A Never-Ending Adventure That Only Began In New Zealand. Past Review
By Gabi J (Marketing., Texas Christian University) - abroad from 02/21/2014 to 07/01/2014 with
IES Abroad: Auckland Direct Enrollment - University Of Auckland
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Living in Auckland lit a fire in me to take on every day with no constraints, to deeply love people from entirely different walks of life, and revealed the blessing of speaking one's word into action. It was the most life-changing, inspiring, and empowering gift I have ever received. I went to class daily, but learned so much more from my interactions and relationships built outside the classroom. I took advantage of my 3-day weekends (I didn't have Friday class), and traveled every chance I could. I went deep-sea fishing, visited Goats Island and vacation homes with the locals, traveled to South Island to see Christchurch, Queenstown, and Milford Sound, and I joined the Canoe Club at Auckland Uni.
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Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Best experience of my life in the greatest city in the world! Would do anything to go back. IES did an incredible job of easing us into the New Zealand culture and making us feel comfortable as soon as we got off the plane. Travel as much as you can while you are in the country and take in all the beauty around you--its unreal! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
New Zealand is pricey so be prepared for that! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Talk to as many people as you can that have studied abroad before you. They will help give you estimates on how much money to bring, what extra trips you should take (and the approximate cost of those), and what overall life is like in your country of choice. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I think it was valuable to approach study abroad with limited plans/knowledge, that way everything happens organically. I was fortunate to meet with people who had previously gone on the IES New Zealand program before I left America, and I would recommend people talk to past study abroad participants to gain valuable insight as to what to expect and must-do things in the country. I would have regretted not meeting with people prior to leaving for my own journey in New Zealand. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
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