Nothing Short of Adventure! Past Review
By Micaela K (Food and Nutrition, Simmons College) - abroad from 02/04/2013 to 06/20/2013 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Dunedin - University of Otago
I gained many skills from my experience. Some skills included how to survive in the outdoors, while others were more personal such as being more outgoing and not being afraid to try new things. It was absolutely worthwhile since it made me stronger as a person.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Everything about this program: the location, the people, the housing, the resources. It was the time of my life and I wouldn't ask for anything more. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The study abroad office was easily accessible at the University of Otago and they were very accommodating. They held international dinners and helped us feel part of the community. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
At the University of Otago they had international students stay in UniFlats, which were apartments a short walk from campus, that all had one "kiwi host" that helped us adjust to our new environment. The flats were very clean and spacey and made me feel like part of the community. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I unfortunately has a sinus infection my first week in Dunedin. I decided to go straight to the student health center where I was seen very promptly and given a prescription for antibiotics. The way the Health Center was run was very formal and clean, like an actual doctor's office. I felt at home and and was very pleased with how they helped me with my unfortunate illness. |
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| 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) |
Traveling around New Zealand was surprisingly very affordable. Most of my expenses were on food. Which, since a lot of food is imported, can get a little pricey. But once you learn the deals, a budget can be easily made. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $80-$100 on food, $50-$80 on other expenses |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | In New Zealand, rental car companies will sometimes have an option to rent a "relocation car" this means you rent the car fro FREE as long as you return it to the location they tell you to bring it to. This was a great way to travel around the South Island and see more than if we had just taken a bus. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | I wish I knew how fast 4 months went by so I could have taken more time to see and do some things i may have missed out on. |
