Studying with TEAN in New Zealand was the best decision I've made yet! Past Review
By Julie K (kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst) for
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Dunedin - University of Otago
I gained so much from this experience! Although I did not do anyting specific to my major of kinesiology, this experience not only looks great on a resume but will change your overall perspecive of anyone from other countries that you meet and also what you think of your own country by getting a different perspective from people across the world.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The whole set up for academics at the University of Otago was much different than I'm use to at UMass. The majority of the courses that I took, which were all "gen eds" did not take attendence, nor required much in-class work at all. There were a few papers for each class that I took that were due throughout the semester, but the majority of your grade was based on one final exam worth 50-65% of your final grade. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The education abroad network's program size for student traveling to New Zealand last semester was around 25 students. This was perfect because it became very easy for us to become close friends during our orientation, and also because it made it very easy for TEAN'S representatives to help us whenever we needed to on a personal basis, usually through email. They knew everything about the country and helped us in every aspect from how to behave at a bar, to where to find discounts for different activities online. They knew everything about the culture and also had a great relationship with the Otago staff to help us with academic and accomadation issues. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
TEAN covered the cost for our bedding packs, whic you can rent through the international student office in campus at the University of Otago. This pack included sheets, pillows, pillow cases, a comforter, duvet cover and whatever else you can think of that you would need for your bed. The bed was also a full size, which is much nicer than I was use to in a typical dorm setting. I got lucky and had my flat located 3 doors down from university buildings. Walking from my flat to class, or down town for the mall or nigthlife was super easy, probably a 20 minute walk tops. I never felt unsafe in my neighborhood and it was super awesome how I shared a yard with 4 other international flats on my street. These all contained 3-4 international students as well as 1-2 local kiwi students. The flats also included everything such as laundry machines, showers, untencils, ovens, fridge etc. We did not have to worry about buying a single thing for our appartment while we were there. Because it was operated by the university, any problem we encountered with the shower or other appliances was covered by the university's staff and was taken care of in a very timely manner. |
| * Food: |
MEAT PIES AND SWEET CHILI SAUCE! meat pies are cheap and delicous and are found in just about every cafe or rest stop, and sweet chili is pretty much the replacement for ketchup. There is however "tomato sauce" which most people think tastes okay but it was still very different tasting from the ketchup that I am use to here. Everything else is basically the same to that you would find in the states. They do have McDonalds, Dennys, and Dominos in the area of Dunedin as well as many local resteraunts. Fergburger is located in queenstown and is the most famous burger place in New Zealand. There is also a delicous local version of fergburger located in the center of Dunedin called Velvet burger where ther is a 2 for 1 discount on tuesdays between I think 5 and 7! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Our program took another student and I to an All Blacks vs Fiji game during the semester which was super fun! It was even more memorable because Fiji also grew very close to our hearts during the pre-semester Fiji excursion trip that TEAN took us all to for 4 days before arriving in New Zealand. At the end of the semester we all also met up in Wellington in the north island for a farewell lunch where we had an awesome meal, got ice cream for desert, and hiked to the top of Mount Vic to get one last view of the city. TEAN definitely helped out with getting us use to the culture and making sure we felt at home. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
I never encountered any saftey or health issues while in Dunedin, but there is health insurance included with your enrollment with TEAN! |
| 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) |
|
Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Anyone would benefit! I did a lottt of research as to which program to travel with and I definitely noticed that the people with TEAN were very personable and willing to help with any questions you had either during the application process or while already overseas. |
