Program Reviews

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!

During my studies in Sweden I decided to take an exchange semester abroad and purely from the choice of country I stumbled upon Unitec. After about five short months in New Zealand I can easily say that this has been on of the best experiences of my life.

Starting first with the school. Unitec is a wonderful place to live and study. Housing option were on campus and housed many of the international students creating an amazing community and friend group which I will never forget. In comparison to other schooling I have done, the academics where definitely manageable with plenty of time for weekend trips and other social event. Studying design, the courses were very flexible and I enjoyed everyone single one of my classes and have much to take away from this education. The teaching staff were knowledgeable and always helpful.

Moving onto New Zealand. This country is the most beautiful place I have laid my eyes upon. The trips our friend group went on were fantastic and unforgettable. Even Auckland as a city is a great place to explore but once you leave the city there is so much to do and so much to explore that the five months did not feel like enough. I am planning to return to explore what I missed since I feel that I have missed a lot.

For anyone planning on studying abroad and looking to go on adventures I 100% recommend Unitec.

I decided to come and study in New Zealand for a semester because it was the farthest I could get from home and because I thought I would love it here. Studying here, exceeded my expectations by far. I love everything about New Zealand, except for the weird pineapple lumps, I don't understand the hype. Other than that, New Zealand is the place to be. I chose Unitec as my study abroad institute because it was the only option for me in Auckland. I am so happy I chose Unitec. The staff, students and teachers were all incredibly kind and I always felt I had the perfect school and travel balance. Unitec also offers some great trips for students to travel around New Zealand. Initially I had signed into one and by the end of the semester I actually did them all. They are so much fun! The greatest thing about studying in New Zealand is the proximity of everything. It is not a very big country and getting around it is quite easy. This is great, because every corner of New Zealand is stunning. You can find mountains, lakes, beaches, caves, etc. Basically anything in the recipe for adventure. Auckland itself is a great place to be. This bustling city is surrounded by numerous islands, I love Waiheke. There are some amazing beaches, go to Huia and Piha. Mounts, go to Mount Eden and Cornwall Park. Museums, the Auckland War Memorial Museum is a must! Nightlife, Bar 101 on Wednesdays is the best tradition for any student -there are 3 dollar beers-. If you have the chance, you should definitely visit the South Island of New Zealand. I have no words for this place other than, 'Go Now!' All in all, this experience has been the best of my life. The people I met here will forever have a special place in my heart, the places I saw are permanently engraved in my mind and I will never forget the never-ending happiness I felt here. If you are considering coming to New Zealand, look no further than Unitec, I promise that you won't regret it.

I have had an awesome time studying at Unitec. The class sizes are small which is beneficial when it comes to a more one-on-one learning approach. Everything is hands on, group work is important, and you can expect to develop your presentation skills. Overall, the staff was very helpful in making me feel comfortable in this new environment and I would absolutely recommend Unitec in the future for anyone who is thinking about doing an exchange or study abroad. New Zealand is a beautiful country with so many things to offer. Auckland has everything you would want out of a city and it is easy enough to escape if you're looking for beautiful scenery (which is everywhere). If you're lucky enough you may even make some friends like I did who can take you surfing and sailing. During my time here, I have learned how to surf, how to sail, how to drive on the left side of the road (in Canada it's the right side), some kiwi slang and fell in love (which I don't suggest, because it's really hard when you have to leave) I'm devastated to have to leave and would keep studying here if I had the chance. This experience has opened my eyes to the possibility of travel and the fact that I don't want to stop exploring any time soon. My heart has become full of wonder and love. I've had an experience like no other and have made so many amazing friends along the way. My recommendation to anyone going to another country to study abroad is to put yourself out there and to meet and spend time with the locals. Really immersing yourself in the country and what it has to offer is best done with the people who know it best. Unfortunately, I did not get the chance to see the South Island which is something I'll have to come back and do, but I did get to do a lot of things that many others cant say that they did, like spend multiple nights out at anchor in a bay somewhere in the Hauraki Gulf. The most memorable experience that I had was when I was anchored in a bay, just me and my boyfriend and it was night time (the water here at night time is full of bio-luminescence) and I had come outside for some reason just before dinner and I witnessed a large pod of dolphins racing by, causing the water to light up. I will never forget how it made me feel - I was speechless.

First off, if you're thinking of spending a semester in New Zealand, do it! It's probably the most beautiful country I've ever seen. And if you're looking for a school to go to, choose Unitec! They've got some really great programs (especially architecture, which I studied) and they have a lot of programming and some great staff dedicated to making sure the international students are well-looked after. Academically, this was one of my favorite semesters of my college career. I was pushed in the studio and produced a lot of nice work for my portfolio, but it wasn't so heavy of a workload as I am used to in the US. I still had plenty of time for weekend trips and daily adventures. I even trained for a marathon while I was there. And I got a lot of one on one attention from my professors, which was really valuable. As far as the accommodation goes on campus, it could definitely use a renovation. That being said, I am so glad I lived on campus as it made walking to class a breeze and I got to meet lots of other international students and we made a tight-knit community that really made my semester. Being in Auckland, there's lots of cool things to do around. You can walk to the beach or jump on the bus and be downtown in 15 minutes. And the neighborhood around Unitec is very nice as well. One thing I'm pretty excited about is all the improvements they are doing to Unitec's campus. They should be done this summer and it is going to be really nice. Overall, I definitely recommend studying abroad in New Zealand (particularly if you enjoy the outdoors) and I also highly recommend Unitec. And make sure to sign up for Unitec's Experience NZ trips - they're a great way to make friends and see the country.