Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An outdoor experience with a friendly and welcoming student culture. Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/19/2018 to 06/20/2018 with

University of Otago, New Zealand: Study Abroad Programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about another culture, how to be an adult, and a lot about myself. It was worthwhile and I wish I had spent a year abroad.

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.

The academic setting was different from the setting to which I am accustomed. There were plenty of resources to help navigate this new environment.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Although I directly enrolled to the university and did not do a program, my housing program, UniFlats, went above and beyond and felt like a quasi-program in itself.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with nice people and in a beautiful home-style shared house.

* Food:

I cooked for myself, but it was 5 stars.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt somewhat integrated through my "kiwi host."

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never had any health issues.

* Safety:

I was never worried about my safety.

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

I loved being in New Zealand and being able to travel around the North Island when I first arrived and the South Island during school. I also was able to travel to other Australasian countries.

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)

Food was somewhat expensive, but the conversion rate generally helped make things more reasonable.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I spent approximately $250 on food and other expenses.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? As tempting as it may be, do not go to the largest grocery store and buy in bulk. I did this for the first several weeks of the semester. While the prices may be better, I found myself throwing food out and wasting a lot. It was definitely cheaper to visit the grocery store throughout the week and the store was close enough that I could make a quick trip if need be.

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

  • Other
  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The outdoors and the geography of New Zealand.
  • Living with a "Kiwi Host."
  • Living around completely new people.
* What could be improved?
  • Not a whole lot.
  • I wish there was a little bit more opportunity to meet local students.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I know now that I should've made even more of an effort to meet fellow internationals at the very start.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Environmental Economics
Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Viktoria Kahui
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The class was very well taught and the professor was very organized. I enjoyed having a mix of assessments, and it was nice to be rewarded for attending lectures.
Credit Transfer Issues: I have yet to attempt to transfer this credit but do not foresee any difficulties.
Course Name/Rating:

Introduction to Maori Society
Course Department: Maori Studies
Instructor: Various Professors
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This class was straightforward. I found that most of the material in the course was directly related to the textbook and this was probably the best way to keep up to date.
Credit Transfer Issues: I have yet to attempt to transfer the credit.
Course Name/Rating:

Economics of Health and Education
Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Paul Hansen
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I really enjoyed this course. I found all of the material relevant and fairly up-to-date. I also very much enjoyed my professor. He had a lot of experience in the field and even came up with a software for decision-making analysis.
Credit Transfer Issues: I have not attempted to transfer this credit so far.
Course Name/Rating:

Environmental History of New Zealand
Course Department: Interdepartmental
Instructor: Tom Brooking
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The class was somewhat challenging. It was taught by many different professors and I found that style disorienting. The class was assessment was entirely composed of essays.
Credit Transfer Issues: I have not attempted to transfer my credit as of yet.