6 months abroad; a lifetime of memories Past Review
By A student (Communications/ PR, Auckland University of Technology (AUT)) - abroad from 02/01/2011 to 06/28/2011 with
ISA Study Abroad in Auckland, New Zealand
I have a place to stay in sooo many countries, I have met sooo many people and I have learned a great deal abotu myself. Amazing trip.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | AUT |
| 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. |
The University is quite easy as long as you get all of your homework done. Classes are very laid back and the grading scale is WAY WAY easier than anything I have ever seen in USA. Classmates are awesome and eager to learn about you and your culture. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Globallinks put on a good, entertaining week of activities for us prior to our arrival at our university. I would say though that the first meal they gave us was subway... not too pleased with that. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The student housing is awesome and provides a great way to meet new people from all walks of life. Dont let the office people know if you break anything- just cover it up or it could end up costing you thousands of dollars |
| * Food: |
The meat in NZ is FANTASTIC but ridiculously expensive. You can find a lot of small food vendors in any city and there is always a decently priced fish fry to be had. NZ cheese is TERRIBLE. They dont use preservatives in their food so be ready to go grocery shopping a lot more. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Every place you go, the people are warm and inviting. I loved Auckland! Travel can be cheap if you use grabaseat.co.nz to find cheap flights all over the country. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Free healthcare! |
| * Safety: |
I did have a slight issue one time where the police had to get involved but in no way did that hamper my opinion... New Zealand is a SUPER safe country and there is little/nothing to worry about. |
| 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) |
$100 a week will not get you anything. I think I budgeted out about $65/ day and I ran out early. Everything is expensive and everything fun costs a LOT of money. Dont worry about money, the good times you have are worth the credit card debt later. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $320-$650 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Drink boxed wine. $35 for under a liter of vodka is obscene. double brown is a decent beer for the price. Dont let anybody fool you into buying comrade vodka... its very low alcohol and will freeze solid in the freezer. Use websites like grabaseat for cheap travel and aucklanddailydeals for cheap restaurant/travel/whatever. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | How to budget better/ get a work visa |
