New Zealand An Interesting Experience Past Review
By Cassandra H (Exercise Science, Nebraska Wesleyan University) for
Massey University - Auckland: Auckland - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I gained a new understanding of myself. I made incredible friends that are located throughout the globe. I became aware that America would always be home to me and that I like the culture/outlook on life that Americans have.
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 teaching methods seemed a bit questionable at times. The lecturers would express their ideas and opinions as facts. My Endangered Cultures professor would comment reqularly on how the U.S. was the reason indigenous people are dying out. I did not appreciate him expressing that opinion and allowing other students to take it as fact. The grading system is a bell curve. It worked out okay because my university does study abroad experiences as pass/fail, however, it would have been nice to know that was their grading system going in. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Once I landed in New Zealand there was no one there to help me get set up. I felt as though I was stranded in a new country all on my own. It would have been nice if ISEP had someone there to help me figure things out. Or to at least explane the way things worked in New Zealand. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing was in need of repairs. To top it off my room was infested with bed bugs, which, the landlord expected me to take care of despite the fact that it was like that before I arrived. I was housed with the residental advisor (RA), an American student, and a New Zealander who did not even go to the host school. The girl who didn't go to Massey created a lot of problems within the house such as: stealing food, smoking inside (the flat was non-smoking), loud noises at night, and a variety of other problems. The host university, RA, and landlord did nothing to rectify the situation. On the plus side, it was only a ten minute walk to class and about a fifteen minute walk to the grocery store. |
| * Food: |
My advice would be to shop at Pac'N'Save and just create your own meals. However, make sure and bring something to carry the food home in, as the grocery store charges 10 cents per a bag. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I absolutely loved bungy jumping and the maori culture experience that I was part of. My program didn't arrange any outings for me, which is a disappointment but I arranged stuff to do. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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? | Food- $100ish NZD Personal Expenses- $70ish NZD |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I thought sheets would be provided for me. Duvets are expensive in New Zealand. I was told not to pack to much because I would purchase a lot of stuff while I was there. However, the prices for clothing/shoes are outrageous in New Zealand because everything has to be imported so I would recommend bringing more stuff with you and not counting on buying a ton of clothes while you are there. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | N/A |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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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