Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Challenging but I learned a lot about myself and independence. Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/23/2015 to 06/18/2015 with

University of Otago, New Zealand: Study Abroad Programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about myself, and got an amazing chance to see New Zealand. I also learned to appreciate the people I have at home. I learned to patient and that things take time.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Low academic rigor, but the professors were very helpful and kind.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

It was set up and organized satisfactorally.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was unsatisfied with my housing assignment. I felt the people I was assigned to live with had no common interests with me.

* Food:

This does not apply. I cooked my own food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Well integrated.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Health care access was average. I had one issue and I was able to address it by taking personal initiative.

* Safety:

Felt totally safe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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? Approximately $100.00-200.000

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

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • The location
* What could be improved?
  • Ways to meet friends
  • Housing assignments
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that it is better to do a program than to enroll directly.

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Adventure Education
Course Department: PHSE
Instructor: Mike Boyes
Instruction Language:
Comments: It was not challenging, but the Professor was awesome and the content was fun to learn about.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Maori 102
Course Department: Maori Studies
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: It was not challenging, but it was fun and interesting. But the grading of essays was exceptionally easy...to a fault. I felt like my papers might not have even been read.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary Art Music
Course Department: Music
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: I thought it was incredibly interesting and the professors were incredibly nice and very accommodating to me, considering I was the only person in the room who wasn't a music major.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary Pacific Cultures
Course Department:
Instructor: Jade Aikmann-Dodd
Instruction Language:
Comments: The class was incredibly easy, but it was very interesting and I felt like I learned a lot from it. The professor was also an absolutely wonderful person, and I really would recommend this professor and this class to other students studying at OTago
Credit Transfer Issues: