Program Reviews

The study abroad and exchange program at AUT gives you the opportunity to meet fellow students from all over the world, they encourage you to travel around the beautiful nature of New Zealand and they offer possibilities to meet natives and get a glimpse of the Maori culture! Just before the semester they created a facebook group with all international students who were about to come over to AUT and because of this I already met a great group of people on my second day overseas. Your family might be on the other side of the world but in no time we created a big new international family for the semester! For me it wasn't only the city itself but mostly the people I met who made my semester this great.
I saw a lot of the country as you generally have plenty of time to travel around, either in the semester break, the weeks before the semester actually started and sometimes a weekend trip in between. New Zealand is such a diverse country in terms of nature!
Overall, I felt really welcome everywhere in the city and in the university: everywhere on campus people we're willing to help you out if you had any problems. Every Thursday the city campus hosted small performances, gatherings of clubs and free lunch, it brought people together and on sunny days it provided really good vibes!

When I first travelled to New Zealand I was terified that I would end up alone in my apartment, and fail all my classes, because I travelled alone. What happened was something quite different. I was put in an apartment, with the best flatmates a girl could've asked for. With My flatmates i've explored New Zealand and Auckland, and had the time of my life. The dorms are a good place to find friends, and they also arrange lots of activities during the semester.
Only negative thing about living in dorms is the paper thin walls, but you get used to it, and you get to know your flatmates quite well after a few months.

I study electrical engineering back home, and I would rather continue atudying at AUT than going back home if I had the oportunity. I really like the way they teach at AUT, it's more practical than what I'm used to, but I feel like that is a better aproach in my course. Also, the lectures is actually quite good at what they're doing, and seem like they enjoy what they teach, which makes the lectures more interesting for the students.

I would absolutely go back to AUT if I have the chance later in life!

I study Economics and Business Administration at my home university. Coming from a designated business school, where everything you do is focused around revenues, profit, and competing against other businesses, joining a university where all most students have different educational backgrounds was a pleasant surprise. The different perspectives this give to discussions and assignment etc. was wonderful. Truth be told I was a bit disappointed of how easy my papers was in the beginning of the semester. After a slow start the papers became more challenging and comparable to with what I'm used to. The lectures came up with understandable examples from their careers and made sure to bring a perspective of how things are done in reality during every lecture.
Bonus info: the kiwis are extremely friendly and helpful when you arrive alone at AUT for the first time.

10/10 would come back.

AUT is really been a nice place to study and i would recommend it to everyone. From the international staff to the teachers they really help you and want the best for you.

Besides that New Zealand is an amazing country, and i wouldn't have missed this for anything else. I've seen so many things, from the tip to the south, there are so many beautiful places which can only be found here.
I've also met so many new people it is almost unrealistic, I'm sure they are gonna stick around forever.

Well, when going to New Zealand I actually couldn't get further away, I'm from the Denmark, a little country in the north of europe - the capital of Scandinavia.
AUT made me feel very welcome and this place has begun a second home for me. AUT and its staff does a great deal to make you feel welcome and part of something bigger with great socialization possibilities and adventuring events.

I took 4 courses here, one of them was International Noho Marae, which I would highly recommned to thoes who are much social and cultural interested. You will get an ekstra family through that course, that shouts from the cornfields of Denmark all the way to the great mountain of New Zealand, shouting recognition for your ancestors and your family, caring the Maori spirit of well-being to all whanau, for life. Family4life.

Whanau4Life.

AUT was the best choice of my life so far !
The papers were great and I got a lot of support from my lecturers since most of them also worked in the film industry.
I always wanted to work creatively and AUT was the right place where I could learn new skills and experiment with 3D software.
In fac,t I am planning to do a master's degree soon.
The campus itself has everything: from a gym to a bar and it is extremely modern. In the beginning, it might be a bit overwhelming when coming from a small town but the staff is always happy to help out.
New Zealand itself is a wonderful place to visit - and in my case to live.
It is hard to describe especially the nature so the best way to get an idea about NZ is to get there. The people are so friendly and welcoming so my family grew a lot during my time there and I really miss them all.
What Auckland has to improve though is the housing situation.
For short term students the student apartments might be ok but for a longer perspective, I really recommend looking for private flatting on facebook.
Nevertheless, I count the days to come back…

Coming to New Zealand through AUT has been a really good experience. The university is very new and modern and it's easy to see why so many international (and domestic) students chose AUT. For me, is has been very different from what I am used to, but in a good way. I mean, you don't travel as far away as you can get to experience the exact same things as you will find in your hometown. When I'm writing this I still have another semester to do in AUT, and I couldn't be more happy about it.

In AUT you have lots of papers to choose from and many of them are very interesting. If you want to study international business like I do, AUT is a great choice. Here you will meet students and lecturers from all over the world, each one with their own story to tell.

Auckland is a great city. A bit windy and with the most unpredictable weather, but so so great. There is always something happening. You won't be bored and there will be many stories to tell when you get home. Another great thing about Auckland for those who love to travel: It's only a 3-hour flight away from Australia or Fiji.

After spending 5 years in Auckland, I can say with hand on my heart this is my second home. My journey started at AUT and I credit a lot of my love towards New Zealand to my 3 years at the University. The reason I say this is because traveling to a different country all by yourself can be scary in many ways, but not once did I feel alone or that I wasn't looked after. AUT offers a lot of services both in terms of your academic life and social life. Any questions and challenge can and will be solved, and that is an invaluable "safety net" to have.

I took a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation at AUT, and was very happy with the overall variety in the papers we could choose from. The lectures were professional and educational, and included practical work as well as good old lecturing. During the last year we got a chance to test our knowledge through a cooperative education paper - spending a whole year out in the real world, working in the chosen field. This was the highlight of the program for me and without a doubt where I learnt the most.

Although I came to New Zealand to study and was prepared to go back home after completing my Bachelor's degree, the love for this beautiful country and its people had me stay a further two years. I now feel like I have a second home and family on the complete opposite side of the world and I am incredibly thankful for that. Can't wait to come back for a visit!

AUT is an amazing university! There are a lot of events for international students and when I was studying they had nice bus trips on saturday that are free for students (except some small fees).

The University has a lot of different programms and they have a special weekend for international students on the beginning of the semester. The Noho Marea (Maori cultural weekend), where you make a lot of new friends and Whanau (family).

Even long after you leave New-Zealand you will have great memories. But the best of it all is that it never ends, in Europe we have a reunion of AUT alumni ever year which you can attend. The base of this is the Noho Marea experience. Each year it will be held in a different country.

Travelling in New-Zealand in youre freetime is awesome! You will see the best views and have a great time exploring the country and it's outdoor activities!

I would highly recommend AUT to everybody, because I believe that this university suits any individuals' needs.

Going on exchange is something I would recommend to everyone, no matter what. Moving to New Zealand, living on the other side of the world and studying at AUT is one of the best choices I have ever made! This country has everything. Deep fjords, high mountains, geothermal areas and beautiful beaches, not to mention all the nice and caring people living there.

AUT is an amazing school; they know how to welcome international students and how to adapt the lectures for non-English speaking students. It was also arranged different types of events for international students to meet up and get to know each other.

Many students may look at New Zealand as too far away, but the experience you get is so unique and definitely worth it! I fell in love with this place, and even though I live on the other side of the world – I will be back!