The Greatest of Adventures Past Review
By Lauren A (Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication., Drake University) - abroad from 02/06/2013 to 07/06/2013 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Wellington - Victoria University of Wellington
I was able to learn a lot about myself and my abilities. I learned that I am much more capable of independence than I ever would have thought. Studying abroad gives you a chance to really be part of a community. I was able to learn about a new culture in an incredibly beautiful country, and I wouldn't change my experience for the world. It was one of teh best decisions I have ever made.
Review Photos
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. |
I really enjoyed being able to experience life as a student in Wellington. I would say that the difficulty of the courses at Victoria is comparable to that of most universities in the United States, so the transition was not very difficult. Victoria has great resources for writing or math help, and the teachers and tutors always made themselves available to help. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was great at getting us everything we needed to get started at Victoria and made the transition into university in New Zealand very smooth. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was paired with four roommates and a "kiwi mate" with whom I got along great.. My house was near campus and was a short walk from the city. It was the perfect house in a perfect location. |
| * Food: |
Food was not provided for us, so we bought groceries from the store or the (awesome and super fresh) farmer's market and cooked for ourselves. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Wellington has tons of people, and kiwis are very friendly so I got to meet lots of new people and see new things in a city that was different from my own. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I only got sick once here, but I was seen right away and was able to get what I needed. We had full insurance, and I always felt safe. The experience was very similar to what it would have been at home, and I was always well taken care of. The standard vaccines for New Zealand were the same as in the United States, so I was all set before I left! |
| * Safety: |
I always felt totally safe in Wellington. The housing is very secure and the city has a very low crime rate. It is still important to be aware and cautious wherever you go, but I never felt like I was in danger in Wellington. |
| 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 able to live on a budget, and spent about the same as I would at home on basic living expenses. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about $50 on food and about $10-$20 on weekends when we went out for dinner. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would say that it is important to stick to a budget when in school. Set aside a certain amount for groceries and weekend activities. It is ok to splurge on trips and such, but try to live cheaply otherwise. |
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? | N/A |
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. |
