AUT University

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you could literally see the shape of the earth... amazing

First time sky diving!! A feeling I will never forget. IT. WAS. AMAZING.

AUT Marae with Auckland Sky Tower in the back

Auckland cityscape view from Harbour Bridge

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About

AUT University was established in 1895 and has transitioned from an excellent polytechnic to become a world ranked university. We are New Zealand’s third largest and fastest growing university – positioned in the top 5% of Universities internationally, with five star ratings for teaching, graduate employability, internationalization, access & facilities. AUT is accredited by the New Zealand Government and globally competitive.

Website

www.aut.ac.nz

Founded

2000

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Reviews

Studying abroad with TEAN was the best decision I could have made. TEAN supported my every decision and a TEAN staff member was always available to answer any question I had. I would recommend studying abroad through TEAN to any person leaving the country for their first time. I was very nervous during the week that led up to my time abroad because I have never left the country. TEAN helped me by introducing me to my new best friend, Samantha. Samantha and I met on the plane to NZ and ever since then, we have stuck by each others sides. I will always appreciate the amount of support TEAN provided with my transition for the US to NZ. They had a TEAN staff member at my university which also helped me adjust. I am so happy that I decided to go abroad with TEAN.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

The most nerve-racking moment was getting on the plane which left the United States in California. I could remember the day as if it were yesterday. My stomach was turning. I had never left the country, let alone left alone... I knew that going abroad was something I had dreamed of doing since I was in middle school, so I was not allowing fear to stop me. To anyone experiencing this: DO IT ANYWAYS!!! Fear is just in the head. The experiences you are about to gain are going to be life-changing...

I really liked this amazing breath taking experience, I met so many really nice people from all around the world, from the Netherlands to Canada and they helped me to grow and become a better person, the landscapes were so beautiful, we had the chance to make many road trips all around New Zealand, hiking through the tongariro or Abel tasman or even the mount taranaki.
The academic program was really strong and very digital I learned a lot about my field of study, it helped me enhance my knowledge about the financial world.
The administration people were really kind and nice they always were very responsive and if anyone had any question they were the persons to go to, they were really reliable.
I would strongly advise anyone who wants to go in exchange to choose New Zealand

What would you improve about this program?

The student facilities which were too expensive for the service they offered, the elevators not working, many issues

I've had a great time in Auckland. First of all, the city is different than what I'm used too, but I'd grow to love the city, because there is so much diversity and there are a lot of activities in and close to the city. In the two week mid semester break I traveled to the South Island, alone. A big leap for an unexperienced traveler, but I am so happy I did it, 'cause I've seen the most beautiful landscapes, drove around wonderful roads and met a lot of very nice travelers. This was such an enormous boos for my confidence and It brought me a lot of happiness and inner peace.

The school is very organised, and the teachers are patient and invested in the students. There are a lot of possibilities to work at school or to learn more stuff outside your usual classes. The campus has all the facilities you need, it was close to the city centre and had a very good vibe.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

Jumping out of a plane to gy skydiving. It's a matter of trust, when you trust that It will be fine you take more risks.

If you decide to choose AUT as your exchange school, you won't be disappointed! NZ is, in my opinion, the most beautiful country and the people are the best. When I decided to come here as an exchange, I knew that it was going to be fun but I had no idea that it would be this much fun! The staff and co-students are helpful and extremely nice. Moreover, the campus is very comfortable and good.

Sometimes I felt like my papers could've been more challenging. However, with a wide variety of papers, you can choose to make your studies more/less demanding.

A big part of the lives of exchange students is traveling. Because the stream-based paper selection system, you can choose to have days off your week and hence travel more if you want.

To sum it up, I was extremely satisfied with my exchange. Everyone helps you if needed, the facilities were nice and the atmosphere was amazing.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

During my semester break, I was travelling Australia and saw two koalas get into a fight. My life was shook.

My semester abroad was great, I met so many amazing people and was able to travel a lot during the semester through this beautiful country and to Australia. During the weekend we rented a car for small weekend trips. Definitely go to the south island which is so beautiful! If you have the chance do this during the summer time. It was nice to choose papers which are not directly related to my school back home for example I choose photography which taught me a lot about the techniqual side of the camera. If your studying in art and design I would recommend the texture of time class where you make a 16 mm film, the teachers are really nice and you are able to learn about developing the film a lot. All of this gave me new experiences. Stay in the WSA, you will meet a lot of people there.

What would you improve about this program?

The accommodation at WSA it is nice to be able to meet so many people but they could improve the facilities.

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Programs

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AUT University

Study Abroad at AUT University in New Zealand

New Zealand

9.19 •231 reviews

AUT University is the second largest University in New Zealand and is...

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose to go to New Zealand on exchange with my home college because I have heard amazing feedback from students who went before me. New Zealand is also an interesting case study when it comes to environmental management. The country has a lot of beautiful, conserved land, but composting is not very present; just being in another country for a few months enables me to see what actions are being taken elsewhere.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Since my program was through an exchange between Champlain College and AUT, the initial process was fairly simple for me. I still had to apply for the exchange to both schools, but Champlain dealt with the tuition payment and classes to take. This will make transferring my credits back home much easier as well.

Outside of these aspects, I was largely on my own for my visa, transportation, phone plan, housing, and various travel. This was not very difficult for me, as I have traveled quite a bit in the past, but it is a lot to think about; that being said, if you are reading this and feeling nervous about any of these, reach out to someone who can help guide you!

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I wish that I had known that the whole ordeal would not be as scary as I was anticipating. This may differ for other people, but, with good planning, the process was not as anxiety-provoking as I thought it would be.

I also wish that, before I left the US for my semester abroad, I had researched more about where I wanted to go in New Zealand while I was here. I love going into travel with open options so I can discover as I go, but I was left wishing I went to the 90-mile beach when it was still warm out. Create a little bucket list before you leave!

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Because my visa doesn't allow me to work here, my schedule is very open compared to back in the US. I only have four courses for the semester, and any other events I participate in have been voluntary. I have found that this free time has been valuable for me to pursue personal projects and goals outside of my college education. I started going to the gym, reading more books, and working on creative projects.

As for the weekends, a lot of my friends and I often have three-day weekends, so we have been able to take little weekend trips around the North Island.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was that I would feel out of place or uncomfortable in the big city of Auckland, New Zealand. I grew up in a town of less than 1,000 people and go to college in a city of around 60,000; Auckland has a population of 1.5 MILLION people, and that made me wary. However, the city is beautiful and very welcoming. The key is being open for a change and looking for a place that, even if it pushes you outside of your 'normal,' can accommodate what you seek.

Were there any experiences that pushed you out of your comfort zone?

No matter whether you go overseas or not, there will always be instances of something pushing you out of your comfort zone, but living abroad for a few months really brings new experiences I couldn't have imagined. Personally, I am a pretty bad swimmer, but I swam in the ocean with wild dolphins and fur seals.

For some people, this doesn't sound daunting, but I was incredibly nervous. After doing these activities, I can confidently say that pushing myself was well worth it. I learned so much during it, both about myself and about the places and animals I was around. If I hadn't studied in New Zealand for the semester, I don't think I would have progressed like I did.

Nina Eydenkaldt

Michelle Garvey

Jan-Willem Aarents

Alyssa Jeffer

2014 Alum

Jessica Cohen

Shannon Yska

Merel Jansen

2015 Alum

Henriette Andrea Hansen

Alexander Boehmer

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Sam previously worked at AUT and is now completing his Masters in Norway. The international education adventure has not stopped for him!

What is your favorite travel memory?

Seeing an old friend in London after a rough day of travel!

I had started the day with a 3:30 am flight from Bergen getting into Manchester later in the morning for an event starting at 12. It ran until the late afternoon, at which point we had to quickly pack up and catch a taxi to the train station. We were crammed into a packed train to London. With my over-sized luggage in tow, I then had to navigate the Tube to find my hotel. My phone was dead by this time, I was relying on passers-by for directions. I eventually got there to find an old friend waiting for me. I was exhausted at this point, but there was no greater feeling than sharing a beer with a mate after a long, long day!

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Which destination is most underrated? Conversely, which is most overrated?

Estonia in my opinion is a country that more people should visit! Just a ferry ride from Helsinki, Tallinn is a beautiful city, with a lot to see and do. The cost of living is quite low, so a beer and meal won't set you back much. If you get out of Tallinn, you really should visit some of the islands, like Saaremaa. A magical place, filled with natural beauty and history.

On the other hand, Amsterdam was not that amazing in my opinion. Far too many tourists for my liking!

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

For me, it's how we engage with our stakeholders. In my role, the most important are the students and partner universities. Students have lots of questions before they arrive, and then need a welcoming introduction once they get here. If we can give them a good experience, they will tell their friends and family back home. Word of mouth is a great way to encourage more students to choose AUT when they study abroad.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

When I started at AUT, I really had no idea about the scope of International Education. I've learned how vast this industry is, and how exciting it is to work in. Before starting in this role, I would never have seen myself working in this industry. But I can now see a career path for myself, in an area which I'm passionate about. The most rewarding aspect for me is seeing international students coming to study in New Zealand, and the positive experiences and impressions they leave with.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

We had a German design student who planned to come for one semester last year, who ended up staying for the whole year because he loved AUT and Auckland so much. He is now planning to finish his studies in Germany and return to AUT for postgraduate study, with hopes of landing a job at Weta Workshop in Wellington.