Aotearoa New Zealand: Best Decision I have made for myself thus far Past Review
By Rebekah L (Hawaiian Language, University of Hawaii - Manoa) for
University of Waikato: Hamilton - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Everyday in class was "how can I use this thinking towards my own culture and learning" It really was an eye opener and inspiring. My future plans are still "in the works" but that thirst for traveling & being introduced to new cultures has only grown.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
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 |
They were very helpful always responded in a days time. Knowledgeable staff and very friendly. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a dorm, which means I lived with younger students. It definitely helped with your development and making friends. It was close enough to campus, but far from any classes. Night life was a $10 NZD taxi away, or during campus events a shuttle away. I needed to buy towels and food to snack on but thats about it, the dorms provided you with sheets and 2 blankets. |
| * Food: |
The worst thing about the dorms is the food. You get use to dirty bathrooms on weekends when the boys use the ʻgirls showerʻ after training. You get use to loud weekends. But somehow, you never get use to the food at the dorms its bland, and sometimes they will surprise you with something good. I would suggest, Friday night aka "fatty fridays" make plans to go out. Hells Pizza above the Uni is always choice! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Make contacts with the adults when you come from Hawaiʻi, they will always pull you in and take you with them whenever they can. Going to a Pokai, on a Marae was my most memorable experience, but there are always programs arranged by the Study Abroad Centre, i.e. Taupo bungee, Waitomo caves, Auckland. All of them, AMAZING!! XOXOXOX |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
It is relatively one of the safest places in the world. My advice, always stay with someone after dark, and just take a friend with you everywhere, but trust me, its WAY more fun doing it that way ANWAY. The health care system was really good. I got the Flu my 1st month there. I was seen by a nurse, who stopped a very busy doctor before he left for the day, who then helped me and wrote me a note before he left, & then I picked up my medicine a little while later from the pharmacy on campus and everything was covered by my travel insurance through the school. |
| 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
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Teachers, tutorial sections, classmates, & locals. Most people spoke English with local colloquial and Māori. i.e. Flash, boot, biscuits, shot, whānau, whare, tikanga etc. |
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?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Make friends, tons of them. Say yes to every opportunity. Get in contact with someone from there before you head over or as soon as you get there. I would say Hawaiian Study & Language Major students because Waikato is a new way to look at Hawaiian culture, arts, and language. But anyone who has a passion for Māori and Aotearoa should go to Waikato where they work to bring the Māori culture/language/arts and infuse it with the English curriculum. |
