Why did you decide to study abroad with GlobaLinks?
Danielle: Globalinks has a very unique way in which they work you into the country. I met with a Globalinks representative at a study abroad fair my freshman year at university and was immediately drawn to the program. They allow the students to experience the culture with a week long program in Roturua - lovingly made fun of at Rotu-Vegas, the Las Vegas of New Zealand, where you can choose from dozens of activities from skydiving to white water rafting to massages and hot springs. There is something for everyone. Additionally, Globalinks offers one free trip for all of its participants; my semester the choices were Queenstown, Arlie Beach, Bali, or Fiji. This is the kind of stuff that made me chose Globalinks, and once I did I couldn't of been happier! The staff is amazing and supportive and so on top of their game. One particularly helpful individual even helped me get my visa in less than five days!
Describe your program socially and academically.
Danielle: Social life at AUT is absolutely thriving. Unlike at American universities, they do no do alto of dorm specific or major specific or anyhting specific kind of events. But AUSM (student leadership at AUT) throws many events every semester from foam parties to "bitchin' bingo," a favorite of those partaking in Vesbar (the on campus bar) festivities. Academically, it highly depends on your major and course load. I personally took two third year classes (their equivalent of senior year), Partial Differential Equations and Genetics and did find myself struggling to keep up some times. But other students, especially those that took Maori or New Zealand culture or history classes learned a lot but were not challenged with exams and such.
Tell us about any interesting cultural tidbits you noticed about your country.
Danielle: There is not a technical language barrier between the US and New Zealand, however is was just as hard to understand sometimes as if there was. They use a wide variety of colloquial terms and words that we also use but that have a totally different meaning. For example if someone is America tells you "you're doing a decent job" that means basically par work. In New Zealand, it's essentially a compliment. Meaning the same as if you had said "you're doing an excellent/fantastic/above average job." Additionally, there is no real sense of politically correct and non politically correct language there. I wont go into specifics, since that might offend someone, but it was an interesting form of culture shock to be called names - and not even rudely - that I would never have said in America. Secondly, everyone loves the All Blacks. No one doesn't care about rugby. They might not be a die hard fan. But you can ask any person on the street after an All Blacks game and they will know the score.
If you could do-over one thing, what would it be?
Danielle: I would have stayed a couple extra weeks after the programs end date to travel more! We definitely traveled a lot during the semester, but there is just so much to see and do in the country that I felt sad I couldn't see all of it.