Sweet as Past Review
By A student (Biology/Anthropology, Western Washington University) - abroad from 02/06/2014 to 06/19/2014 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Dunedin - University of Otago
I learned how the US is viewed from an outside perspective. I learned about not only the local culture but other cultures around the world from other international students. Studying abroad is the best decision I have ever made in my academic career.
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. |
Some courses required more effort than initially stated by any of the instructors or syllabus |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing standards are much lower in New Zealand than expected which leads to more health problems than should be acceptable. |
| * Food: |
Adjusting to different available foods and their prices was much more challenging than expected |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The culture in New Zealand is so friendly and they try to include everyone |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Health Care was affordable for an international individual |
| * Safety: |
Dunedin is a very safe town because it is mostly full of students, but like anywhere you are, don't be out alone and tell someone where you are going |
| 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) |
Everything is a little more expensive meaning the money cannot be stretched as far as at home. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $60 -$80 depending on the week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy local, everything imported is 2 or 3 times as much. Farmers markets are the best thing ever! |
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? | How far behind New Zealand is internet wise, I wouldn't have been so disappointed or blindsided with the ability to get a good internet connection. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Biological Anthropology |
| Course Department: | Anatomy |
| Instructor: | Multiple |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This course was challenging enough to allow me to continue to learn without feeling overwhelmed. The instructors were extremely knowledgeable in their area of the field. I participated less than I would at my home institution because there was less opportunities to participate each week. Examinations and assignments were challenging but well organized and useful in learning or showing how much of the material was learned. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
