Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

New Zealand: Approved by your local foodie, hiker and climber Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/05/2019 to 07/02/2019 with

Boston University: Auckland - Internship Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Through this study abroad experience I discovered a new field that I am passionate about and will hope to pursue in continued higher education.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The University of Auckland strives for experiential learning but because the grading scale is different from that of American universities, I found it easier to navigate academics. Courses were less rigorous than the US, but the professors each had a passion and talent for teaching their subjects.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

At the beginning of the program, there was some confusion with dates and visa information. The program should have clarified and checked on the visa application details before students applied. Throughout the study abroad experience there was good communication from the liaisons in the host country.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Living accommodations were wonderful. I shared an apartment with two other suitemates, and we had a kitchen, bathroom and a common area.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Because I participated in an internship, I was immersed with local Aucklanders and students immediately. I felt really

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I personally had no issues with healthcare but my roommate broke her ankle, and the insurance that Boston University required us to have was able to cover all of the x-rays and the cast that she needed.

* Safety:

New Zealand is a fairly safe country, but I was present during the Christchurch shooting which came as a shock to the whole country. But during this time I felt safe and secure, and both the program and UofA were communicative during this crisis.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I really enjoyed this program. I liked that I was able to do an internship while also taking classes at the local university. I also made lifelong friends with the study abroad cohort that went to New Zealand with me.

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)

I was able to live off of about $75 dollars a week, this fluctuated in terms of how many time I ate out during the week but it was very livable. Especially since my program included housing costs with their program fees.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50.00
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would definitely keep track of your spendings while abroad, and plan out any traveling that you want to partake in advance to help budget.

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

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local 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?
  • Nature
  • New Friends and Experiences
  • Living Conditions
* What could be improved?
  • Internship Requirements
  • Transportation
  • Program Administration
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that I started off my study abroad experience with the mindset to try everything no matter what.

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 Adventurer
The 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.