Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

New Zealand: A very rewarding experience, but not perfect. Past Review

By (Political Science, Wellesley College) for

University of Otago, New Zealand: Study Abroad Programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes it was worthwhile. I learned that I am stronger than I think I am. I learned that I can live very well independently. And I further instilled my love for travel.

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.

I enjoyed the courses I was taking very much, but did not appreciate the different academic system. Being a student at Wellesley (and I believe like most American college experiences) I am used to a vigorous work load with a lot of assignments, quizzes and tests, and I did not receive that abroad. I found my exams were very spread out and counted for a large proportion of my final course grade. I learned a lot by this new academic system, including how to work more independently outside of class with much less structure.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I was dissuaded from applying through a program. I would have really loved to go through a program because my friends who went through a program talked about all the things their program did for them. They went to a Maori village and had connections to the university that I did not. They were there well before I was to solidify relationships within their group. And I was left on my own to figure everything out, which while I feel i benefited from that in long wrong, I dont think my independence would have been compromised had I gone through a program.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Was with 4 american girls and 1 host "kiwi-host" New Zealand female student. I would have liked to live with more international students and perhaps a male (because I go to an all girls school).

* Food:

We were left on our own to buy food from the local supermarket and we each were responsible for cooking dinner one night a week (breakfast and lunch were on our own). While this system was nice and allowed for some freedom and flexibility, the food was quite expensive there. I loved cooking though!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I loved the trips that I took with my friends (hiking, walking, sky-diving, general traveling). Sky-diving was my most memorable experience, but I loved going to the beaches very much. The scenery is surreal, but once I got there I took full advantage of every gorgeous location I could.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The university health program was similar to the one here at Wellesley. They had a health services office that I made use of at least once (I got tonsilitis at one point). The campus police were extremely friendly and helpful. They offered to drive me home from downtown on multiple occasions.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would suggest buying local food. American food is very expensive in NZ. The Indian food was phenomenal!

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

  • Other
* 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?
  • I most liked the freedom that this university gave its students, this allowed me to make the most of travel opportunities.
* What could be improved?
  • Wellelsey should have let me go through a program, I was left on my own.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? A very outdoorsy student with the desire to hike and travel (one that doesnt mind going a couple of days without showering) would benefit most from going to this university. This university has a very strong science (genetics and microbiology) department.