Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Fantastic program, great friends, hard to get around February 15, 2024

By (Earth and Climate Science, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/16/2023 to 06/25/2023 with

Frontiers Abroad: New Zealand Earth Systems

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I became much more independent and met friends that I am very close to. I advanced my field skills and was able to go on many adventures.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

There was not a lot of work - only a few major key assignments. The geology program at UC was fantastic with incredible teachers and fantastic resources.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We lived in 5-person student apartments with several Kiwis and study abroad students. The accommodations were nice and we had single rooms. Since they were freshman dorms, the people were, occasionally, extremely loud and disrespectful, but that was limited. There was a stove top but no oven and all single rooms.

* Food:

There was a fantastic, cheap farmers market in Riccarton where I got my weekly groceries to cook with.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Frontiers Abroad did a fantastic job connecting us with the Maori community they are partnered with and there were fantastic collaborative research opportunities. However, it was very difficult to become integrated with the local college population.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Fantastic cheap health care at the university and accident insurance that I used when I broke my bone.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I learned a lot in the geology field camp, and the UC classes were fantastic. It's extremely hard to get around without a car despite the public transport. Christchurch is also fairly conservative and heteronormative and that was often frustrating to be around.

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)

Food costs were significant.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 120
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Riccarton farmers market and joint cooking

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Field Camp
  • The people
  • The teachers
* What could be improved?
  • Local integration
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew I need hard rock geology classes to go on this field camp.

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 Networker
An active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

rocks, minerals, ores
Course Department: geology
Instructor: ben kennedy
Instruction Language: english
Comments: challenging, best instructor I've ever had, very dynamic lecture style, fair exams, lab assignments but no homeworks
Credit Transfer Issues: They did not automatically transfer. Despite my department approving them, the transfer credit office did not immediately do that.