Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Fun and Immersive Experiences in NZ through UoA August 01, 2025

By (Astronomy & English, Wellesley College) - abroad from 02/24/2025 to 06/06/2025 with

The University of Auckland: Auckland - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a lot of self-confidence through studying abroad and feel more connected to my indigenous Māori heritage; this was an extremely worthwhile experience.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The Study Abroad Student Society (SASS) provides lots of great experiences for international students at Auckland.

* 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?

N/A; did not have any experiences with healthcare in New Zealand

* Safety:

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

UoA has lots of great clubs and offerings for students to get involved around campus and to travel to other parts of NZ. NZ is a fantastic location for studying abroad.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100 USD
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? N/A

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • On-Campus Clubs
  • City Location
  • Connection to Indigenous Heritage
* What could be improved?
  • High Cost of Living
  • Public Transport Infrastructure
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known that being able to travel around New Zealand requires a car; I would have considered renting a car for my time in the country.

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.