Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

TEAN - A program that provided me with lifelong friends Past Review

By (University of Massachusetts Amherst / UMass) - abroad from 02/06/2019 to 06/30/2019 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 further knowledge about myself that I would've never found had I never gone abroad to New Zealand. I found out more about my identity, what makes me happy, and what kind of life I hope to have. I also learned the value of global knowledge and understanding, and my world-views shifted in response to my experience abroad in a very positive way.

Review Photos

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

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Victoria University of Wellington was a very good school. The professors taught me so much and while some classes were more difficult, they were very valuable academically. I enjoyed the challenges and I faced in courses because they pushed me to learn more about the topics I studied. The lecturers were some of the best I've ever had!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The Education Abroad Network was extremely good at touching base with us while abroad and giving us special activities to bring the program together.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I really liked my flat and flat mates. The flat was fairly new and maintenance was very good at fixing anything that wasn't working properly.

* Food:

I lived right near one of the locations of the weekly farmers markets and the fresh fruit and vegetables were amazing!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Wellington feels like one big community so I felt well integrated into local culture. I was also part of the Tramping Club on campus which helped me meet locals and create a community at school.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was lucky enough not to have any health issues abroad, but those who had issues had their ailments fully covered.

* Safety:

Wellington is probably the most safe place I've ever lived. I never felt unsafe once. Even if I walked around the city at night, I knew people cared enough to help in an emergency.

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

My experience with TEAN was extremely helpful and supportive. The people I met in the program became some of my best friends. The TEAN orientation for New Zealand, which brought together students from all of the New Zealand universities, was a huge highlight for me and gave me access to locations throughout New Zealand. Meeting people from all of the New Zealand universities gave me friends to stay with across New Zealand, and I ended up exploring the country with close friends I made there. Once we were moved in at our universities, TEAN was very good at being supportive to us and provided several memorable outings. The outings were really fun and allowed me to do activities and see places that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. Overall, the TEAN staff and fellow students in my program were crucial to my wonderful experience abroad in New Zealand.

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)

I saved up for my study abroad experience, and while I spent a good chunk of money, I was easily able to afford living cost. I decided to designate a lot of my money to travel, and I found ways to travel cheaply and affordably throughout New Zealand.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would recommend figuring out which activities and items you want to designate money towards so that you can put money aside for things you want to do the most.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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 people
  • The activities
  • The constant support
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing :)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? There isn't really anything that comes to mind that I wish I knew before because I feel as though I learned what I needed to.

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 Adventurer
The 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.