Student Feedback Information 2004/2006

OUTGOING STUDENT FEEDBACK FORM 10-11

University Attended: University of Otago, New Zealand 1 of 2

INDUCTION/ORIENTATION PROGRAMME There was an induction lecture for all new Internationals with a fair afterwards giving advice on lots of things. There was also a number of events put on by the International Office to help integrate the students which was a great help to meet people.

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE All very similar to MBS in terms of amount of work, type of work. They even have their very own ‘Blackboard’ facility. If anything I found the work of less magnitude and difficulty than at Manchester.

MBS INTERNATIONAL OFFICE MBS International office were great all year round with their help and support, which was very much appreciated!

MBS SECOND YEAR MEETINGS I can’t think of any additional information.

HOST INTERNATIONAL OFFICE There is a large International Office at Otago where there are plenty of friendly staff that are always really helpful. The people at the University Flats Office (the people who run the international accommodation) are also very helpful too.

INSURANCE, HEALTH COVER Compulsory student insurance is needed at Otago called StudentSafe. I don’t believe it is waived.

INFORMATION ON ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS ‘Sundry fees’ amounted to just under NZ$1000 per semester. Make sure you pay early as late fees get charged. As well as late fees for not registering in time – which is easy to do late for second semester if you’ve been off travelling over the summer.

ACCOMMODATION ONLY stay in University Flats – great social atmosphere, independence and support from the Kiwi hosts and University Flats Office. The colleges are strict compared to UoM halls. Only other recommended option would be to find your own flat for second semester as rent is very cheap and you can also then be located more centrally.

DESTINATION INFORMATION AND OVERALL EXPERIENCE Transport: Dunedin is pretty small! You can walk pretty much anywhere you need within the city. Transport within NZ is pretty awful though, investing in a car/van is popular (with a view to selling it on when you leave) as it’s the perfect way to explore NZ. Travel: Queenstown (bungy jumping, sky diving, clubs, skiing) is only 3 hours away. New Zealand is a stunning country with loads of things to do, make the most of it! Use your 3 and half month summer to enjoy Christmas down under! It’s a perfect opportunity to travel through Australia and/or South East Asia. Social life: Dunedin has a very similar vibe to Fallowfield with a huge number of students situated in a small place. Which obviously leads to a great social life! Integration with local students: ‘Kiwi Hosts’ are in every University Flat giving you great opportunities to make friends from New Zealand. Definitely try and get out there and meet Kiwis as they are possibly the friendliest people in the World and the Americans will drive you mad otherwise! Student activity groups: The University Flats have lots of sports teams and events planned that help you meet other Internationals. There are lots of University sports teams too which are easy to get involved with.

DESCRIBE IN ONE SENTENCE YOUR YEAR ABROAD ______It was like living in Fallowfield but with the most beautiful and adventurous country on your doorstep.

OUTGOING STUDENT FEEDBACK FORM

University Attended University of Otago 2 of 2

INDUCTION/ORIENTATION PROGRAMME

Despite entering into the second semester it was very easy to make friends with other international students and kiwis since the ‘kiwi hosts’ organised many flat parties in the first week- and indeed the entire year! The ease of which I was able to make new friends in the first couple weeks was of course a critical factor in the immense enjoyment I got from the rest of year. My kiwi hosts Will and Shaun (I had two, but most flats had just one) also made the settling in process easier by having ‘inside knowledge’ of the local area- mainly where the best bars were located! Re-O week also included a train ride through the local countryside with a BBQ at the end- another decent opportunity to meet other internationals.

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

The biggest difference I found from Manchester is that courses tend to be weighted more heavily towards coursework at Otago- The final exam would not usually be weighted above 50% on the papers I took. Many courses involved group work, and I found lectures to be more interactive than in Manchester- usually conducted in class rooms as opposed to large lecture halls. I was allowed to take two modules (one in each semester) that was not related to Management; Maori Society, Maori dance (learn the Haka!), and Sociology of New Zealand Society were all popular choices among International Students. All in all I found the modules at Otago to be similar to Manchester in terms of workload and difficulty.

MBS INTERNATIONAL OFFICE

No complaints, MBS international office was very helpful in dealing with key issues, such as Visa documentation.

MBS SECOND YEAR MEETINGS

These meetings were helpful- particularly having the chance to meet the two girls on exchange in Manchester from Otago since they were able to provide valuable knowledge regarding accommodation, flights and courses.

HOST INTERNATIONAL OFFICE

The Otago student exchange office was very helpful- particularly assisting in the course approval process which can be slightly confusing at first. INSURANCE, HEALTH COVER

It was compulsory to purchase the Student Safe insurance at Otago- costing approximately 500 NZD for the year. This is a specialised policy for International Students and therefore provides cover for missed flights etc, as well as standard cover for burglary etc.

INFORMATION ON ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS

The Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) charges a membership fee and a building levy. The University of Otago charges the Welfare Services and Recreation Levy, an Internet Access Fee and a Capital Development Levy. All these fees come under the title of ‘Sundry fees’ and will total approximately 580 NZD for the year.

ACCOMMODATION

I would strongly recommend staying in one of the University- Owned International Flats (Uni- Flats). This is by far the most popular option for International Students and the integration between flats in the same complex (although not all flats are part of a complex as such) makes for a very fun environment. Since the International flats also have a ‘kiwi host’ there will be ample opportunity to make some kiwi friends too- although realistically if you stay in Uni- Flats you will be hanging out with far more Internationals (lots of Americans!). This can be advantageous since many people will be looking to buy cars together/ travel the country together.

DESTINATION INFORMATION AND OVERALL EXPERIENCE

Every Weekend many International Students will go travelling around the South Island (definitely my preferred island)- extreme sports in Queenstown, Boat trip around Milford Sound, Kayaking in Abel Tasman- there is lots to see and do! ‘Tramping’ opportunities are plentiful- with some of the most stunning scenery in the world to hike through. The university offers Weekend trips to such destinations, although organising trips among other International’s will work out cheaper. In the mid semester and summer breaks I went to Australia several times- there is direct flights from Dunedin to Brisbane, whilst flights to Sydney depart from Christchurch (I became accustomed to the rather tedious 6 hour Dunedin- Christchurch Knightrider). Many International students will find time to travel the North Island and/ or one of the Pacific Islands- Fiji and Samoa were both popular choices. The exchange students from Manchester have the huge advantage of having the summer break to travel in, and therefore I found the many of the other International students (the vast majority only stay for one semester) much more eager to travel every weekend- which obviously means missing out on the ‘fun and games’ back in Dunedin. The social life was fantastic; indeed I found the integration among students to be even stronger than in Manchester!

DESCRIBE IN ONE SENTENCE YOUR YEAR ABROAD

I’m 99.9% sure I would not have enjoyed any other exchange university as much as I enjoyed Otago.