Decide how much you'd like to explore in an incredible country Past Review

By (geology, biology, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/11/2018 to 06/23/2018 with

University of Canterbury: Christchurch - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
- gained experience navigating an unfamiliar (smaller) city, organizing my own travel plans in a foreign country (transportation, accommodation, food, activities), learned what to do when plans don't work out - extremely worthwhile experience, exciting to leave the U.S. and see the opposite side of the world

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?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

- University of Canterbury has a good location on the South Island, close to airport, hiking, beaches, ski fields, plenty of opportunities for road trips

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $60

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • self-arranged opportunities to explore South Island
  • lots of free time for encounters with plants and wildlife
  • easy-going student lifestyle
* What could be improved?
  • direct enrollment, so limited support from UC or home university
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? - the amount of sights you can see and activities you do depends on how ambitious you are and how quickly you become comfortable with organizing your own travel plans (renting cars, booking hostels, finding camping gear and free campgrounds) - take advantage of the good weather while you can! - amazing experience, even for friends who didn't get to explore the country as much

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

BIOL212: Marine Biology and Ecology

Course Department: Biology
Instructor: John Pirker, Islay Marsden, Sharyn Goldstien
Instruction Language: English
Comments: - awesome field trip to Kaikoura, labs were interesting and effective in teaching marine taxa
Credit Transfer Issues: