Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I'm coming back to New Zealand Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 02/24/2016 to 06/22/2016 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. How I work in a larger school, a co-ed school for that matter. How much I value the outdoors and what it means to me to be able to apply what I've learned in the classroom to my leisurely hikes.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 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? Yes

New Zealand is an incredible country. The institution I studied at was very different from my home institution and I feel like that was a very valuable experience as well.

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 USD
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Look into what programs the local school has and what the students do. I discovered Free Breakfast every morning and $3 lunches. Buying groceries all together with my flatmates and trading off cooking helped too. We were able to get bigger portions, food was less likely to spoil, and we all split the cost.

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
  • 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 country
  • the people
* What could be improved?
  • academics
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Prioritize people and adventures - studying will fall into place more easily than you think. Form a study group with local students.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'