Where is best to study abroad in New Zealand?

I'm looking at University of Otago in Dunedin,


Uni of Canterbury in Christchurch


and Uni of Auckland





Can anyone give me info on these different areas? I want to be in an area with beaches, maybe some surfing, hiking, and a decent student population.

Where is best to study abroad in New Zealand?
The University of Auckland ranks at No.50 worldwide in the Times Higher Supplement rankings for 2007. University of Otago ranks somewhere between 100 - 200. University of Canterbury is perhaps only good for engineering but would rank behind Auckland. I have lived in all three locations and attended the University of Auckland.





The student population is a bit more scatterred in Auckland and the university is located in the central business district (CBD). So there aren't any sprawling grounds like typical universities. But the quality of education and university profile is much higher than Otago.





Dunedin is known for being a "student city". If you come from a big city, you might find Dunedin a bit "rural". But it's a beautiful city. Two awesome beaches. But frequently too cold. Plus beautiful scenery and tourist-y things in neighbouring areas. It's close to Queenstown, which is awesome holiday destination.
Reply:One of the cool website on study abroad programs that I was came across, hopefully may help you :





http://summer-study-abroad-program.blogs...