Best Five Months of My Life Past Review
By Drake Meurant (University of Massachusetts Amherst / UMass) - abroad from 06/24/2016 to 11/15/2016 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Auckland - University of Auckland
It really is unbelievable how much you can learn while studying abroad, both inside and outside of the classroom. There is no better way to learn about the real world than travelling. I met so many amazing people and made so many friends. I have a newfound desire for adventure and traveling, and I have become more independent than I could have ever imagined.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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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? |
Yes
From filling out the application all the way through to my last flight home, and every step in between, TEAN made everything completely effortless. They do so much to help out every student, and they make sure everyone has the best, most rewarding time abroad as possible. I wish I knew how fast it would go by and how much I would miss it now that I am back home. It can be easy to lose track of the fact that you are on an adventure of a lifetime when you are so busy enjoying it. New Zealand has so much to offer and so many amazing sights to see. This program gave me a sense of adventure I never thought I would have. I honestly can't even imagine studying abroad through another program. |
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? | About $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save up as much as you can before you go. After you get there, though, look online for any deals for what you want to do. There are plenty of websites that offer discounts and these discounts can all add up to a lot of saved money over the course of a semester. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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| 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? | I wish I knew more about New Zealand and its culture. Although I learned a lot about it while I was there, I would have liked to have a better understanding before I got there. I think it would have helped me connect more with all of the Kiwis I met. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
