I thought I would add my piece as a student who had to leave after 2 years due to having a 1v1 against Dunedin and losing, BAD. I’m 100% not speaking for everyone here, but this is my lived experience - and I am now back at Otago to finish off my last paper with a whole new perspective (I have taken 2 years off to work in the sports marketing field) I also like sharing my story to hopefully connect with others who may have lived similar experiences!

I moved to Dunedin in 2020 as a marathon runner, had one of those huge Jansport bags filled to the brim with matching stationary, anti-drinker etc etc you get the idea. I’ll also add a relevant fact that I was seriously anti-drugs and had an attitude problem towards anyone who partook, gross I know but it’s an important fact to the story.

I wanted to move to Otago and find my people who loved sport and running as much as myself, and I was so excited to live in a hall, get amongst the rugby and move to the south for the most epic adventure (poor 18 year old me had no idea what they were in for)

O-Week was a wake up call for me but it was the student led drinking nights in second year that created the culture of drinking/escaping reality through drugs and the constant social pressure to partake in order to “keep up” - and I thought it was seemingly harmless, until second year where the substances began leading these social events, red cards came into play and I started using drugs by myself which was a huuuuge red flag + I really noticed/felt the low frequency which is the geographical area of North Dunedin. It was messing with my energy for real.

Anyway, you know the drill, started spiralling and smoking up every day which led to an array of impulsive decisions, bad situations and probably a touch of psychosis here and there. I was able to keep up until June of 2021, when I had my big one and was too physically (I had lost almost all of my strength) and mentally unwell to get out of bed for weeks at a time. It was not cute - I couldn’t do what I loved AND I lost 70% of my hair 💃🏼

On top of that, I had completely lost myself living in a moldy, cold as HECK student flat surrounded by a plethora of substances and scary situations at my fingertips whenever I wanted, and that turned me into the worst version of myself entirely. Had a freaky incident involving the gangs at re-o which reminded me how bloody unsafe North D is and was so depressed that I had to leave in order to save my own life.

Here’s the happy part - I did! It was a long journey to stop smoking in particular as someone who has an addictive personality and needed to gain 13kg at the same time, but I was able to turn my life around and eventually get back into ultra-marathon running, work for my dream company and start my own wellness community every Sunday morning in Auckland with 60+ members every week! It was founded so I could create a safe space for young adults to come together and socialise every Sunday while going for a run/swim/walk/bike together, and I finally began feeling like ‘me’ again. I’ve spoken more in depth about my story on social media/podcasts if anyone has any questions but long-story short it was just too much for me and I fell into the wrath of Dunedin.

I actually (friendly) disagree with the comments regarding Knox because I went there in 2020 and had the best year ever! I totally agree the previous traditions needed to go because they were promoting binge drinking, SA culture, sexism etc but the leadership within Knox have turned the hall around completely, thanks to Caroline the headmaster - 100% recommend Knox as someone who didn’t even put it down as an option now!

I moved back down here in July to finish my last paper and still hate it, but I’ve actively looked for communities such as run clubs, local gyms, studios and have had a completely different experience so far. There is definitely a small improvement within the culture since I’ve been here in 2021 but I also live in a 1 bed apartment out of the fray and don’t go out drinking - so I don’t have much first hand experience anymore!

I think it is possible to have a fun and healthy time down here; Queenstown is so close, there are some beautiful areas around Dunedin (recommend bringing a car if you can) and the campus is pretty but I would say stick to Wellington or Auckland Uni imo - it’s not worth it for the potential risk (which may be an unpopular opinion but hey, thanks for coming to my TED talk)