Once you go TEAN you never go back Past Review
By Sarah S (History, College of Charleston) for
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Wellington - Victoria University of Wellington
My experience with TEAN were unbelievable. Right out of the starting gate they fully immerse you within the culture so that you are not taken back when you are left on your own. I met a lot of other students on different programs that seemed to be getting suffocated by their programs. TEAN allowed me to actually experience New Zealand for myself while checking-up every now and then to make sure we were okay.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
While I feel that the work loads were similar in both counties the way it is divided up is different. In the American education system over the course of a semester, one will have multiple assignments and test through out. However in the New Zealand eduction system there seemed to be 1-2 major assignments and then maybe a final. Teaching methods are pretty much the same. In New Zealand you call your professor by their first name. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My program did a great job having someone always available to answer ones questions without being like a mom and holding your hand every step of the way. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a house with nine other students both international and local students. It was a very good way of mixing the students and I really enjoyed it. |
| * Food: |
Had to cook my own meals so of course they were amazing |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Going to the red rocks, the water front and jumping off the plank, te papa museum which was unreal. Everything in the city of Wellington was an adventure and everyone is so nice it is hard not to have a good social time. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Always had a public safety officer walking around. No one ever got hurt and students were always watching out for one-another, walking home. I never felt unsafe no matter what time of day it was. I also got sick the first week I was in Wellington, the student health services saw me right away put me on medication, which I did not have to pay for. I had two check-ups after and was good to go. |
| 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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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | If you have a chance to travel and study with TEAN, take it. It is a small program that makes you feel like you are part of a family. The relationships you form at TEAN both with fellow students and the staff are ones that will last a life time. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
History of Australia |
| Course Department: | HIST 222 |
| Instructor: | Kate Hunter |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This was a fun and interesting course, especially since in the United States we do not usually learn about the pacific. While the course was demanding in writing, Kate made it totally worth it. Her fun style of teaching made every student truly enjoy coming to her class. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
