Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Kiwis, Hobbits, and Jandals Past Review

By (University of Arkansas - Fayetteville) - abroad from 02/15/2013 to 06/18/2013 with

USAC New Zealand: Massey University - Undergraduate and Graduate Courses

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I have a completely new perspective on the world now. I learned how to be open minded. Being abroad has taught me to be more accepting of people that are different from myself, and how to learn from them. It was absolutely the best four months of my life.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My housing was AMAZING! It made my study abroad experience so much better. I lived with almost all New Zealanders, and absolutely loved it!

* Food:

Food isn't bad, just different!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Never felt safer than I have in New Zealand.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

Everything is quite a bit more expensive here. Things like toiletries are a lot higher priced. I would say it was about a 3.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? around 100$ I traveled a lot, so it depended on whether I was traveling or not.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Bring things like deoderant and face wash, or make up from home. It is crazy expensive here.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local 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?
  • Very helpful international staff @ Massey
* What could be improved?
  • USAC wasnt as involved as other programs once you are in NZ
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That there are TONS of programs, and you should research the pros and cons of all of them before choosing!

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.