Send Me Back to New Zealand Past Review

By (Chemistry., Wellesley College) - abroad from 07/21/2014 to 11/21/2014 with

The University of Auckland: Auckland - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to live independently and make my own decisions. I got to meet amazing people of New Zealand and other international students. I also had a taste of New Zealand's culture which is different from my own culture.

Review Photos

The University of Auckland: Auckland - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo The University of Auckland: Auckland - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo The University of Auckland: Auckland - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The university offered many easily accessible resources and services that I was able to use during the semester. Professors had office hours and I could easily contact them via email.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The international office checked on me frequently.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a residence hall (Grafton Hall) that was about 15 minute walk from the main campus. I had a wonderful experience meeting new people, both local students and international students. Living in close contact with other students made it easier for me to make friends thus I immediately adapted.

* Food:

I enjoyed the varieties food offered. Also the hall provided packed lunches in days where I had afternoon classes.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Local students that I met were more than willing to share their culture. The Maori students performed their traditional dance (Haka) in several occasions. I had a chance to witness celebrations around the rugby games and the week of fireworks .

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had to pay for health insurance provided by the school. I received plenty of information on how to use it. Fortunately, I did not have use it.

* Safety:

Auckland city is overall safe. I was warned to avoid walking on my own on certain streets at night. However, I felt very safe walking at night as the city is well lit and active even in late at night.

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)

Residence hall charged about $100 per week which included accommodation, meals, laundry and internet fees.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50 for snacks and toiletries and meals.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Shopping for clothes in Auckland can be very expensive thus carry as much as you need. Save on transportation by using public buses with your student HOP card. There are so many places to eat out and is very tempting at times. However, if not done frequently is very affordable.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?
  • Travelling around New Zealand
  • Chemistry course that I took
  • Warm, good-natured people of New Zealand
* What could be improved?
  • adding the option of living with a host family
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known that Auckland's winter, though not as cold as New England's, is accompanied by very strong winds. I could have brought a windbreaker and more warm clothings.

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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Issues in Drug Design and Development

Course Department: Chemistry
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: We had different lectures each week from people who work in pharmaceutical companies, Intellectual property offices etc. Thus it was interesting to hear first hand information from the professions. The workload was manageable as we had to write two research papers and one exam. We had a field trip at the end of the semester to a pharmaceutical company that helped to put everything into perspective.
Credit Transfer Issues: