The Best 6 Months of my Life Past Review

By (International Relations and Affairs, Wellesley College) - abroad from 07/07/2014 to 11/14/2014 with

University of Canterbury: Christchurch - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I think I gained a lot of maturity while I was abroad. I really got a chance to explore myself away from the pressures of my parents and him university and really began to grow into the person I would like to become later on in my life.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I loved every minute I was at UC

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I stayed in the Ilam Apartments and it was awesome! You get to mix with other exchange students as well as local students and the atmosphere is really fun.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The people of New Zealand were so friendly and I was able to make friends with many local students.

* 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

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)

New Zealand is a bit of an expensive place, but I saved and was very careful with my money and didn't have very many problems at all.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save as much as you can beforehand. When you are abroad, shop smart, look for sales on food and other things and make meals with a friend and split the costs.

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?
  • The people
  • The country itself
  • the courses I took
* What could be improved?
  • The amount Wellesley charged me
  • Wellesley's application process
  • the reintegration process upon arriving back home
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known that it was going to be this amazing. I very nervous going into it and I wish I hadn't been because everything worked out and I had an amazing time and had nothing to worry about.

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:

Kiwi Culture

Course Department: History
Instructor: Joanna Cobley
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course is great for study abroad students. The professor is great and engaging and you get to learn a wide breath of information about New Zealand and its history and culture.
Credit Transfer Issues: