The benefits of studying abroad are many and varied and include: Broadening your mind in regards to your perspectives on life – at the end of the day we only know what we have been told and experienced. Enabling you to be truly independent and resilient as travelling from home means you have few possessions and creature comforts. You will learn different styles of teaching and learning and if you embrace all the opportunities that you are given you may find that you grow and develop in ways that you just wouldn’t staying in your home country.
A group of Pacific Island students and staff performing a traditional ‘Ava Ceremony at the University of Otago.
When in Rome
Speaking of the opportunities given to you, this is a common thread in discussions with students who have travelled and studied abroad – take every chance to try new experiences, taste new foods, learn, especially when it comes to local customs and cultures. Be open to learn not only from an academic point of view, but from a humanitarian point of view. Learning how other cultures view the world that we live in can not only be enriching but can also help you navigate your way around your new found study destination.
Take the time to learn about the local culture, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Study your new surroundings
The University of Otago offers a selection of papers that are purely New Zealand and Pacific in their focus. Whether you are interested in learning about Māori or Pacific societies or you fancy learning more about the geological processes that shaped New Zealand, or you’ve seen our films and want to understand more about why New Zealand Cinema has its own distinctive style, there are so many options to choose from.
University of Otago Geology students learning about how New Zealand was formed.
Papers on offer
We have compiled a list of New Zealand and Pacific focused papers that you can take whilst studying at Otago University and we couldn’t urge you more to ‘just do it,’ you have nothing to lose and everything to gain, when in New Zealand, do as New Zealanders do!
“Experience, travel – these are an education in themselves.”
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Nicky Richardson is an International Marketing Coordinator at the University of Otago. With degrees in music and marketing, she is a recent graduate of Otago herself – she loves Otago so much she ended up getting a job here!
