Dunedin, New Zeland: A Time to Experience College Life in a Cold Climate Past Review

By (Geosciences and Business Administration, Trinity University) for

IFSA: Dunedin - University of Otago

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I saw the world in a new way but all in all in america you really do have it good the people in new zealand and the friends you make are absolutley amazing and even though there were times when I ahd enough of New Zealand culture I would not have changed a thing it is part of their charm more or less

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 professors are there to give the lectures and not really anything else

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

if you have a problem they will do everything to help you

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

the flats are not insulated and it is frowned upon to turn on the heater if you are lucky to have one electricty is very expensive cookware provided

* Food:

you buy your own food

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

the field trips were fun we get to go luging and curling and on an overnight cruise but you hear what the other programs do and wish they would do more with you

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

it is nice having free national healthcare but stuff like dentists that are not emergencies are not covered and you need to pay full price also there are like to gates on fences and everything is fenced off most are electric and in orientation when climbing over some people would get shocked the only way to get from one place to another is to climb over the barbwire fences

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? 50 on food and 20+ on electricity if you conserve alot and it all adds up there is so much money you go through in the first couple of weeks to get all your stuff in order then it levels off
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? electricty costs alot and the price differences even with the exchange rate are really high because the kiwi people get paid alot bedding is very expensive bring your own if you can fit it in alcohol is triple what you pay for in the US

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

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  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Be open and get out there in New Zealand you will make memories that will last a life time

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Dynamic Earth

Course Department: GEOL112
Instructor: Multiple
Instruction Language: english
Comments: this course is not a beginner level course the material is sophmore/junior level stuff that you would learn in america
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Geophysics

Course Department: GEOL281
Instructor: Andrew Gorman
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Amazing he is an american professor and really cares about the class and the students
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Marketing Management

Course Department: MART112
Instructor: Multiple
Instruction Language: english
Comments: the material is not taught and the professors rely on the tutors that don't know how to teach the subject all self learn
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Climatology

Course Department: GEOG286
Instructor: Daniel Kingston
Instruction Language: english
Comments: the material was dry and not taught very well so the labs were very hard and long
Credit Transfer Issues: