Program Reviews

I can't even believe this experience is ending. It has been among the most transformative times in my life. What started out as a trip to study for six months in another country has turned into lifelong relationships spanning the globe, unparalleled research experience, and educational opportunities impossible to find elsewhere. Massey allowed me to connect and work with professors. In my free time, I worked with a particular professor, and we're now working to write up or even publish our research on acoustics in freshwater streams. This relationship from a single study abroad has become a connection that will extend into my scientific career. Classes enabled me to learn about New Zealand's natural and human history from within, spotting birds along the coast with professors as I learned to recognize species by sight and call, visiting the National Museum to learn about New Zealand's role in World War II and ANZAC, and studying early European settlers in the enormous New Zealand section of Massey's library before visiting the Settler's Museum on the South Island to see the settler's artifacts in person (during semester break). Moving beyond academics, living in Palmerston North provided the opportunity to experience New Zealand as a local, making friends with families from town, shopping at the weekly farmers market, going to PAK'nSAVE with your international and local flatmates, and biking along the Manawatu River. My months in New Zealand were spent exploring, learning, and eating feijoas. I wouldn't have it any other way.

New Zealand is on the other side of the globe, compared to the Netherlands. Many differences exist between the countries. The things I like most about NZ is the beautiful nature and the people. While travelling, I saw stunning nature of which I didn't even think it existed. It's like on those pictures of which you think they are edited with Photoshop, but it does exist... the Netherlands is quite boring compared to New Zealand, it is totally flat (yeah it's true) and trees are half the size or less. Furthermore, people in the Netherlands are always in a hurry. During my exchange I met many kiwi's who were eager to show me nice places or give information about it. While travelling I enjoyed being outside, hitchhiking, camping and tramping. I've had a great half year on the other side of the globe!

I took up the opportunity to travel and study at Massey as part of my degree I am completing in the UK, and I am so glad I did. Massey provides its students with the best teaching staff and facilities to match, the education and learning I gained cannot be faulted. I chose to live on campus and this is a great opportunity to make friends, the accommodation is also basically brand new so was a real treat. Make sure you chose your floor and hall wisely though as it can get noisy! Living on campus did come with some downfalls though, as there is many rules that apply (with reason), this was a slight shock coming from a rowdy agricultural university, need I say more.
New Zealand is a beautiful country and I totally recommend this program to anyone looking to travel this country alongside study.

While at Massey, I met so many amazing people. I wasn’t sure at first whether I wanted to go, but going was the best decision I ever made! I got to explore this beautiful country, also with the University Alpine Club (MUAC). I really learnt to be independent, being in a country so far away from everything you know. After my exchange, I even traveled alone for some time. I am so much more confident now, and I have this program to thank for that.

I loved my experience abroad at Massey, the environment was fun and the classes were mostly insightful. My only advice to future study abroad students considering the same path, would be to study abroad early in your college career! I found that being an older student in the final year of my study didn't quite fit in to Massey (At Wellington)'s structure and social environment. The classes were good, but workload and learning topics were not as I expected. My living situation with Massey Accommodation was heaps of fun but I would've liked to live in a more stable place with older students.

I have come to the Massey Manawatu Campus to do a student exchange from the UK. My time in NZ so far has been incredible!
It's been great studying here as I get to see my degree from a different angle - something I wouldn't have been able to do if I hadn't studied abroad. This has opened up my mind to an even wider job market which I could delve into.
The staff are also really supportive and help you fit in full time study commitments around full time travel adventures! There's so much to see in New Zealand and Palmerston North is a great base to which to see it all from.

Studying abroad at Massey was a decision I will cherish for the rest of my life. Everybody on this campus and in the surrounding community is so kind and genuine. This is perhaps one of the most rewards parts to me. It is a safe, medium-sized town that is perfect for uni. The housing here is good, but the heating is different in every residence hall. And personally, I chose a self-catered hall so that I could cook for myself, and keep to the type of diet I wanted.

As a communications major my classes are based on discussion more than assignments. With small class sizes, this means we get to know each other very quickly--perfect for a newcomer. It is in these discussions I have made many new Kiwi friends, and had too many hilarious conversations erupting out of the differences between our cultures.

Personally, coming to Massey meant the opportunity to create new friendships, that I would meet people I would have otherwise never crossed paths with. I have not been disappointed. From my advisor, to my professors, peers, mentors, coworkers, clubs, and friends, I have been surrounded by phenomenal new individuals. I have created life long friendships in a matter of months.

I have also had the chance to visit Wellington, New Plymouth, Taranaki, and Rotorua on weekend trips, as well as a 2 week long road trip up to Cape Reinga, the Bay of Islands, Coromandel, and Tauranga. I went on this two week trip in a camper van with people I had only known for 6 weeks, and now they are some of my closest friends! I plan to spend the rest of my travels in the South Island, seeing Able Tasman, Mt. Cook, Christchurch, Queenstown, and even flying over to Australia! New Zealand is such a beautiful, safe country, and if you plan it right, you should be able to see it all during your stay.

Massey University definitely has so much to offer! They have an exceptional Communications program with classes that are all transferable back to my home university! With that said, I've also taken the amazing opportunity to complete a Communications internship for credit during my time abroad as well! Massey has plenty of fun social clubs for everyone, and everyone around campus has been really friendly! All of my class sizes are fairly small, ranging from 8-25 students in my classes, which creates very close relationships with your peers and professors! This is my very first time studying abroad, and so far, I've gotten the chance to squeeze in trips to Auckland, New Plymouth, Napier, Queenstown, and Sydney! If you don't have a car, no worries! Intercity Bus, and The Naked Bus are your best methods of traveling for cheap prices! New Zealand has a ton of beautiful scenery, and it's an amazing opportunity to immerse yourself into learning more about the Maori culture as well! Massey is a very big international school, so you'll definitely be meeting students from all around the world! If you study abroad or take part in a student exchange at Massey, you won't regret it! Best of luck to everyone!