Being Different: How Random Decisions are the Best Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I talked about this above, but expectations were much higher in New Zealand than at my home university or when I studied abroad before. The workload was pretty heavy but I understood that some of the readings didn't need to be done, although I always did them. I wasn't used to big lectures and then tutorials, as I go to a really small university in America, so that took some getting used to. It really bothered me some times that I was just a number in a class and under qualified tutors were really teaching me. This especially was the case when I had two different assignments graded by a professor and a tutor. The professor graded the first assignment and gave me an A. I followed what I did the second time around and the tutor graded it. He didn't like what the professor had liked in my first paper and I ended up getting a B+. Unfortunately classes were over and there was nothing I could do about it. The grading threw me for a loop at first, but I soon got used to it and concluded that it did make more sense than America's does.

On-site administration of your program

I didn't actually have an on-site administrator for my program. Our New Zealand director was based in Auckland. However, if I emailed anyone at TEAN I knew that they would help me or point me towards someone else who could. They were very helpful when I was traveling around or concerned about receiving my transcript.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in what they called a "flat", which was really a small house. I always felt safe at night in my neighborhood, especially when I was walking home alone around 3AM. It was close to the university but a 15 minute walk down into town. The worst part being the walk home up the hills. It was set up through the university and they were always so accommodating. They heard out all of my complaints and got someone to quickly fix something that was broken. I was really impressed by them. I wish that there had been more of a variety of people living in my house. There were three Vietnamese girls, one Taiwanese girl, and three American girls.

Eating out is EXPENSIVE in New Zealand. But, when you think about it, when there's no tip to leave, it comes out to be the same. KK Malaysia is absolutely delicious and the little Mexican place at the end of Left Bank off Cuba Street is also really good. Hotel Bristol has really good nachos.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The trip to Fiji was amazing, even though it rained for 2 of the 4 days we were there. Fiji is not really a place I would have gone on my own, so it was really cool to provide that for us. The zorbing was also really neat. I really enjoyed when TEAN paid for meals out.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I don't remember ever feeling unsafe. Even during the World Cup. Cops were everywhere and Kiwis are just really nice and friendly people. The crime rate is extremely low there.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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• Other

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• Americans
• International Students

• the extras
• the close-knit community
• the support

• TEAN rep in Wellington