Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The farthest country away in distance but the closest to my heart. Past Review

By (Marine Affairs, University of Rhode Island) - abroad from 06/22/2013 to 11/10/2013 with

WorldStrides Study Abroad in Dunedin, New Zealand

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to say yes to everything. I was away nearly every weekend and truly took advantage of every trip opportunity and experience. SAY YES!

Review Photos

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Dunedin - University of Otago Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Professors are more laid back but expect that if you want to do well you'll do the work. Very independent.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Always welcoming and helpful

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I wish that I could have lived with more international students but loved having people from all over the world as my neighbors

* Food:

more expensive but very doable!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt very integrated especially through the International Mentor Program I was a part of in which i met my two best kiwi mates

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I went to the on campus health center for treatment of an on going cold and they were very kind and straight forward.

* Safety:

very very safe, campus watch is always around.

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)

as long as you have a budget you'll be find I spent 60-70 NZD on food once very two weeks.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? roughly 30-35 on groceries and maybe 25 on fun money( not including trips)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? create a budget and give yourself a little wiggle room but try to stick to it.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local 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?
  • The people who ran it were so personable and always willing to go the extra mile to help or understand what you were going through.
* What could be improved?
  • NOTHNG I LOVE TEAN
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That even if you use your american debit card as credit you still get a minor service charge of about .01 cents per dollar. Visa will get ya where they can.

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.