New Zealand: The Time of My Life! Past Review
By Makana M (English, Hawaiian Studies, University of Hawaii - Manoa) for
The University of Auckland: Auckland - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Absolutely. Best experience of my life. I loved learning about the Maori culture and being able to compare it to Hawaii's own Native Hawaiian culture.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The difference in teaching styles was one of the biggest changes I experienced. At my home institution there are a lot of homework assignments given throughout the semester, but at my host university, students' grades were based on a mid-semester assignment (typically an essay or two), a final assignment (typically another essay or two), and a final exam. The format of the final exams was different from my home university as well. The final exam accounted for a majority of the students' overall grades, so it is important to put a lot of effort into studying throughout the semester. The grading system is different as well. An 80 would be equivalent to an A, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Worked hard to ensure we were prepared to study abroad. The visa application process was a little bit difficult. You need to submit your flight itinerary (to and from) and a bank statement proving you have around $4500. Because it's not the school's responsibility to complete the visa, I feel like it was a little bit confusing (or maybe I didn't really read the website fully). |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
You need to buy sheets, pillows, sheets, and any other household item generally needed to move into the dorms. Wellesley Student Apartments provided us with a set of dishware and a mattress cover. The apartment was staffed with a security guard from about 6pm to 8am. A key and a swipe card were needed to enter the premises. Very safe! |
| * Food: |
Eat at the India Cafe at the Quad on campus... Butter chicken there is DELICIOUS! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We were there during the Rugby World Cup, so it was an amazing time to study in New Zealand. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt very safe around the campus and in town, even at night. The on campus Health Program was a little confusing for me. I'm not sure what was covered by the insurance we were required to purchase (I believe we pay $250 for it). |
| 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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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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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? | Save up before you come so that you can travel to the South Island. My friends and I did a bus "tour" around the South Island with Stray (a travel company) and stayed at hostels. Also, make sure to watch an All Blacks game. You'll want a lot of money for traveling because Australia is so close (and a lot of other Pacific Islands). |
