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14/5/04: Hi everybody, I have added a new forum (phpBB). Please post new messages here. Cheers.
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Cait
UnitedStates
 
13/8/2003
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 Subject: Dunedin
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Message:
Hey,
I'm going to Dunedin in Feb 2004, for school . . . although studying is not a major part of my agenda. BUT I was wondering if anyone had any info on University of Otago; their website, clearly, is not giving an unbaised idea of what the uni and surrounding area is like. I plan on doing a lot of traveling also, so if anyone is in NZ from Feb to Nov this coming year, I'm there!
keep peace,
Caitlin
 
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Garry
New Zealand
14/8/2003
|  re: Dunedin
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Message:
Hi Cait, Dunedin has a very lively university culture and scarfies (slang for Otago university students) are informous for living in trashed out flats, drinking lots of beer and being loud at the house of pain (carisbrook-rugby). The university being the oldest in New Zealand is of victorian arcitecture as are many buildings in dunedin http://www.visit-dunedin.co.nz/historicbuildings.html, the surrounding streets are narrow with run down flats littered with old furniture and empty bottles on the front yards.. maybe a little exaggeration but that picture will appear in most NZer's heads when thinking about student life in Dunedin. There is a good movie called scarfies although not so much about student life, its just quite a good move https://www.dvdvideoplanet.com/product_info.php?products_id=2308
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Amelia
Unregistered
09/9/2003
| re: Dunedin
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Hi Cait
Are you comming to Otago as a studnet next year? I'm currently a student at Otago, and pretty much what Garry said is true. Otago is the party hard university in the country, lots of parties, wonderful friends, and indeed lots of travelling through the south island. In saying that, Otago is suposidly the "most prestigious" university in the country. The research and academic performance of the university is of world class standard, and they have high expectations of their students. So while you're out partying, bear in mind that you're be expected to work as well.
Join the university tramping club if you get a chance, it's a nice way to get to out of the way places around New Zealand, and meet lots of friendly students while you're tramping.
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meredith
Unregistered
13/9/2003
| re: Dunedin
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Message:
Hi Amelia,
I am actually applying to Auckland and Otago-- any comparison? What do you think of the weather in Dunedin, did you find a place easily or a job?
i know its alot of questins but these are answers I too have been dying to know!
Thanks!
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Amelia
Unregistered
15/9/2003
| RE: Dunedin
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Hi Caitlyn
Auckland and Otago are both top Universities in New Zealand - Each year they're always beyond the other universities in world research and teaching.
I guess the University you go to will depend on the lifestyle you want to live. Auckland is the biggest city in New Zealand, a big huge spanze of houses,appartments, skyrises, houses, shops, more houses. It's a big city with huge motorways, lots of crime, good shopping, and lots of grey concrete everywhere. But then Auckland's got more attractions if you're a tourist, more museums, amusement parks, casinos etc.
You'll be stretching the budget if you're a student in Auckland. Because it's a big city, rent is also more expensive - you're looking at about NZ$120-$200 rent per week (each, and that's in a student 'flat' where you share a house with other students. If you want to live on your own, be prepared to pay double that for your own appartment, and remember you need to add bills and weekly food onto your budget. Because it's a big place, you might need a car, or you might find that you're commuting heaps on the bus to get places.
Dunedin is a lot smaller and more beautiful (I think) with the river, and lots of trees, falling leaves in the autumn, and sometimes snow in the winter. Don't get me wrong, it's still quite a big city, but it's not as spread out or as skyrisey as Auckalnd. Dunedin has quite good cafe's and bars which are quite popular with the students.
In Dunedin, the campus is very close to the centre of the city, and it's only a 3 minute walk around the corner to the many cafe's in town. Everywhere in Dunedin is within walking distance. If you live more than 15 minutes walk away from Campus, that's considered 'far away'. Dunedin is the full on 'university city' of New Zealand, with an oxidus of students comming into the city at the start of the academic year from all over the country. It's well known for it's party hard reputation, lots things to do at night, cafes, plays, local gigs, beer drinking. Definitely go to a rugby game if you get the chance.
Rent's cheaper in Dunedin too. It's about NZ$75-100 a week for a room in a flat. Double that if you want to live in your own apartment, but I recomend living in a student flat, it's a good way to meet lots of people, have parties, late night pizza etc. It's not propper student life unles you're living in student flat.
I'm not sure about the job hunting in Auckland, but I'd assume that because it's a bigger place, there are more jobs being advertised. Getting a job in Dunedin is about the same as any other city, there's heaps advertised in the papers, and the unviersity offers a free 'student job search' service. The university's the biggest employer in Dunedin. Have a look at the vacancies page on the Otago University Website.
Otago students have this weird phenomon (they're the only students who do this in the country), but every year, they shift to a new flat, and move in with new people. They live there for a year, and then they move to another flat again! At the other unviersities in New Zealand, Students find a flat, and they live there for their entire university career - but not at otago. So there's always heaps of "flatmate wanted posters" all over university, and it's dead easy to find a flat, with people you like, and slip in.
I hope that helps at all.
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calvin
Unregistered
03/11/2003
| re: Dunedin
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Message:
Olà Amelia!
They paying you for grassroot PR? They definitely should. ;) Anyways; no bother selling Dunedin to me; I'm in. If everything works out with visa and flights, I'll be doing Neurosci Undergrad spring of '04 and I can barely wait except for thus tiny tidbit nitwit of a problemo; I happen to have a sweetheart someone whom I wish not to leave until the last minute flight (that would be beginning-middle february..).
Plus the airline ticket is cheaper. Yup, I'm romantic, no need to tell.
Sorry, I should introduce myself; I'm Caroline - calvin - writing you from Stockholm, Sweden, some 180degrees off your coast.
I am tempted to ask you to do me a favour, Amelia.. Or anyone in here residing in Otago, Dunedin. And I'd add a huge IOU that this someone may cash in when I'm down there;
you see, they're making me sign all sorts of papers over here and wishing to decide where and how to live. Thing is; paying is due 1st of january and I wont arrive 'til feb, so I'm looking for alternatives.
I would be dead thankful if you (or anyone around these neighbourhoods) could give me a clue as to how to act in this issue. I don't think Otago Uni will rip me off; it's just it feel better having an insider tell me what is really the case.
So pleasepleaseplease give me (what I want) advice on this.
Is there any messageboards, websites, enormously active stressrelated student body with contacts with the locals - anything or anyone whom I could turn directly to in order to share a house/crib/appartment/something with roof due february?
And yes, I have references if that is wanted.
Right now working as Doctor's secretary in central Stockholm.
I'd be Most grateful for answers.
Best regards -
Calvin
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Julius
Unregistered
25/11/2003
| re: Dunedin
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Message:
I was in Dunedin second week of November this year.
The botanical garden was simply fabulous with
tree-sized Rhododendrons in full blooms.
So, You must go right-away because in May
those pretty flowers are gone. Well, there
may be roses and other pretty things.
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costumegoddess
Unregistered
27/11/2003
| re: Dunedin
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Message:
I'm also looking at study in NZ but not for another semester ro so. I've been looking around for the sam sort of info as everyone else, and I've had great luck at the Straight Dope message boards. http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb
I post under the same name there, and would definitely recommend checking it out.
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a_cancerian
Unregistered
29/11/2003
| re: Dunedin
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Message:
Hii, I am an Indian and I am going to NZ in the last week Jan 2004 for a business management course in University of Otago. I am currently processing my file for the visa which takes approx 6 weeks. Any1 going to the same university can contact me in this board.
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fairy kissez
Unregistered
29/11/2003
| re: Dunedin
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Message:
Hi - im a med student in england hoping to intercalate (ie do a degree in 1 yr) next yr. I'm interested in Pharmacology (i kow bit of a snore to most people) but with a medical slant. Does anyone know what the Pharmacy dept is like and how to get things started? What about living just for 1 yr - i dont finish here unitl the end of june so house hunting will be fun! Ta ;-)
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