IFSA University of Otago Partnership

When I landed in New Zealand, I was freaking out. I knew absolutely no one and I had slept for around 4 hours in the last day of travel. But, I was met with the people who would make my abroad experience so special. The staff of IFSA truly felt like a safety net for me. I was so excited to go out with the friend I made through IFSA and try new things, putting myself out there, and every time I did, I knew that Sian and Christina would be there for me if I needed help. I truly felt safe and supported in Dunedin because of the IFSA staff. They threw us students together as soon as we got to the Pre-Orientation program, making it easy for us to meet each other and settle in. They continued to reach out through the semester for coffee catch ups or ice cream outings. The trips they planned for us were extraordinary. I fully attribute my ability to enjoy my time in New Zealand to IFSA and could not recommend studying abroad with IFSA more. In terms of the Otago program specifically, it was exactly what I wanted. The beach was a 25 minute bus ride away, and amazing weekend hikes were close by as well. The town of Dunedin is a college town through and through, so there's never a dull moment. Live music can be found just about every night of the week, and you're never more than a 5 minute walk from a coffee shop. To me, studying abroad with IFSA at University of Otago is a no-brainer. What I got out of the experience (new passions, a better understating of myself, and life-long friends) will stay with me forever.

When I arrived in New Zealand I was pensive and worried being so far from the United States. Thankfully, I made a good group of friends within my IFSA program. We would do homework together, explore the city, and I even went on a couple of hikes on the other side of New Zealand! Adjusting to the workload in another country was difficult at first, but with the support from my friends it wasn’t all that bad. The mountains I climbed with my friends made the mountains of work I had more bearable.

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My IFSA experience was life changing. I experienced the highest highs and lowest lows of my life so far, all of which changed me for the better. Our orientation was informative, adventurous, and extremely community-oriented. While it was very emotionally, socially, and physically exhausting, my memories of sea kayaking, trail blazing, bird watching, sunrise-watching, visiting a Maori sanctuary, and sharing meals are some of my most cherished, and allowed long lasting friendships to organically and enthusiastically begin to form. The IFSA excursion, particularly the Doubtful Sound sailing trip, were some of the most emotionally/mentally challenging yet rewarding experiences of my entire time abroad. A huge thank you to the IFSA staff!!! The University of Otago is beautiful, academically challenging, always bursting with activity, and despite its large size, I always felt cared for by professors/lecturers and engaged in small class sizes. I felt I could not have been in a more perfect, classic university environment than at University of Otago. The biggest drawback for me was access to health (particularly mental health) resources. Especially as an international student, accessing counselors, check ups, medicinal prescriptions, and specialists were extremely challenging (often having to wait weeks for appointments or pay massive copays for necessary prescriptions). As a study abroad student with mental health issues and a chronic illness, this was both frustrating and discouraging. I appreciated the outreach and support of my in-city IFSA advisors in the midst of that frustration. Dunedin is a lively little city with interesting restaurants, cafes, parties, museums, and architecture. The surrounding mountains and beaches make for an INCREDIBLE outdoors experience at the foot of your doorstep (though the entire South Island itself is brimming with unbelievable scenery and adventure). Public transportation is very limited, which makes outings and outdoor recreation very challenging. This is a major downside of studying in Dunedin (whereas Wellington may have offered more city experiences and walkable/public transit options), though tons of students (as well as campus clubs) are willing to help each other out with rides and carpooling. Overall, my experience

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The time I was able to spend in Dunedin through IFSA’s University of Otago program is something that I will hold dear for the rest of my life. IFSA facilitated the experiences that defined my time in New Zealand and provided me with the resources and support needed to make the most of my semester abroad. From the moment I was accepted, IFSA helped lay out exactly what I still needed to get done, from housing forms to visas to what to pack. IFSA’s orientation was incredible and helped me get over jet lag, showed me some of New Zealand’s beautiful landscape, and introduced me to many of the friends I would spend the next 5 months with. During my time abroad, IFSA provided structure, friendly faces, goal tracking, incredible trips, and countless resources. The IFSA staff in Dunedin with me were lovely humans who stayed relevant and were always ready to help with academics, housing, any medical issues, and whatever else life threw at me or my fellow IFSA kids. The trips IFSA took us on, specifically the overnight boat cruise in Doubtful Sound, were simply amazing. I would have never been able to organize such a trip myself and looking back on my time abroad this boat cruise was one of my favorite memories (which is really saying something as New Zealand gave me a lot of favorites!). In summary, choosing IFSA made my abroad experience the wonderful time it was and I cannot encourage other nature-loving, kiwi enthusiasts enough to go to New Zealand through IFSA!

I enjoyed every single moment of studying abroad! The application process was simplified by the amazing IFSA staff who provided guidance through every step of the way! There was never any feeling of uncertainty as the IFSA staff answered every single question! While I was in New Zealand, I enjoyed all of the activities which the IFSA team had planned throughout the semester! They always ensured we were being involved in the New Zealand community and offered check-ins throughout the semester to track our progress and how we are assimilating to the new/unfamiliar setting. While the academic setting was drastically different (which made the transition a bit more difficult), I still enjoyed all of the classes I took! I always had at least one student from my IFSA program in one of my classes which made it easier the academic experience even better! There were rarely ever any moments of sadness or anxiety, and it's all thanks to the amazing IFSA team!

Studying abroad in NZ through IFSA was one of the best decisions I have ever made. From the start, IFSA staff provided unending support whether it was answering my many pre-departure questions, handling housing and enrollment, or checking in with me while in NZ. IFSA's in-country orientation was a great way to meet other abroad students before arriving to campus and helped me meet people from abroad that I am still friends with today. New Zealand is an incredible place that has such a rich environmental and cultural history where you can learn a lot both inside and outside the classroom. IFSA helped to enhance our experience to all that NZ has to offer through their excursions to an ecosanctuary, a local restaurant, and an overnight cruise through the Doubtful Sound. During my time abroad, I discovered so many opportunities to go explore the country, whether it be through clubs, IFSA trips, or just a roadtrip with friends. IFSA enables you to take part in an abundance new experiences and new opportunities while in New Zealand - the only thing left for you to do is take advantage of them!

My time with IFSA in New Zealand was by far the best experience of my life. I grew so much as a person, met lifelong friends, and saw the most beautiful places. I can’t imagine who I’d be without this experience. The people of NZ were so kind and inclusive. IFSA was there for me every step of the way.

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If you're on the fence about studying abroad, my advice is to DO IT - you will not regret it! My time at University of Otago in New Zealand with IFSA-Butler was the best five months of my life and I'd do anything to live through it all again! From the moment we all got there, there was always something to do. While in Dunedin, you'll live in "uni-flats" - a small 4-6 person house. The houses themselves are nothing to write home about (but hey, I didn't go to NZ to sleep indoors all the time!), but my flat was located in a stellar area. Amazing hikes to beautiful beaches or breathtaking vistas were within walking distance or a short bus ride/ drive; city center, filled with lots of bars, clubs, and restaurants was a 15 minute walk from my flat; and the parties (many just 1 block away)... I had the most fun I've ever had at a party while I was in Dunedin - everyone was so eager to meet new people, and the themes were ridiculously fun! The small city is very much dominated by students, so the whole area is lively, welcoming, and fun. Nearly every weekend, I'd go on hiking/ backpacking trips around South Island. Some of my friends bought cars with their flatmates/ friends, something I'd do if I were to go back; however, I did manage just fine without a car for myself. Classes were far easier than classes I've taken at my university in the states, but I still felt like I learned just as much. I come from a small liberal arts college and had no big issues adapting to classes/ life at a large university (24,000 undergrad). My one complaint about NZ is their healthcare system - while they do offer free healthcare for "accidents" (which is a fantastic thing to have), their approach to simple colds or insomnia were absurd and useless for me - my advice is to bring your own medications/ any medications you think you might need (antihistamines, cough syrup) from home. IFSA-Butler was a FANTASTIC program to go with. Orientation was 4 days long and in an incredible location, so by the time all us IFSA kids got to UoO, we were already close with each other. I still am good friends with and keep in touch with my IFSA friends (I'm even traveling around with one of them this summer!). Throughout the semester, IFSA held plenty of catch up/ fun events, from dinners to day trips to an overnight boat trip on one of the fiords. IFSA staff was always there to help you if you needed it. Overall, I couldn't imagine a more perfect study abroad experience!

IFSA gave me the freedom to decide how I wanted to spend my time while insuring that I had support and a community if I wanted this. They had plenty of events and activities but none of them were mandatory, so I was able to chose which ones I wanted to attend. The University of Otago is a wonderful university to study abroad at, and IFSA really helped me to take advantage of everything there.

Words nor photographs can fully describe the breathtaking beauty of New Zealand. Choosing the University of Otago as my host university, and choosing IFSA-Butler as my study abroad program, were some of the best decisions of my life. The IFSA staff are so warm and welcoming from the moment you step off the plane, bleary-eyed and jet-lagged. They ensure that you're well-prepared for your adventures ahead, and plan fun excursions throughout the semester that you can take part it (you're missing out if you don't). The university itself is stunning, and the range of courses and variety of university clubs was so exciting for a small liberal arts college kid. I highly encourage volunteering in the community, through the university's volunteer office or clubs (like the conservation volunteer club!). It's so rewarding to be able to give back to the community that truly starts to feel like home. I can't condense my experience into a short paragraph, but suffice to say, New Zealand will always have my heart.

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Through the IFSA-Butler program I was able to access a life in New Zealand I had no idea would change me so much. I learned some incredible life skills such as adaptability, self confidence, and planning skills that I will use forever. Though I was worried about the support of IFSA-Butler before I departed, once I got to New Zealand I was fully supported and given everything I needed to be successful. At Otago they have incredible international housing and resources. Then, IFSA-Butler took it to the next level by providing incredible travel opportunities where we learned about the culture, food, and got to experience the natural wonders of New Zealand. I felt like IFSA-Butler was just the right amount of involved in my experience, and I feel very fortunate to have gone with them.

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Trying to break out of my shell is what really made the experience unique, and I'm still in contact with some of the people I met six months later - the experiences you can have when you try something totally new are really amazing.

This was far and away the best experience of my life. It was so much fun to go someplace totally new and make friends that I still talk to from home. The experience was pretty eye-opening, too; we always think of people from other countries as being totally different but frankly they're really not. Most of the things we did could have been done without going abroad, but those one or two activities that you actually had to be there for made all the difference in the world.

Studying abroad in New Zealand is an experience that nothing will be able to live up to. Part of this is due to IFSA Butler. They not only made the process seamless, but they put together amazing dinners and trips for our entire group once we arrived. The New Zealand landscapes are stunning, but the people are what made my experience. They broke me out of my shell and pushed me to do activities I would never have imagined I would do. I studied abroad a year ago, and I am still in contact with my friends from there on a weekly basis. If you are thinking about studying abroad, don't question it! Just go and from my experience Otago is the school to go to.

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Nothing is ever 100% perfect, but my study abroad experience at the University of Otago was pretty darn close. I lived in international housing with a Kiwi host (a native New Zealander) in addition to three other international students. We were all in the same boat and eager to explore! Although I did my fair share of studying on the weekdays, my weekends were filled with adventure. IFSA had prepaid, planned outings for the group throughout the semester. While these can easily be on the boring side, IFSA planned AMAZING outings! In addition to a ghost tour and a biking trip, we also got to spend an entire weekend cruising in Doubtful Sound on a luxury boat. I left the US with a backpack and a suitcase, but returned with some of the most incredible friendships and memories I only could've dreamed of. All in all, I'm beyond thankful I took the leap of faith and spent my semester in Dunedin, NZ.

My experience was phenomenal. I loved the location of Dunedin, the people, the activities, the school clubs, and much more. I was able to not only make friends within my IFSA Butler group, but branch out and become great friends with people from New Zealand also. I joined the Ski Club, learned how to ski, and became very close with many of them. They helped break down my walls. I used to get very nervous when talking to people I did not know and was very reserved when I did talk, but that changed when I was abroad. I had to step out of my comfort zone and I am glad they made me do so. I also tried activities I had never done before. I faced my fears, because they seemed to have no fears. I loved IFSA Butler, the location, and the people of New Zealand.

If you are thinking about NZ for study abroad and need to find a program, look no further. As a pre-med collegiate athlete studying abroad is typically not an option. However going through IFSA butler met both the academic and the athletic requirements I needed to be able to study abroad. They worked with my school in getting grades and class information to transfer into my major and you receive a Butler University transcript for the classes you take so Medical Schools count them as classes taken in the US. They also helped make my athletic training requirements a breeze. By working with them ahead of time I was placed in an apartment close to the pool so I could train with the local swim team everyday without having to figure out commuting via bus or car. Even past the academic and athletics these guys made pre-departure/orientation/ and the return process as painless as possible. Staff in Dunedin was and the South Island were fun and always willing to help with any issues we encountered. Also they do 2-3 all inclusive and fun excursions that are included in the program fees which a provide planning free adventure.