Lifechanging Past Review
By Rebecca A (Marketing., The College of New Jersey) - abroad from 06/24/2014 to 11/08/2014 with
ISA Study Abroad in Dunedin, New Zealand
I learned how to truly live away from home, how to travel independently, critical thinking and planning skills and so much more that I could have never learned in a classroom setting.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were interesting, but not extremely hard. They were at a challenging enough level where I was engaged and learning, but not too hard where I had to spend my days studying and doing work. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There was an adviser on site in Dunedin who was willing to help at all times. Everyone was extremely helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with 4 other people, one of them being my kiwi host. I also lived in a complex where there were about 25 other students. We each had a nice sized room to ourselves, two bathrooms, a kitchen, washer and dryer and a nice sized living room. |
| * Food: |
I cooked for myself most nights. We had flat dinner three times a week which was nice. Eating out was somewhat expensive but with the exchange rate it was fine. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The kiwi host program was great because there were about 10 kiwis in my complex who helped integrate us into the culture. Also, if you make friends in classes and join clubs then you feel even more integrated. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no health issues. |
| * Safety: |
I felt extremely safe at all times. I always felt safe walking around the city no matter how late at night. On Thursdays and Saturdays there were drunk people walking around but never violently. I had no issues with safety. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
I spent about $100 a week on food and personal expenses. This does not include any travel. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $250 including travel (hiking trips without other excursions) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Always look online for coupons. There are tons of money saving websites to use if you just google. Also, make a budget from the start. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Give yourself a few weeks to travel after the semester ends, you'll want it. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
