You Only New Zealand Once (YONZO) Past Review
By A student (Trinity University) - abroad from 07/08/2017 to 11/22/2017 with
IFSA: Auckland - University of Auckland
I learned so much about the world and myself. It was totally worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Amazing place to go for five months.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
During the semester the intensity was low, but the final exams count for a lot towards your grades and is a very stressful time. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was very organized, helpful, and kind. I felt like I was independent, but that someone was always there if I needed anything. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Carlaw Park was very nice and social. It is a great place to live because they have a lot of events which allows you to meet new people. |
| * Food: |
Food was mostly good. Cooking is sometimes hard because they go by seasons which is different from the US. They also do not have the same brands. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
During orientation they give you a glimpse into the Maori world and New Zealand culture. It lays out almost all the information you need to start out. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The university health services are pretty good, it is sometimes hard to see the doctors though. If you have any problems on the weekends, then it becomes really difficult to get the money back from insurance claims. I had to go to emergency services off campus on a Saturday morning and I won't be able to get the money back because they did not get back to me in time and I am back home now. It took them over 20 days to respond and then when they did they said they needed all this very specific information which I couldn't find. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe. Kiwi's are overall very kind. I would suggest getting uber though, it'll make you feel better if you are every worried or feeling unsafe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
IFSA is the ideal balance of independence and support. I felt like the events and weekly catchups were the perfect amount of support and fun to keep me sane being so far from family. |
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) |
Things are most expensive in New Zealand |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | On average probably $150 because my group went downtown a lot for drinks which adds more cost. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Preplan meals, do not just go to the grocery store and start buying things. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That the time would fly. To me it felt so short and I regret not doing more. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Maori 130/130G Te Ao Maori |
| Course Department: | Maori Studies |
| Instructor: | Tiopira |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Teacher was amazing. Tiopira was sensible, fair, educated and caring. Very interesting topics. There was two exams, tutorial participation, and the final. All we super easy because you gives you all the information you need to know in tutorials. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
