New Zealand: Amazingly Worth While! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Homework is not a constant, your grade is mainly comprised your exams and some essays. Lectures are recommended but not required. Going to them will get you a better grade, but a passing grade is usually attainable without attending them. Tutorials and Labs are required, you cannot pass if you do not attend them. It is up to you to sign up for these separate from your actual course registration. They call courses papers, so when you're trying to decide classes search for the catalogue of papers instead of the course catalogue or undergraduate catalogue. Self discipline is required for learning the material, not many courses give homework and such to guide your studies.

On-site administration of your program

Not many faculty knew where to send me when I was trying to get approval for courses, I was sent back and forth between departments and the Library. However it was still possible to get courses set before the semester started. Some Professors are hard to track down; they are rarely in their office.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The neighborhood is quite safe, but the buddy system is still a good idea. I live on campus, classes are within 5 minutes of my village. Bars and clubs are a 30 minute walk, there are buses and cabs that run cheap to the bar street. Shops for food and such close relatively early, there are very few food shops that are open 24hrs. Linens, two towels, and blankets are provided, there are some dishes and cook ware provided. Kitchen is equipped with a microwave and refrigerator. Most local students are very nice and easy to make friends with. RA's are helpful and rather nice. No guests in your room from other halls past 10pm, drinking in rooms is allowed until 10pm.

Food on campus isn't very good, self catered accommodations are recommended. Milk is put out in the morning and not kept on ice. Breakfast is toast, cereal, and yogurt. Condiment selection is lacking. Vegetarian options are generally always available, it's still a work in progress for them to cater to this dietary restriction. Not sure how they are for gluten free.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Resident Advisers often arrange trips to beaches near by. Many clubs and organizations arrange trips and hikes to various places. Through AustraLearn you get a culture and adventure week where you can pick an adventure day, you get to learn about the Maori people and learn their pre-war warriors ritual. You get to see the Waitoma caves and the glow worms. Volunteering options are provided for you, you can learn a lot form your team leaders. My volunteer team leader lived with the aboriginals in Australia and knows much about the Maori culture. He told us about natural medicines and weapons of the Maori.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Health care is accessible, and in any case that is not pre-existing free. Any prescriptions for pre-existing conditions must be covered out of pocket, all others are covered by your student insurance. The areas over all safety is good, but if you plan to do hiking be sure to talk to someone who has been there of knows about the terrain.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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• Dorm

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• Local Students