Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

University of Otago in Dunedin: A Fantastic Experience! Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 07/02/2018 to 11/16/2018 with

University of Otago, New Zealand: Study Abroad Programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I continued to refine my ability to adjust to new cultures and locations around the world. This was a very worthwhile experience.

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

The staff in the international students office were very kind and helpful throughout the entire process. They were very responsive all the way from me applying to the school to me transferring credit back.

* 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 has so much to offer. While, I was able to explore much of the landscape, there is still so much more that I have to see. I definitely plan to return someday.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? It was very common for people to buy a very cheap car to facilitate traveling around New Zealand. This can save money on other travel expenses and was a crucial part of my travels.

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
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Traveling / Hiking
  • Classes
  • Friends / People
* What could be improved?
  • n/a
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? There is much about the area and traveling around the country that was unclear to me before the program. However, I think it's best to learn these things while in the country.

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:

Database Theory and Applications
Course Department: Computer Science
Instructor: Haibo Zhang
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Object-oriented Programming and User Interfaces
Course Department: Computer Science
Instructor: Paul Crane
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Dynamic Earth: A New Zealand Perspective
Course Department: Geology
Instructor: Mike Palin
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Māori Society
Course Department: Māori Studies
Instructor: Erica Newman
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: