Once in a Lifetime trip! Past Review
By A student (Animal Sciences, University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 05/25/2015 to 07/11/2015 with
ISA Study Abroad in Wellington, New Zealand
I learned a lot while abroad. I was able to travel on my own and experience a new country and culture, which helped with my confidence and feeling like a "true adult." The trip was very worthwhile because I was able to receive a lot of work experience and made life-long friends.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
In order to receive credit for my internship, I was required to write a pre-departure paper, 2 internship update forms, and a end-of-internship paper. The papers were not very long and instructions were given via schoology and included the rubric by which you are graded. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Both of the on-site administration members in Auckland (where I was based) were very kind and helpful. One member brought us around for the first three days we were there and helped us get adjusted to life in New Zealand. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed in a home stay with a very nice family with 2 young kids. Had my own bedroom, bathroom, and closet so that I could work and relax after a long day of work. |
| * Food: |
Food was really good, could find a lot of variety and foods not available in the US. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was extremely integrated. I lived in a suburb of Auckland and took the bus to my internship every day. I had three day weekends and spent my time traveling the North Island. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Did not have to use any of the health care myself but I saw a lot of available hospitals while traveling. |
| * Safety: |
Never felt unsafe, even when walking alone in the city. |
| 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) |
New Zealand is a bit expensive when compared to other cities because a lot of things have to be shipped onto the island. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | When you travel around, stay in hostels. New Zealand has a lot available and I stayed in nice ones that were very cheap. Use hostelworld.com or a similar site to find great deals. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? |
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? | How expensive everything in New Zealand truly is. Also, don't sweat the small stuff. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
