Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Experience That Can't Be Replaced Past Review

By (Miami University) - abroad from 02/19/2016 to 06/28/2016 with

IES Abroad: Auckland Direct Enrollment - University Of Auckland

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
So worthwhile! I learned so much about the Kiwi culture, the basics of surviving and camping, and above all, how grateful I am to have had this experience.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Pretty challenging work, be prepared to study if taking classes pertaining to your major

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Program director was AMAZING

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

A little dirty, but fantastic location!

* Food:

It can't be beat!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Kiwis are the nicest people in the world and they know how to have fun too!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I tore my ACL abroad and getting X-Rays, MRI, and doctor appointments was extremely easy. Only downside was the waits for the doctor were very long.

* Safety:

I never felt threatened in any way, just be smart and don't walk by yourself at night!

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

My program was extremely well organized and New Zealand was the best choice in country I could've made

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)

Food in NZ is really expensive so groceries were easily 200 a week, and that's not including other expenses such as travel and shopping.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 300-400
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan a budget for food and stick to it. Try and buy the majority of your food at the grocery because eating out gets expensive quick!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?
  • Exceptional staff
  • Flexible
  • Informative/helpful
* What could be improved?
  • n/a
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew exactly what the climate was going to be and how people dressed so I knew better what clothes to have packed.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.