Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amazing friends and outdoor adventures Past Review

By (Chemistry., Wellesley College) - abroad from 02/13/2014 to 06/18/2014 with

University of Otago, New Zealand: Study Abroad Programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was great to get a new perspective on my major and be able to live in an environment very different from Wellesley. I think I gained a new sense of independence and really benefitted from meeting many new people and traveling around New Zealand. The hiking around South Island is pretty accessible from Dunedin and made for many awesome weekends. It was definitely worthwhile!

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.

* 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

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)

Living in NZ is expensive!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 125
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Just be aware that you will probably spend more money than you think while abroad! There are so many neat things to do in NZ; spend money on the things you truly want to do.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • So many outdoor adventures and great friends.
* What could be improved?
  • Flats can get very cold-- no central heating. If you are prepared, it is manageable.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I think I should have had a better idea of how expensive living in NZ would be. Very worth it though!

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.