Trying new things and learning about yourself Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/18/2016 to 06/23/2016 with

University of Otago, New Zealand: Study Abroad Programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Definitely worthwhile. I learned a lot about myself, what I'm comfortable with, what makes me happy. I gained experience with a different method of schooling from a large university - something I never would've been exposed to if I hadn't gone abroad.

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.

Not very academically rigorous, definitely a less intimate learning experience coming from a small liberal arts college.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Really great, community building.

* 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:

Felt really safe here.

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

Being with a program, instead of with direct enrollment, might've made the first few weeks and the assimilation into the local community here a little easier. Besides that, I greatly enjoyed my experience and would do it again in a heartbeat.

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? $150 nzd
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? look for deals

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

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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 people; how everyone here is so welcoming and willing to spark a sense of community
  • Being in New Zealand
* What could be improved?
  • not much!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It gets colder than I thought; bring more layers.

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:

Field Studies in New Zealand Geology

Course Department: Geology
Instructor: Ray Marx
Instruction Language: english
Comments: Really well done course - definitely a different style of teaching than compared to back home; much more hands on and field based. Learned a lot that I wouldn't have learned at Middlebury.
Credit Transfer Issues: No