Home is behind; The world ahead! Past Review
By Mitchell H (Drake University) - abroad from 02/08/2014 to 06/11/2014 with
WorldStrides Study Abroad in Dunedin, New Zealand
The world requires action. There is an unlimited amount of things to accomplish wherever you are; all you need to do is go! Keep mindful of the larger picture of both the world and your own life. Live how you want to.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I took 100 (beginner) level courses, and they were as rigorous as I would have expected for that level of education. Interesting to see how 3-year university education timelines compared to USA's 4-year programs. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Alice was incredible! Wasn't too crowding or overbearing, but very obviously there if you needed her. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
634-2 Castle St. was my flat, and it more than fit my needs for feeling at home abroad! Room to myself with a personal balcony with a view of the Dunedin sunrises over the botanical gardens. |
| * Food: |
Not too much to say here. Food seemed to be surprisingly similar to home's (Iowa). Not much processed/canned food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Dunedin relies on the University, and Otago relies on Dunedin. Plenty of opportunities to get involved within the flats, the university, or the city. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Felt completely safe walking downtown and back at night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
Food + electricity + rent added up and, for covering the basics, I could have easily lived off a student's budget. However, New Zealand was way too tempting to explore and, being less-than enthusiastic towards free hitchhiking, the costs of travel and adventure activities certainly added up. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $180 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy a cheap ($1000) car right away with a few friends. You'll save on renting/shuttle costs and be free to go wherever and whenever. Use the coupons you get from the grocery store receipts! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Do research on the DOC site and travel blogs on different places to go around the island you're on. Jumping along with other people at last-minute is great too, but having an idea of where you're going and a little organization can make a difference. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
