Semester in New Zealand - University of Otago

University of Otago

The University of Otago, New Zealand's first University, was founded in 1869, only 20 years after the founding of the providence of Otago. Classes commenced in 1871 with 81 students, studying classics, English language and literature, and mathematics. A chair of natural science was established in 1872, lectures in Law in 1873, medical classes in 1875 and a School of Mines was opened in 1878.

Today the University of Otago has over 17,000 students, 1,100 of whom are international, and employs nearly 2,800 full time staff. The University has a presence in all four of the main cities of New Zealand, with Schools of Medicine and Health Sciences in Christchurch and Wellington (established in 1973 and 1977 respectively) and the Auckland Centre which offers the Executive MBA and various distance teaching programs.

As a student at New Zealand's oldest and most prestigious university you will become part of a unique educational experience. Otago's attractive campus is a mixture of historic and modern buildings located in the center of Dunedin. The campus is a short walk from the city's central shopping and services.

Otago students rate its campus lifestyle as one of its strongest attractions. The students live as a community immediately around the campus area in students halls of Residence or self-catering flats. University students and staff constitute one-sixth of the population of Dunedin.

Otago is a national University in the sense that the majority of its students come from outside the city. In 2001 over 72% of enrolled students came from outside of Dunedin, and over 60% from outside of the Otago/Southland region. This provides for a friendly and social campus where it is easy to make friends and share experiences.

Almost all courses taught at the University of Otago lead to degree-level qualifications. The University teaches most academic disciplines, across a range of degree levels from Bachelors through Honors degrees and Postgraduate Diplomas to Masters and finally Doctoral degrees. The University aims to develop graduates who have the ability and desire to continue learning, who can think independently, who demonstrate an ability to seek innovative solutions to problems and who can demonstrate not only a deep knowledge of a subject but an ability to think and analyze across disciplines.

Otago's research profile is based on its preeminence in biological and health sciences, but also involves leading-edge developments in field's across the full spectrum of academic interest. The University has developed Research Themes and Areas of Research Excellence to encourage multidisciplinary research across academic fields. The University has also invested in a Center for Innovation, bringing academic and applied researchers together to pursue commercial development of research outcomes.

The University of Otago and Dunedin have something to offer every student. The Student Union is a busy social center and a tempting few steps away from the Central Library. A food court, a student pub, and TV room are housed here.

Be sure to check out the Clubs and Societies Centre which offer courses from Pottery to Wine-Tasting to week-long cycling trips and is the base for the many university clubs. Otago's outdoor environment is amazing, and you can enjoy every part of it through such clubs as those for tramping, kayaking, mountain biking, and sailing.

Dunedin

The second largest city on the South Island and capital of the Otago region, Dunedin sprawls around the head of bustling Otago Harbor on the southeast coast. Otago Harbor was a popular whaling ground long before the first European whaling station was officially established at the Maori village of Otakou in 1840. In late 1847, the Free Church of Scotland established a Scottish settlement there. A year later, Otago (the European mispronunciation of "Otakou") was chosen as the official name for the settlement, and "New Edinburgh" as the name for the new town. The town name, however, was greatly criticized for its lack of originality and replaced by the old Celtic name for Edinburgh, Dun Edin (Edin on the Hill).

Dunedin offers harbor views, Victorian-style stone buildings decorated with spires and turrets, stately homes, historic statues and memorials, albatross and penguin colonies, and well-kept parks and flower gardens. The city has plenty of living history, lots to see and do, and a distinct appeal of its own.

Academic offerings

Study Abroad participants may select from courses offered in the following majors: Accounting, Anatomy, Anthropology, Art History, Biochemistry, Biology, Business Mathematics, Chemistry, Chinese, Church History, Classical Studies, Computer Science, Design Studies, Ecology, Economics, Education, English, Environment & Society, Finance, Food Science, French, Geography, Geology, German, Greek, Hebrew, History, Information Science, Japanese, Latin, Law, Linguistics, Management, Maori Studies, Marketing Management, Mathematics & Statistics, Music, Philosophy, Physical Education, Physics, Physiology, Physiotherapy, Political Studies, Psychology, Russian, Surveying, Theology, and Women's Studies.

The University of Otago offers many other courses. The complete list of course offerings can be obtain from:

See the

Room and board

Students may apply for a variety of housing options on campus or may live off campus. Board plans and costs vary. (Note: On-campus accommodation is not guaranteed.) More information is available from your study abroad advisor. See the Otago on-campus accommodation information.

Program costs

Program costs vary. Contact your study abroad advisor for current information. See information about financing your trip.

Program Cost (.doc)

Program application and selection

Applicants must be full-time students at ISU, have completed one year of study at ISU prior to their year abroad, have departmental approval for participation, and have a 3.00 GPA.

The application deadline is October 15 for Spring semester and March 15 for Fall semeter. See the application timeline (.doc).

Two applications are required:

ISU study abroad application (.doc)
Otago Application

Application forms and further information about the University of Otago can be obtained from: University of Otago. Please complete the University of Otago application and the application for all Study Abroad programs, and submit both with all required copies to:

Study Abroad Center
3224 Memorial Union
Ames, IA 50011-1133
(515) 294-6792
studyabroad@iastate.edu

For more information

Please contact us!

Study Abroad Center
3224 Memorial Union
Ames, IA 50011-1133
(515) 294-6792
studyabroad@iastate.edu