New Zealand is the Place to Be! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Each of the classes is only 50 minutes long, and then there is a (sometimes optional) tutorial once a week for each class. The tutorials are more one-on-one time to work on homework, ask questions, or do additional work. Grading system is different (ie an 74% is a B-), and the work load was less than at home, but fairly average. Most class sizes were large (smallest was 50 students, largest was 600).

On-site administration of your program

I never had any contact from anyone from the program while I was in New Zealand.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in the on university international housing which was the best decision I made while abroad. It was safe, fun, and a 10 minute walk from campus. Since I went to study in Dunedin, New Zealand, we were about a 15 minute walk from the grocery store and only 20 minute walk from downtown (where all the bars, nightlife things were). Also since we were in university housing, there were lots of drinking/social activities all the time next door. We had all the dishes in the apartment, all we had to buy were toiletries and bedding. I also had to buy extra gloves and long sleeved shirts since it was winter when I lived there.

There really aren't too many foods specific to New Zealand, but around Dunedin are lots of Asian and Turkish restaurants. Right by campus is a place called The Flying Squid which is super cheap and delicious Fish and Chips. Also in the mall downtown there was a great kebab place in the bottom floor. Once I learned how to cook, that was the cheapest and best option.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There was nothing arranged by my program while I was in New Zealand. In Dunedin there are ample opportunities to meet people outside of classes--social events, international student parties, "Clubs and Socs" (a building near campus with full cooking/dance/workout/etc classes, clubs (I personally did the Meditation and Yoga cub), and Cadbury Chocolate Festival to name a few.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Overall, New Zealand is an extremely safe country. It is in the culture there to hitchhike, but I don't personally recommend it. We had one safety incident with my flatmate's car being torched (burned from a bonfire built inside it) but it was dealt with. I was extremely sick 2 out of 6 months of living there due to the cold wet weather. I spent time at the university's health center which was great, and the pharmacies were extremely easy to get to and use. I did not need any vaccines for this program.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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• Apartment

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• Americans
• International Students
• Local Students