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Most beautiful country to study in! June 27, 2025

By (Neuroscience, Wellesley College) - abroad from 02/17/2025 to 06/18/2025 with

University of Otago, New Zealand: Study Abroad Programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This program requires you to be independent and self-motivated since classes are recorded and attendance is optional, and I became more confident by forcing myself out of my comfort zone.

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.

* 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?

* 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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Pack'n'Save and Countdown/Woolworths are the cheapest grocery chains, I recommend trying to shop there then cooking your own meals to save money.

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? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* 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?
  • No busywork
  • Lots of student support
  • Opportunities to be with locals
* What could be improved?
  • Food support (no dining halls/meal plan)
  • More classroom collaboration
  • More modern living spaces
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that lots of students don't show up to classes, so there aren't many opportunities to interact with your classmates unless you go out of your way to.

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.