A Leap Around the World!

Ratings
Overall
5
Academics: 4
Support: 4
Fun: 5
Housing: 5
Safety: 5
Review

I am currently studying at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. I've been abroad since early February and I get back late June, so I will have spent the semester (5 months) abroad.

My experience abroad has been an amazing one, I've met the best people and instantly found friends that I hope to know for life. I've had the opportunity to take unique classes and travel all around the South Island of New Zealand. Over a three-week mid semester break I road-tripped, camped, and even traveled to Australia! On these trips I got to hike mountains, visit wineries, swim in the ocean, snorkel with hundreds of fish, pet kangaroos, hold koalas, paddle board and explore all things outdoors! New Zealand culture is laid back and always down for an adventure!

While abroad I have had the most amazing experience, through getting out of my comfort zone I have received opportunities to grow in ways I hadn’t realized I could. Immersing myself in a new way of life and getting to meet people from all around the world has been an incredible journey and something that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Traveling half way around the world to New Zealand was one of the best decisions that I have made and if I were to do it again I wouldn’t change a thing. Everyone should study abroad, it connects you to the rest of the world in a completely new way. Being here has given me new life perspectives and has changed the way I see the world, allowing me to make life long friendships with people that feel like family- people I would have never known had I not taken this amazing opportunity to see the world.

Would you recommend this program?
Yes, I would
Year Completed
2018
Private Note to Provider (optional)
I would have loved the process of getting everything set up for me to go abroad to have been much less complicated. It was difficult partially due to my home university and a change in administration within the study abroad office, but it was an extremely complicated process, as I first had to do things through my university in Missouri, then Montana State University (who is the sponsor for this specific trip through CCIS), THEN the University of Canterbury itself. Very stressful and could be improved through clearer communication between the student and all universities involved.
Media
Photos