FABULOUS!! Best decision of my college career. Past Review

By (Truman State University) - abroad from 02/13/2012 to 06/22/2012 with

College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS): Massey University - Palmerston

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Learned the value of true friendship, that people (even strangers) are kind and always willing to help, and most importantly elements of myself that I consider to be representative of my true essence.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I was fortunate to have several teachers in New Zealand that were fantastic and motivational. They single-handedly influenced my positive educational experience.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The international office did some to help integrate students into their new life. However, I found that they mostly allowed you the freedom to explore and meet people on your own terms. They did very little in the area of planning group international events, etc.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Disappointing, with little offerings, but it was from a university dinning hall after all.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Never had any major health issues.

* 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)

Food and consumer product prices are expensive in New Zealand.

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About 100-150 per week

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • The people I was introduced to in New Zealand
* What could be improved?
  • More international student connection events early in the semester.
  • Pre-planned, pre-program trips to surrounding areas (i.e. Australia, Fiji, etc.)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? More about the city of Palmerston North, it was not at all what I was expecting.