I live in Australia (NZ Citizen), thus i’m hard pressed to find some people who are actually studying at Otago Uni to give me honest opinions - Sorry about posting in a general forum, but I figured there must be some kiwis lurking around
I’m looking at studying there next year, and I was wondering what the university environment is like. Is Otago well regarded around the world and in NZ? I’ve heard nothing but good stories so far.
Also, has anyone stayed at the Colleges, or Halls of residence? I’m thinking I want to stay in a college because I will not have any family in Otago. Which college is the best? (are some worse than others?)
I am not going to be a mine of information: it is a long time since I was at uni and a bit has changed since then. But my sister goes to Otago, some friends of mine did, and I can tell you a little bit.
Dunedin is truly a university town. Students dominate the place, and it is apparently quite different during the holidays when they aren’t there.
Accommodation is relatively cheap if you are renting. But then there’s a reason for that. A lot of the places are rather cold. There are true legends of burning furniture for fuel. A much better option is to go to a hall of residence. Otago has more of these than any other campus in the country. It’s a great way to meet people. There is some variety, and I cannot give you a full run down, but I will tell you about the ones I have visited/know about.
Knox College is an old seminary. It holds some 170 residents, is steeped in tradition and is by all accounts a fun place to be.
Salmond is next door, about the same size, a lot newer (maybe 40-50 year old buildings) and seemed to me to be as good.
Unitech is a double tower block that holds about three hundred. Because of its size it is a little less personal.
My sis is at St Margarets. She raves about it. Apparently it is one of tgye more expensive and slightly more difficult to get in.
As far as the reputation of the university goes, Otago is well established and has a good reputation. Auckland markets itself as the elite academic institution, but that is probably a little subjective. In reality it probably depends on the course that you intend to do. Not all courses are available at all universities. Otago is one of two that has a school of medicine, one of four (IIRC) with a school of laws, and the only campus with a school of surveying.
Sorry I can’t be more useful. You might want to look up Rabid Squirrel on the boards and email him, but he is likely to try to convert you to Canterbury. (You might need to sign up to the SMDB get his email though.) I am not sure if there are any other kiwi dopers at uni, but there probably are.