Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A True Unexpected Journey Past Review

By (University of Southern California) - abroad from 02/08/2016 to 06/25/2016 with

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Auckland - AUT University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I feel that through TEAN and my time at AUT I grew and learned more about myself-my world than any other period of my life. Going into the experience, I was nervous to travel halfway across the world to a country I had never known anyone to travel to, but I am so happy I made that leap. Between the people I met and the amazing beautiful I saw traveling throughout the country, I can safely say that TEAN provided me with the best experience possible.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Two classes that I took while in Auckland were centered around Maori history and teachings of their traditional leadership qualities. In these classes, I not only learned about the origins of a foreign race that I had no previous knowledge of, but I learned a lot about myself through self reflection and in-class analysis. I would highly recommend enrolling in these types of courses that you will only be able to find at this university.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

There were several TEAN staff members either working at AUT or living in the Auckland area who frequently checked in on us and took us on special events, such as going on hikes on local volcanoes and attending a rugby match.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

The conversion rate was in favor of the USD so this was really helpful.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? You should always look to find websites that offer special deals for flights and hostels if you are going to travel, such as grabaseat.co.nz. Also, if possible, take busses rather than flights.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Traveling throughout the country
  • Enjoying a different culture that I am not used to
  • Rooming with four kiwis
* What could be improved?
  • I would've liked to have more classes available at the university to choose from
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that my classes would end the first of June because we were required to book a flight home in order to obtain a visa and were advised to book it for June 25, so several of us ended up spending three weeks there after we finished all of our classes.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.