Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The most formative fun 3 months of my life so far! July 29, 2025

By (Earth and Climate Sciences, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/24/2025 to 06/11/2025 with

University of Otago, New Zealand: Study Abroad Programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be more independent and a lot about my outlook and place in the world.

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.

I found the education to be very different from Middlebury and difficult because of how big the classes were and that the quality of content was much worse.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I really liked living in Uni Flats and felt supported during my time living there.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Uniflats was awesome.

* Food:

I cooked for myself but the quality of food in the country is great.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I loved the living situation being integrated with kiwis and people from other countries.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any interaction with health care.

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe.

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

I loved direct enrolling! Cheaper!! and more exposure to local and international students

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)

I thought it was reasonable although fairly expensive especially with rent not including food.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy in bulk at Pak n' Save.

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

  • 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
  • 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?
  • People
  • Location
  • Living situation
* What could be improved?
  • Final exams being primary assessment
  • Support for instruction differences
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Direct enrolling is easy and definitely worth it!!

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Earth Evolution and Plate Tectonics
Course Department: Geology
Instructor: Dave Prior
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Field trips were great. The instructors switching throughout was a little difficult and instruction was spotty.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues
Course Name/Rating:

Advanced topics in Structural Geology
Course Department: Geology
Instructor: Dave Prior
Instruction Language: English
Comments: All self directed learning. Small class size which was amazing.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues- it is a masters class (400 level).
Course Name/Rating:

New Zealand in the World from the 18th Century

Course Department: History
Instructor: Angella Wahlla
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I liked that the course was internally assessed and did not all depend on an end final examination.
Credit Transfer Issues: