Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Wellington, New Zealand experience of a lifetime Past Review

By (Communication Sciences And Disorders, Truman State University) - abroad from 02/17/2012 to 07/06/2012 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about travel and how to live in a city and how I handle new situations and react under pressure. I made incredible friends, even with people I never expected to be friends with. It was the most worthwhile experience of my life so far.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes were quite casual, but very few assignments and tests and all were mainly written evaluations.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The International Student team there was FABULOUS and so welcoming and showed us everything they could and provided food and friendship from day 1.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The flats that were provided through the uni were a great way to meet people! but you live with other international students and some freshman... maybe looking around for other housing would be a more affordable option.

* Food:

Food in Wellington, NZ is very VERY VERY expensive. Pak'N'Save is the cheapest, but a New World is down the street (closer) but everything is so yummy and fresh and some grown there! Fruit is cheap and varies for seasons but try it ALL!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Great Culture and so inviting and true/friendly

* 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)

In Wellington, everything is VERY expensive and I wasn't prepared for that so expenses would creap up on you

* 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? 90 NZD
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Shop at the nearest Pak'N'Sav or Countdown supermarket or the local markets on saturdays and sundays for fresh produce. Either walk or use public transport. Busses are very easy to figure out, AVOID TAXIS

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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 and the culture: their genuine care and enthusiasm
  • The incredible landscape and how easy it is to travel
  • Cheap travel (Naked Bus) and cheap Hostels everywhere
* What could be improved?
  • More of an idea what is and is not included in your flat payments
  • When payments for such things are due and how to do it
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known my uni was all design and that I had maybe gone to a different uni in Wellington that catered more to my classes.