New Zealand is AMAZING!!! Past Review

By (Elementary Education, Brigham Young University) - abroad from 01/05/2013 to 04/11/2013 with

Brigham Young University: Traveling - New Zealand Elementary Education Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about my self. I learned A LOT about other cultures and it was definitely worth while.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I loved the experience of being in the New Zealand class room but feel like it didn't do a lot to help me become a better teacher.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I feel like we were kind of on our own a lot

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved the host family that I stayed with! The only down side was how far away I was from everything.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Maori is used in the schools and the community and we were encouraged to learn some of the common words

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Learning about other cultures
* What could be improved?
  • They could have prepared us more
  • They should have better support while there
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How much we would have to figure stuff out on our own.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'