Adventures in Kiwi Country 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?
yes worthwhile, i learned to focus less on school and enjoy the experience from a social standpoint

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.

* 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? No

Education component was not what I wanted, but the country was awesome

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? 100-150

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
  • 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • the people
* What could be improved?
  • the education system
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? not much to do in the town

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

MAOR 108 –Waiata: Te Tīmatanga

Course Department: Maori Studies
Instructor: Karyn Paringatai
Instruction Language: English/Maori
Comments: Very fun, interactive course that is perfect for students who want an easy course that also allows you to learn about the culture (better if student isnt shy, but rather outgoing)
Credit Transfer Issues: havent tried yet
Course Name/Rating:

HIST 310: ISSUES IN U.S. HISTORY

Course Department: History
Instructor: Russell Johnson
Instruction Language: English
Comments: kind of interesting topic, but most students didnt show up all semester and were able to take the final based off the power point slides posted online
Credit Transfer Issues: havent tried yet
Course Name/Rating:

HIST 225: TOTALITARIAN REGIMES: EUROPE 1922-1945

Course Department: History
Instructor: Chris Barber
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Awful professor who read just off the slides. The prep for the final was memorizing the slides he posted. Grade made up off of midterm paper and final so if you mess up one youre screwed
Credit Transfer Issues: havent tried yet
Course Name/Rating:

ECON 303: ECONOMICS OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Stephen Knowles
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Good professor and interesting topic. Should make tutorial part of the grade otherwise its just one or two students doing the work and participating
Credit Transfer Issues: havent tried yet