5 Islands, 3 Countries, 10 Pounds, & No regrets Past Review

By (Business Marketing, Augsburg College) - abroad from 02/07/2013 to 07/07/2013 with

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Wellington - Victoria University of Wellington

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained insight into how other parts of the world live and learned about their values, customs, and norms. It was leap outside of my comfort zone and allowed me open my eyes even more to opportunities, sites, and experiences I never thought I would have. I learned from TEAN to think: "It's not wrong, it's just different." The experience was beyond worthwhile; it was the best 5 months of my life.

Review Photos

The Education Abroad Network: Wellington - Victoria University of Wellington Photo The Education Abroad Network: Wellington - Victoria University of Wellington Photo The Education Abroad Network: Wellington - Victoria University of Wellington Photo The Education Abroad Network: Wellington - Victoria University of Wellington Photo The Education Abroad Network: Wellington - Victoria University of Wellington Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The on-site TEAN administration was awesome. When we needed help they were easy to get ahold of, and when we did not they didn't smother us. They knew the perfect balance for us.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

New Zealand is a very expensive country to live in. When I was not traveling around the country I could live on $200 per week. However, when I was visiting other parts of the country I was obviously spending a lot more money.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Averaging out all my expenses (including traveling) it was about $350 a week I was spending.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The pre-semester excursion
  • Activities during the semester
  • The people
* What could be improved?
  • NOTHING!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing, TEAN was awesome at letting us know everything about the program and what was going on when and where.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.