New Zealand: Cultural Awareness Past Review
By Hekili L (Landscape Architecture, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo) for
ISA Study Abroad in Auckland, New Zealand
This experience has definitely opened my eyes to how many different types of people there are and of the variety and range of cultural backgrounds that exist here in New Zealand.
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 workload is pretty light, but I have to say the teaching methods are not very effective. For most of my classes, I did not like the way our professors were teaching us. It almost seemed pointless to go to the classes a lot of the time. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I felt like at times, they were very unhelpful, especially when I had issues regarding my visa |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing was arranged through Australearn. It was nice because I didn't need to buy a lot of the other items like sheets, cookware, etc... |
| * Food: |
Food was not very good, but I was warned about that before I came to New Zealand. They're not really known for their food |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The first week...Culture and Adventure program was something that will stick out in memory as the most fun part of my experience here in New Zealand |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Safety was not too much of an issue during my abroad experience, apart from the Feb. 22nd earthquake in Christchurch, but other than that I felt very safe while traveling around the country. |
| 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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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Australearn is a great study abroad program. They help you get started and help you along the way with other issues that may arise, but once you're in your host country you obviously have to take care of most problems by yourself. The independent student would benefit most from this type of program. |
