Why did you choose this program?
AUT University and Champlain College have an exchange set up which makes it very easy to come over to study with them. In addition, being an education major there is nowhere better to study than New Zealand; their education system is something that any aspiring educator is lucky to learn from.
Beyond the ease and the educational value, New Zealand is somewhere I have always wanted to travel. I met a staff member, Kenneth Holt, at Champlain College during my sophomore year. His kind demeanor and excitement for exchange students made me instantly excited about the idea of studying in New Zealand with this program.
What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
At first our home university, Champlain College, helped us with the initial application for exchange at AUT University. Once we were accepted into AUT University, however, the torch was passed to AUT. Our assigned advisor in the exchange program was extremely helpful.
They provided the information needed to register for classes, reserve housing in student apartments, get our visas settled, and socialize with other new international students we were about to meet. We did have to organize our own flights to and from New Zealand to be there in time for International Student Orientation a week before classes started.
We also had to figure out our own way from the airport to our accommodation. If a student did not have a flat, staff posted various online sites that they could use to look prior to arrival on our International Facebook page. Overall, the staff at AUT was incredible about answering questions, helping with the various paperwork that was required, and giving as much help in the areas they could not organize on their own. They made this transition as stress-free as possible.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
Be open to new relationships. Interact with other international students on the Facebook page before you come over and get to know each other. The staff sets this up for a reason; it is so nice to come over and being able to recognize others in your program. These people will turn out to be some of your closest friends.
Be sure to not only be open to international student relationships, but also Kiwi student relationships. My Kiwi flatmates are my closest friends and best resources here in New Zealand. They are the most genuine people I have ever had the chance to get to know and they have showed me the in and outs of Auckland, quickly making this place home.
My largest advice I can pass on is to be open to new relationships and allow them to flourish before, during, and continue on after the program. My friendships have made this experience more amazing than it would have been without them.
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
The average week for me in this program is class on some Mondays (this course only met 5 weeks of the semester due to outside class commitments), Tuesdays, and Thursdays. I had Wednesday and Friday off from class each week. I was also able to obtain a volunteer opportunity at a local school all day on Wednesdays and Fridays to have the opportunity of comparing primary schools here in New Zealand and in the United States.
In the evening it is a social time where I spend time around the tv with my flatmates, enjoying a flat dinner together, or even grabbing a drink when we don't have work to do. The weekends are time to travel and enjoy Auckland. The amount of work and assignments given is extremely manageable creating time to get to know others and enjoy time abroad while still being productive.
I do my work between courses on Tuesdays and Thursdays to ensure free time with friends later on and during the weekends. The weekly balance between work and enjoyment is extremely manageable.
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it and/or how did your views on the issue change?
My biggest fear with going abroad was homesickness. I have a very supportive base of people back home and I was afraid it would be too hard to be away from this base. What I did not take into consideration was the amazing friends and whānau (or family) I would meet here in New Zealand.
I have an incredible group of flatmates in the student apartments and have made amazing connections with other international students.
I have not felt lonely here in New Zealand and I have not been overwhelmingly homesick since I have arrived. Another key aspect to remember is the ease of communication due to technology. I have been able to see my family and friends on Skype and FaceTime and be able to talk to them over messages through iMessage, WhatsApp, and Viber. There are amazing apps that make communication easy and makes the world and space feel smaller.
This experience is so incredible and exciting that I have found myself enjoying every second. Being the furthest away from this vast support system I have ever been has resulted in a great independence. Studying abroad has allowed me to explore myself and develop my own voice and greater opinions and solidify the values I hold highest. My greatest fear turned out to be the greatest driver for an amazing growth in myself.
What was the best trip you went on during your time in New Zealand?
During the two week mid semester break I went down to the South Island with two friends. I took a Kiwi Experience bus around the island to see the most of it in the amount of time I had. The pass was on sale and as a result extremely worth the money. I not only got to spend the time with two amazing friends, but we travelled around with the same people for the two weeks creating a really cool bond between us all.
The sights I saw in the South Island were amazing and one of the main reasons I chose New Zealand. Pictures do not do the scenery justice and we were gifted with incredible weather the entire two weeks. These two weeks were some of my favorite experiences during my time here.
It was such an eyeopening and humbling experience that I look back on extremely fondly. I highly recommend it because of the gorgeous scenery but also the feeling being surrounded with such beautiful places gave me in terms of recognizing my part in the world. Nature has an incredible power to initiate reflection and I contribute a lot of my growth during this semester to this trip.