Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Fantastic experience! 10/10 recommend IFSA Butler in Dunedin Past Review

By (Georgetown University) - abroad from 06/26/2018 to 11/11/2018 with

IFSA: Dunedin - University of Otago

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes absolutely worthwhile. I learned how to live independently in a foreign country, how to budget, how to navigate unfamiliar territory, etc.

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.

Although I had to spend time on work to do well, that actual rigor or intensity of the courses was not very high. That being said, I really enjoyed the classes I did take and felt that I had necessary resources to do well.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

University of Otago had phenomenal housing. More programs should work this way!

* Food:

I cooked all of my own food and had a kitchen to do so.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Hard to integrate with students because they knew we would only be there for a short time and they had their own friends. This was better though by having "kiwi hosts"

* 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

Absolutely!

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 was not cheap especially to really experience the country.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Around $200

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
  • 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?
  • Meeting other study abroad students
  • Program trips
* What could be improved?
  • Wish there was more integration with locals
  • Affordability
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It is hard to adjust at the beginning, but it just gets better! Make use of the resources.

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.