Program Reviews

I had the best experience I could have had. Sometimes it's frustrating going to school while in the most beautiful and magical country you've ever been in, but you have to realize that you're not going to do everything you want to do. Most trips will be crammed into weekends and you'll only get a taste of the incredible things you can do in New Zealand. But because you are working so hard, those weekend trips are something to look forward to. Do them! Don't spend all your time partying, go out and experience! After a weekend of drinking, there's nothing better than spending the next one canoeing down the Whanganui River.

School was harder than it is back home (in Canada) so be prepared to work your butt off and not always get the results you expect. But don't stress too much (especially if you're on pass/fail). People know you're here to have fun, just as much to get the kiwi university experience. And will these grades matter in 5 years? No. Still, work hard and learn things. Take MAOR 123! I learned so much about the Maori culture and history and enjoyed doing it.

Living on campus was totally worth it. You're surrounded by people who want to do the same things as you, and sometimes they even plan trips for you. This is awesome because you get to enjoy yourself doing something really cool without even having to look on the internet to find the best deal for a car rental. Also, it's so worth it to be super close to town and super close to the uni. You never quite get over climbing the hill back to your flat, but at least you're getting exercise and working off those alcohol calories!

This was an incredible experience. I will miss the pineapple chews, the whittakers bars, marmite, not well insulated houses, the natural beauty, cows, sheep, the accents, the little fish that have the soya sauce in them, weekend trips and most of all all the amazing people I have met here. New Zealand is worth it and Wellington is worth it! Perfect city for those wanting to be in a small city right on the ocean and those who appreciate unique bars and cute coffee shops!

I have had amazing experiences in New Zealand, especially during the two week break from school. I went bungy jumping, horse trekking, wine tasting, tramping, and fishing. The country is strikingly beautiful; it surpasses all of my expectations in that regard. The initial adjustment was difficult, since my two roommates did not arrive until two weeks after me. This made me feel isolated and awkward. But, now that they are here, I am so grateful to have them. They are New Zealanders and constantly expose me to things that I otherwise would not have experiences, especially in regards to food. If I could do everything differently, I would have applied through a program. I applied directly to the university (not even through my home university) and basically was left to my own devices. The people who came to the university with a program entered school with a secure friend group. Initially I felt out of place and uncomfortable. That feeling has dissipated now, leaving me content with my experiences here. But, if given the opportunity to do it all over again, I would have paid the extra money for the program.