Study Abroad in Auckland with Unitec

I am studying one semester at Unitec, Auckland and I am taking design courses as my main. The teachers are very good and so is the level of the courses. I am learning a lot and enjoying my experience in school! I like the that you can choose your courses that you would like to take and build up your portfolio in areas you either want to specialize in or broaden your knowledge. It is possible to change courses in the two first weeks if you change your mind regarding your selection of courses.

Auckland is a big city and offers a variety of things to do and see. The food scene is amazing with lots of different restaurants, cafes, pubs and so on. There is a vibrant nightlife in the city. As for the school, they don’t arrange that much for us students so that is up to your group of people to do yourself.

My study abroad was mandatory for my Bachelor programme back in The Netherlands and I couldn't happier that I chose Unitec without any doubt. The campus is big and has plenty to offer. Same goes for the city itself, it is very lively and you simply can't feel bored, there's always something to do. And the rest of the country is simply stunning, I don't think you can find a more beautiful place on the planet! Everyone from the staff was incredibly friendly and always willing to help or simply give tips about any trips or experiences, which made our stay even more memorable. My major back at home is Business Communication, so I opted for the courses from the Business programme. The lecturers were very helpful and we had a decent amount of assessments, but I don't think they were difficult at all. I wished there were more events and activities for the students to socialise with each other, but even without them my semester abroad at Unitec has definitely made some of the best memories I could have!

Going for a semester abroad was part of my bachelor degree in my home university in Austria. I've decided to go to New Zealand and choose Unitec. The welcome week was great with an impressive traditional maori welcome ceremony. My expectations were fulfilled, and I really loved at this beautiful and spacious campus. They offer a wide range on different courses and lectors are really helpful and friendly. Classes are small, very interactive, and the teaching contents have a great practical relevance. The whole stuff is always supportive and help you wherever they can. The country of New Zealand itself ist just amazing and offers so many magic places to discover. Living in Auckland is the perfect location between city life and trips into the stunning nature. 100% recomentation! Unitec & NZ - you've got me!

Studying in Auckland is so much fun. I made friends with a lot of people around the world and the courses I take are very interesting and I can see how things are going to work in real life.
The way of teaching here is so different than back home in Austria, since the lecturers are more like coaches and they are trying to help in every situation.
I would DEFINITELY recommend my program and I wish I could have stayed longer here.

Unitec is a very unique university in the sense that the people, professors, and campus isn't anything like what I expected. The people are extremely nice, more than 50% of students aren't from New Zealand, at least from the classes I was enrolled in, so it was interesting to hear about places all over the world from an educational viewpoint. Again, not one of my four professors was from New Zealand, but they have such an appreciation for the culture and lifestyle they act like Kiwi's. The university itself is very unique because half of the campus looks very industrial, with shipping containers and portables, and the other half resembles architecture from European libraries and buildings.
The campus is extremely safe and I never once felt at danger even walking home after an 8:30 PM lecture.

I’ve spent a year abroad before and I remember being really homesick at times. Being here in New Zealand ,studying at Unitec, I feel so comfortable and there wasn’t a single sign of homesickness since the day I arrived in February. One of the major things that made me feel so welcome here was the international orientation when we got to participate in a traditional Maori ceremony. In my home country Germany we don’t have indigenous people as part of our culture, so I was especially excited to learn about the Maori culture. After a few Unitec student performed this really cool and powerful Maori dance, we got to say hello to some of our future lecturers, important staff from Unitec and Maori people who led the ceremony. We all lined up and greeted each and every one of them with a handshake and our foreheads and noses touching. The leader of the Maori ceremony explained to me that this was called ‘the breath of life’ and goes way back to the beginning of Maori history. I don’t know what is was about this special greeting but this was the warmest and most sincere welcome that I ever experienced. This is what I love about New Zealand - the people here and the beautiful nature make me feel home. A couple of weeks ago I got to spend 4 hours at Muriwai Beach just by myself, walking around and watching the ocean and people surfing. It was one of the best days I had here because I was just in awe of how beautiful this country is. Sometime I get these moments and I they will forever be in my mind because of how happy they made me feel.

Committing to a study abroad program is a major decision that you will never regret and always remember. There are few places in this world that are higher acclaimed than the natural beauty that New Zealand has to offer. Once finding a program in New Zealand with Unitec I knew I was in for a trip of a lifetime and I would make the most out all the country and school had to offer.

Unitec presides just outside of Auckland city providing students with an approachable location within arms-reach of Auckland’s best attractions. They do a great job of making sure students are well taken care of and have every possible resource they may need. The Mt. Albert Campus produces an open layout but boasts the massive Hub for food, drinks, studying, and hanging out between classes. Studies at Unitec are very manageable and the class plans allow you to work at your own pace to complete assignments. As a Business major in the U.S. I found the classes and Lecturers approachable and informative which was a major part of my experience.

Due to the comparatively lackadaisical lesson plans and great faculty throughout Unitec I was able to comfortably start and finish my assignments often ahead of schedule allowing me to explore the wonders of New Zealand. Once your studies are done there is no limit to what you can see and do in this country. With great rental and flight rates with proper planning and a little bit of improvisation you can get all over the country on a great budget. Auckland itself is a beautiful and easy to understand city with reliable public transportation and great sites within 45 minutes in each direction.

Culture shock is very low at Unitec and in New Zealand, you will find adjusting to the pace and people very easy and even relieving. The largest adjustment you should expect is housing. Housing in New Zealand is held to a very relaxed standard and don’t be surprised to find some less than luxurious apartments upon arrival. However, with the right flat mates and a positive outlook on any obstacle your space will soon be home.

One of the most underrated portions of New Zealand and this program are the incredible people you will come into contact with. Unitec will expose you to almost every global nationality just through your classes. The campus is wonderfully diverse and you’ll have the opportunity to meet, live, and work with people from all walks of the world. In addition, Lesley Precious (the international manager) will be around every corner with great tips and ready to help with whatever you may need. The highlight of my trip and every memory I will keep from this experience are from the amazing individuals I’ve gotten to travel and interact with on this exchange.

Overall, Unitec will provide you with an incredible platform to get a quality education while also experiencing New Zealand at your leisure. You will make new friends, experience a new culture and conquer new obstacles big and small. This program is what you make of it and, apart from submitting assignments, there are virtually no limits to what you can do here.

When I was deciding where I wanted to go for my exchange semester, I came to the conclusion that I wanted an adventure. I looked into my options and immediately felt excited about New Zealand. It is far from my normal life in Scandinavia and offered a nature that can't be experienced anywhere else. New Zealand and Unitec proved to be a perfect choice for me.

It felt convenient and easy moving to an english speaking country, since it made it much easier for me to adapt to the new country and culture. I decided to live in a 5-room flat on campus with 3 other students. Surely, the standard of the flat was not excellent, but it was the best decision I made during my exchange semester. Through my flatmates I got to meet a lot of new friends in no-time, which made my transition to New Zealand and Auckland much easier. In general, through both the housing and Unitec, I got to meet a lot of new friends from all over the world, both full-time students at Unitec and other exchange students. Furthermore, Lesley Precious (International Relationship Manager) is there to make sure you have a good time at Unitec, and she was truly great at taking care of all the exchange students.

Personally, the academic level was a bit below what I'm used to back in Denmark. However, most of the courses I took was very interesting and highly relevant for me and my studies, so the academic challenge didn't worry me at all. Furthermore, I chose to study in New Zealand to travel and see everything the country had to offer. Thereby, the hours I saved from studying, I didn't mind spending to explore the magic nature of New Zealand. Unitec even arranges a few trips on the North Island which are really nice to join, since they plan everything for you, and you get to travel with fellow students.

Even though I have been traveling a lot during my exchange semester, I still feel there is so much more to see in New Zealand. I definitely want to go back when I get the chance, to explore and experience the places I missed.

My experience in New Zealand and at Unitec exceeded my expectations! I can really recommend Unitec as a study location for your exchange semester!