New Zealand Past Review
By Nicole L (Business Management, The Catholic University of America) for
IES Abroad: Auckland Direct Enrollment - University Of Auckland
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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. |
The grading was much harder than American grading. Professors did not give out many As at all but the scale was also different and that was in the students favor, where you would have to get a 50 to fail and an 85 was still considered an A. The workload was not much at all. Each class would have two things due throughout the whole semester and then a final but for the finals they are spread out over a month time span so there is plenty of time to study which is nice. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
really like our program cordinator nice |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
i loved living in the international dorm. We were able to meet so many different types of people. we were surrounded by people from all over, including Americans and locals. Food was provided which in the long run saved me a lot of money. There were also organized events that were so much fun. I met some very memorable and some of my favorite people there. You also had your own room so you could still have privacy but there were common rooms to hang out in as well. They were not strict at all and the management was extremely nice. There are computers available too as well as a printer which was very convient. i loved it |
| * Food: |
the portions were smaller which was hard to adjust to and it was not the same as a home cooked meal. the food was average. i could not complain since the dining hall was convient and saved me money. it also allowed you to interact with other people and make friends. i was happy to come home and have american food but if you went out to eat the food was good. similar types of food but was happy to come home and eat american foods. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
the school had a very good health center. sometimes it was hard to get an appointment but with the public care system things were very easy. one girl in our program had kidney stones and she had to have surgury while abraod and she was taken very good care of |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | i spent a lot of money while abroad. Things were much more expensive (i felt even with the exchange rate). but i spent so much money because there was so much to do and i didnt want to miss out on it. i think that it was all worth it. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | dont spend money on things you dont really need. save up for the trips and events that you want to take part in it is so much more worth it. bring shampoo and shower stuff and make up with you if you can since that type of stuff is annoying to spend your money on. I also cut back on a bunch of things that i normally would spend money on at home. I only went clothes shopping one time. they did have great clothes but the cost was high and i would rather spend money on bungy jumping and such. also if you have a meal plan make the most of it since food is expensive. i saved so much money by doing that. but dont hold back on spending money on trips and things that you want. it is a once and a life time experience and its worth the money |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | if you like adventure and being out doors and it so much fun. i loved it |
