Living Sustainably and loving it: Environmental studies in New Zealand Past Review
By Valerie F (Physics., Carleton College) for
University of New Hampshire: Whakatiwai - EcoQuest New Zealand
ABSOLUTELY. I can't just return to life the same way I was living it before this program; I will incorporate this experience into my everyday routine because there is no way I could do otherwise. The people and the principles governing the program are incredibly admirable, and I'm inspired to improve myself and live to my greatest potential because of it. No BS, either.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
EcoQuest is a fully immersive program. You really start to live the program's overall philosophy about acting environmentally sustainably. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
All living requirements were provided for; the campus is an old holiday motor camp, so student quarters were 2-4 person cabins spread out around the grounds. |
| * Food: |
The kitchen staff make strong efforts to accommodate all diets; that said, vegetarian-ism is only starting to catch on in rural New Zealand. EcoQuest's main campus is fairly rural, so there aren't many places to eat out, besides the local hotel/pub and fish and chip joint. However, about 40% of the program is spent traveling around New Zealand, so there are plenty of towns and cities to explore and find food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There really wasn't anything that WASN'T memorable... the people were great, the places we went were fascinating, beautiful, astounding... |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
New Zealand in general feels very safe, from both social and environmental threats (except perhaps earthquakes, but they're pretty prepared on that front). There are no plants or animals you have to watch out for, or any illnesses. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | It varied depending on whether it was "program" time or "free" time. During program time, all food, lodging and other expenses were covered. I spent roughly $1000 US on personal expenditures over the course of the 3.5 months there, which included food, hostels and activities. It's pretty easy to travel cheaply and find fun things to do for free/little money. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The program does a good job of finding information about activities and helping plan. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | This program is PERFECT for you if you are interested in global environmental conservation and sustainable living, enjoy working and playing outdoors, love adventure, and want to engage in a close community of like-minded students, field leaders and teachers. EcoQuest is pretty small -- 25 American students (primarily from the East Coast, but also from all over) -- so you get to know everyone very well, since you eat, sleep, study, travel, play and work together for nearly 4 months. But that builds a community like no other, since you are all dedicated to similar goals. |
