NZ was beautiful! Past Review
By Victoria B (Physical therapy, Lebanon Valley College) for
University of Waikato: Hamilton - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was definitely worthwhile. I met so many people who I would have never met if I had not gone and got to see and do so many things that I would have never done otherwise.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The grading system was a lot easier there. I only needed a 50% in classes to pass and everything transferred back to my home school as pass/fail. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The NZ lifestyle was very laid back compared to what I was used to, but once I got used to it, it was fine. I really did not talk much with the on-site administrator while I was there. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was nice living in a single room and not having to pay any extra for it. It was also fun to meet Kiwis (New Zealanders) who lived on my floor and other international students. However, the other students that I came with from my home university and I were split up in completely different dorms which made things really difficult at first. |
| * Food: |
Honestly, the food at Waikato could have been a lot better. They always had way too many carbohydrates, like pasta, potatoes, and rice without much protein or vegetables. I really wish this would have improved, but the best meal was breakfast! All the muesli you want! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Some of my friends and I went sky diving which was absolutely amazing! We went to Rotorua where we louged as well and also went to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing where we climbed Mt. Doom (from the Lord of the Rings). There were always so many different places to go! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Luckily, my university at home here, provided us with some health insurance while abroad too, so everything was taken care of very easily and anytime I needed a prescription or to see a doctor, I did not need to pay anything. |
| 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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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
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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? | Any student who does not want to worry about a language barrier would like to visit New Zealand. This would be a good place for adventure seekers and people who like the outdoors. |
