Details

• New Zealand
• MAMark-21
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Registration process at the partner university: The registration process at the partner university was mainly completed online before departure. After receiving the official acceptance letter, I got detailed instructions by email on how to set up my student account and choose my courses. Everything was clearly explained and easy to follow. The university also hosted a pre-departure webinar for exchange students, where you also got the opportunity to address questions directly. Course registration at the partner university: Course registration was done online through the university’s eVision platform. The process was very straightforward. You simply had to select and enrol in your courses, without any first come first serve or bidding system. However, during the winter semester there were not many Marketing courses available, so I ended up choosing one Marketing course and three Management courses instead. After arrival, I decided to change one of my courses because the lecture times fit my schedule better. This was possible within the first few weeks on site, although keep in mind that you have to update your Learning Agreement at WU accordingly if you change courses. Immigration/Visa: You have to apply for the visa through the official Immigration New Zealand website. The process is quite straightforward, but you need to upload several documents such as proof of enrolment, financial evidence, and a valid passport. The visa fee recently increased to around €460, which makes it quite expensive. However, the processing was surprisingly fast - I received my visa just a few days after applying. Health Insurance: Health and travel insurance for international students was mandatory. I found it easier to simply take the recommended Studentsafe Inbound University policy, which cost around €240 for the semester. Alternatively, you could choose another insurance policy, but only if it met the university’s minimum requirements and was comparable. The Studentsafe policy covered almost everything: medical treatment, travel to/from and within New Zealand, medical emergencies, and even car rental insurance. In addition, I also had insurance provided automatically through my credit card.

2. Accommodation

The university offers Uniflats as an accommodation option, which is also the one recommended for exchange students. You live together with other exchange students and usually at least one Kiwi, who can give tips and help you settle in, which is especially helpful during the first weeks. In my flat, there were four people in total. Everyone had their own bedroom, and we shared a kitchen, two bathrooms, and a laundry room. The total rent was around €3,060, plus a €100 Activities Fee and a €100 Placement Fee. The rental period runs from July 1st to mid-December, and the full amount must be paid even if you move out earlier. The rent covers all utilities, including internet, water, and electricity. Cost: 3.260€ (total July - mid December - you can pay upfront or weekly and you have to pay the full 5 1/2 months even if you move out earlier)

3. Academic life at host university

The University of Otago offers a very student-friendly and well-equipped campus with everything within walking distance, from libraries and study spaces to cafés and sports facilities. The academic culture is more informal and personal than at WU, with generally smaller classes and a strong focus on interaction. Teaching is often more discussion-based and practical, with many group activities, presentations and hands-on projects. Compared to WU, the courses felt more applied and creative, while still academically solid. Overall, the learning environment is very supportive, approachable and highly student-centred.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport: For public transport, you can get a Bee Card on campus, load credit, and tap on and off in the bus, though I often walked since many places are nearby. I also bought a car with friends, but it broke down after three weeks; luckily Turner’s (car dealer) refunded us fully. Having a car is generally very useful for weekend trips, and after ours failed, we rented from Pegasus Car Rental, which was reliable and affordable. It would have been cheaper, though, if our car hadn’t broken down, instead of having to rent a car every time. Safety situation: I always felt very safe in Dunedin. The city is relatively small, and especially in the student areas the atmosphere is friendly and calm. The university also has a Campus Watch team that is present around campus day and night. They frequently check in on students, and if you walk home late they often ask whether you’d like them to accompany you. You can also call them at any time if you feel uncomfortable or need assistance. Overall, the safety situation was very reassuring and well-organised. Sports: You can join any of the university’s sports clubs, but I personally mainly used the free university gym, which was very convenient. Shopping, groceries, restaurants/bars, events: For groceries, I mostly went to New World since it was closest; you can get a club card there to save a lot. There’s also Pak’n’Save, but it’s further out, so we only went there when we had a car. Most shopping is on George Street and in the two malls there, though overall shopping options in Dunedin are quite limited. Restaurants and bars are also mainly on George Street, while Great King’s Street has most of the fast-food places. The university organized many events, so there was almost always something happening each week.

6. Testimonial

My semester abroad in Dunedin was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. I learned so much, both academically and personally, and I had so many moments that pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible. The city itself is such a lovely student town, small but super lively, and I was able to make so many amazing new friends. People are incredibly friendly, and the whole atmosphere at the university feels very open and welcoming. If you plan your courses well, you can actually travel a lot during the semester. We were able to explore so many places by traveling from Thursday to Sunday almost every week since we only had classes from Monday to Wednesday. There’s also plenty to see just around Dunedin. For our mid-semester break, we even went to Fiji, something I probably wouldn’t have done so spontaneously otherwise. Overall, I would 100% recommend Dunedin to anyone considering an exchange. It’s a beautiful country, the people are amazing, and the whole experience is something I’ll never forget.