The experience of a lifetime... Get going! Past Review
By Alyssa D (Equine Science, Delaware Valley College) - abroad from 02/07/2013 to 06/18/2013 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Christchurch - Lincoln University
TEAN was 100% the right choice for me. Everything was idiot-proof. I never worried about anything while abroad, someone was always just a phone call away with the answer to any question or problem. The pre-semester trip to Fiji was unforgettable, and the orientation in Auckland was absolutely incredible. TEAN is run by amazing people who are willing to help at every step of the way, whether during the process of applying or while abroad. TEAN gave so many more opportunities than other study abroad programs, was an incredible value, and was run by the best people. Lincoln itself is not for everyone; it is a small school that is not in the middle of a city, and is based around agriculture. For me, this was perfect, and I loved it. It is a liberating feeling to go across the world for five months and to be on your own, to experience a new culture and a new way of life by completely immersing yourself in new friends, new surroundings, and new experiences. I would not trade this semester for anything, and if I could do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat. I am a better, more openminded, and more adventurous person because of this experience, and I will always be grateful to TEAN and to Lincoln for helping to make all of this possible.
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. |
My major did not match up with any University in NZ (Equine Science) so I picked an agricultural school to stay somewhat on track and took mostly electives. I made the mistake of taking some overly basic courses, but every professor I had was absolutely fantastic, and Lincoln offers a fantastic education. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone was super helpful, anything we needed or had concerns about was addressed immediately without fail. Diane was great, and there was a lot of international support. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I absolutely LOVED Farm Road. The flats were in a little community, completely satisfactory and everything we needed was supplied by Lincoln. The community was fantastic, with a nice mix of international students from all over the world and some kiwis thrown in as well. A short walk to all classes, Farm Road was an ideal mix of independence and perfect on-campus location. |
| * Food: |
I didn't eat on campus, so I can't comment on the quality of food. However, the New World right down the road was convenient for the Farm Road flats to go grab some groceries! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Unfortunately, Christchurch is still fairly devastated from the earthquake a few years ago, so I didn't get into the city as often as I would have liked. However, Lincoln was great, with a small town feel and everything within walking distance from campus. True city people might not have been satisfied, but Lincoln was convenient and we always had a blast whether on campus or at the Grouse in town. With the way our flats were set up, I had more kiwi friends and international friends than American friends, and that was exactly how I wanted it. We always knew what events were going on, and were always able to keep up and have a good time whether on campus or off. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was extremely fortunate to not have to find out about the healthcare system available to me! However, at the beginning of the semester we were asked to fill out some simple forms with information to make it easy if we ever got sick or needed medical help, and I know anyone who needed it was satisfied with the healthcare on campus, it was very easy to access. |
| * Safety: |
Lincoln was extremely safe, we rarely locked our flat (I don't recommend this but it's true!) and never had any issues. I don't know anyone who had any problems walking around campus at night or any time during the day, and that goes for walking into town as well. I never had any problems and never felt unsafe at the Uni or in town. |
| 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) |
I was taken a bit by surprise how much things cost in NZ, from food at the store to alcohol to just daily expenses. If you're just trying to eat basic things and don't plan on doing too much travel, it's really not a problem, but when you want to see and do everything, it gets a bit tricky! Things are more expensive there, and I recommend taking a significant amount more than originally planned just in case! It's do-able on a smaller budget, but in a country as amazing as New Zealand bring money because there is nothing that isn't worth doing, whether local events or big adventures. For basic living though, expect to pay more than in the US for sure. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Check out the awesome deals available for travel through Nakedbus, Stray, and other travel companies. These deals can be cheap-as, and save you tons of money in the long run! Shop generic brands at the grocery store, they taste just the same and will save some cash. Also, try not to eat out! Food is much more expensive at fast food places or restaurants, so cook for yourself or take full advantage of a meal plan. |
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 had known a little more of the reality of the cost of NZ. Probably my own fault, but I didn't realize how much more money I would spend. I was fine and made it through, but I wish someone had made it more known to me. For the most part however, I think a little mystery as to how NZ really is is a good thing. It forces you to step outside your comfort zone to figure things out, to be on your own a little more. Nothing was too overwhelming though, TEAN does an incredible job preparing us for everything! |
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. |
