Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Not to be Forgotten Past Review

By (University of Iowa) - abroad from 06/28/2019 to 11/11/2019 with

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Dunedin - University of Otago

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be independent. My whole traditional support system was quite literally on the other side of the world with a large time difference. If I ever had an issue, I was always able to contact my RA with TEAN and they would always provide a plethora of information to keep me prepared

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had issues with my first flat assignment, and they fixed it right away in a place that I was comfortable in and fit in well with.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

It was super accessible and easy to use

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Dunedin was amazing, with great access to the reason why I went to New Zealand in the first place: the outdoors. Fiordland is a short trip away, so is Mount Cook National Park. There are plenty of options of hikes around Dunedin, including Mount Cargill which is about a 10 minute drive outside the city center. The Otago Peninsula has so many beautiful beaches and the little blue penguins are the cutest ever.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Find deals, even though eating out is good, you are able to save a lot of money by staying in, and you can make friends and cook together

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Orientation and getting to know people who would be all around New Zealand
  • The support staff on ground in New Zealand was always willing to help
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that I had reached out to my Kiwi Host before arriving, then I could have gotten some non-vital information about my specific flat (ex: culture of the flat, if he tended to socialize with the flats around the one we would be living in etc.).

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 Adventurer
The 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.