Growth in ways that America couldn’t have done. Past Review
By Devin Taylor (Texas Lutheran University) - abroad from 06/28/2019 to 11/11/2019 with
API (Academic Programs International): Wellington - Victoria University of Wellington
I learned to appreciaye myself and love life. It’s easy to be ignorant to what life is like in America, but once you’re able to venture outside of black and white, you’re able to see color in a brand new way.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
VIC provided an educational experience that, in my opinion, challenges you to do your own research in order to stay engaged and retain information within the classroom. It allows you the opportunity to learn more for sure. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My study abroad advisors were amazing! While my trip abroad had little to no issues, my hosts made sure that I was well adjusted and checked in on me frequently. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My Housing allowed me to make great connections with people who were complete strangers at first. Yet now, I communicate with the majority of them to this day. I loved living at University Hall |
| * Food: |
It gave me an opportunity to cook for myself for the first time, and allowed me to learn a lot about how to mix spices since there isn’t as much to work with compared to America. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved the culture. There didn’t need to be too much of an adjustment for me to make since the people were so welcoming. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Fortunately. I never had any health issues aside from a minor cold when I first got to Wellington but the school has a small pharmacy gang provided the medicine i needed. |
| * Safety: |
There’s a multitude of cameras in the areas that less people are likely to walk around and everywhere else is safe. I never felt unsafe in Wellington. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
The only down side was not being able to go to Massey University. Being a Dramatic Media major, I would have preferred to be around others that shared my artistic passions. It’s also not too far from VIC so there’s a chance I could still make the connections I did. |
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/week. It was easy for me to budget when I wasn’t being lazy and just trying to buy food from restaurants. Since the U.S. dollar has more value, I was able to have money on the side for whatever I wanted. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Less than $100 NZD unless I wanted to splurge. But in U.S, I’d say between 40 and 60 to be safe. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget and understand you will have to adjust. It’s not hard. Just try to have a plan so you won’t have to struggle towards the end. |
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? | Nothing. I’m so happy with my experiences, I wouldn’t want to change a thing. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
