University Town Life
The ‘Scarfie’ Experience
The chime of the University Clock Tower signals the beginning of the new semester at the University of Otago, New Zealand’s oldest university. 20,000 young people the majority being between the ages of 18 – 23 converge on Dunedin City each year from many areas of New Zealand.
Then the north of Dunedin comes alight, the ‘Scarfies’ have arrived in town to begin their year of study. The students add a youthful vibrancy and contribute to a distinctive culture that no other city experiences in New Zealand. Dunedin is truly a student city.
You to can join in on the Scarfie experience, you do not have to be a student.
All year round there is always something going on in ‘studentville’. It all begins with Orientation week, where the first year students begin to work their way around campus and some of Dunedin’s famous student pubs. A week long of activities takes place with market stalls, bands, hall competitions, activities and much, much more.
To indulge in the Scarfie experience it is not a necessity to actually be one! With 20,000 young creative and bright people in such a small confined space, the place is always lively. You only have to get along to some of the student haunts such as The Cook which is a famous student pub that caters for everyone’s needs or enjoy a coffee at Governers on George Street. Take a leisurely stroll through the central path of the graceful university and absorb the historical surroundings.
No visit to the campus is complete without a stroll around the student flatting environment of North Dunedin. The traditional student flats in iconic streets like Castle, Dundas, Queen, Leith St North, Clyde and Hyde Street keep up a proud tradition and come complete with their own take on New Zealand House and Garden.
Otago University, its buildings and its students are truly integrated into Dunedin and provide the city with a culture unique not only to Dunedin but in New Zealand.
Link List Official Websites: Universities in New Zealand
