Jandals and Sausage Sizzle: New Zealand is the choicest place ever, bro. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I really loved the fact that all science classes involved a lab component and that we took so many field trips. Everything was very hands-on rather than just plain theory. There were fewer lecture hours per week than in the US (2h per class, 4h lab/practical). The workload was heavier, with more papers and lab reports, but fewer midterms and exams. Grades are much lower (an 85 is a high A), which can be a bit upsetting if you are used to high grades, but on the other hand I didn't have to try as hard.

On-site administration of your program

The folks at the international office and the Uni Flats office were super nice and accommodating! They were always full of advice and on top of things.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Uni Flats: student flats run by the international office. We got pretty lucky and got a decent-looking flat, super close to campus as are most student flats. The bedding pack you can rent from Uni Flats is a bit pricey, but decent quality. However, our flat had no heat pump and the most disgusting couch ever (also, the flat was freezing, but that's like all student flats). The neighbourhood is, well, Scarfie Town, so it's pretty run-down and disgusting. I lived on Cumberland (one of the main streets through town) so our street was okay, but the back streets were pretty rowdy. My kiwihosts were amazing, everyone in the flat became good friends and we are planning to meet up for Thankskiving in the States this year!

Jesus christ the cheese isn't even real cheese and the sausages don't have any actual meat in them. Gluten-free food is really prevalent, so is vegetarian food (although most Kiwis eat a lot of meat). Food is expensive, but the portions tend to be hearty. Pretty much everything at Eureka is delicious, Mei Wah has amazing fish and chips (although you should also try Squiddy's, they were voted best fish and chips several years in a row), Domino's has cheap but classy pizza (who would expect it?), the pancakes at Caper's are to die for, and I really like the pad thai at Friendly Khmer.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Taieri Gorge train trip was pretty nice, if a bit bland. I know there were some events put on by the international office, but they weren't really well-advertised and no one showed up to them.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Dunedin is a uni town full of drunk students, so there are risks there, but otherwise NZ is like *the* safest country ever. No snakes, no large bitey mammals, safe to hitchhike in etc etc. The only problem I faced was freezing to death in our flat (and indeed most student flats are below WHO health standards). NZ medical system is totally awesome, it's fast, efficient, and you get reimbused 100%.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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• Apartment

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• International Students
• Local Students
• Americans

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• the country
• the field trips
• the boys :)

• flats
• communication with UT SAO while abroad--they kind of forgot about me because I got back so much later than everyone.
• amount of internet available :(