Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best Experience of my Life January 05, 2024

By (Data Science and Philosophy, Wellesley College) - abroad from 07/07/2023 to 10/20/2023 with

IFSA: Christchurch - University of Canterbury

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I met so many people and gained so many friends. It was a major confidence boost and taught me how to interact and meet people and socialize better.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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

I loved my program, I met so many amazing people from all over the world and I would change it for a thing. Only thing I would change is staying for a year instead of just a semester. I also wish i would have a stayed a little longer after the semester was over to travel

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)

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? Keep track of funds as your going and what you spent money on. Save your money on trips and seeing as much as you can. Spend money on groceries and make your own food/make food with friends instead of going out all the time.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people
  • The places
  • The atmosphere
* What could be improved?
  • N/A
  • N/A
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To stay and travel that part of the world before i came back home. Don’t be shy, interact and make new friends. If it doesn’t go well you’ll probably never see them again. Go outside your comfort zone and try new things. Join activities and clubs that remind you of home, it won’t even feel like you gone. Don’t Stress, it will be amazing.

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.