New Zealand: A Great Experience Past Review
By Peter F (Kinesiology and Exercise Science., Hope College) for
Massey University - Palmerston North: Palmerston North - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My time in New Zealand was awesome. It wasn't as eye opening as a place such as India due to the obvious differences India has from a Western culture. Yet, NZ still had its differences to offer that opened new ways of living that will help me associate with a broader group of people in the future.
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. |
I really enjoyed my educational experience despite it being stressful with the few grades I had. I still did very well, and had time to relax and explore the country. The teaching methods were similar in regards to lecturing on the required information. There was less work overall to be done, but there was plenty of reading and writing to be done. The grading system was different (on an 85 point scale). I never really understood it, but was alarmed when I saw a 67 on my first assignment, but that was a B or something so it was just fine. Overall it was a great to experience the differences and to know that I could handle the change. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My expectations were fully met. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
I felt the quality of food was better than my home university for the most part. The quantity was good as well. When eating outside of the dining hall everything was always good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There was a week long orientation when we first arrived in New Zealand that included some orienting along with learning the All Blacks haka, a volunteering opportunity along with some traveling options that were all great such as a jet boat and caving. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Health and safety-wise everything was great. I got the flu for a bit, and the campus health services were easily accessible. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Week to week I spent little apart from the beginning when buying sheets, a pillow, and some school supplies. Other than that some snacks every other week... so maybe $10 a week or so (I don't drink so that helped a lot). Otherwise I spent around $1500 total with normal expenses along with some cheap traveling. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Keep track of your money. New Zealand can be very expensive. I didn't have any unexpected expenses arise. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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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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? | This program caters to all personality types. There was a good mix of people who went. |
