Adventuuuure is out theeeere Past Review

By (Barnard College) - abroad from 01/11/2013 to 06/24/2013 with

Frontiers Abroad: New Zealand Earth Systems

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I can learn to do things like longboard, rock climb, hitch hike, yoga---whatever. It's easy to become bogged down in who you think you are, but you're never truly stuck--you can always shake it up.

Review Photos

Frontiers Abroad: New Zealand Earth Systems Photo

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.

The academic rigor varied. Frontiers Abroad certainly aims to become an academically challenging program--in one of their programs (the geology program) they have already succeeded. Their other program, Earth's Systems, needs a bit more hashing out but will likely be there in the near future.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Administration in both my community (Ilam Village) and through Frontiers Abroad were very accessible and helpful. They also organized barbeques/dinners/etc that were pretty nice to have early on in the semester.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Living arrangements (Ilam Village) were awesome. Included cleaning services, tv, and community wide events that give away money, food, and beer. My only complaint would be the convection microwave instead of an oven--there's not a lot you can do with that.

* Food:

not applicable--food was self catered (but expensive)

* 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

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? around $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? save up before you go--you're not going to want to think about saving money while you're here

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
* 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?
  • introduction to New Zealand
  • administrators!
  • support!
* What could be improved?
  • academic rigor
  • organization
  • meh
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had dived in earlier on in the program (I was pretty nervous)---don't be nervous! It's awesome! The more you take advantage of the more you'll have.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'