Hosted by Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

Study Abroad at AUT University in New Zealand

Name: Study Abroad at AUT University in New Zealand
Brand: Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
SKU: 51001
Rating: 4.77 (231 reviews)

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4.77 Rating

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Location

New Zealand
- Auckland

Term

Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer

Subject Areas

Accounting Architecture Arts Business Communications Computer Science Creative Writing Culinary Arts Cultural Studies Design Education Engineering Finance Global Studies Health Sciences Hospitality International Business Law Life Sciences Linguistics Māori Studies Marketing Mathematics Media Relations Nursing Performing Arts Philosophy Physical Therapy Psychology Social Sciences Sports Science Tourism Visual Arts +23

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Program Details

Program Type

Direct Enrollment

Degree Level

Bachelors

Housing

Apartment

Language

English

Last Updated: Dec 23, 2019

Last Reviewed: Oct 03, 2019

Wish List

73 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

AUT University is the second largest University in New Zealand and is among the fastest growing. 4,000 international students from 85+ countries flock to campus each year and there are three unique campuses all within Auckland. AUT is accredited by the New Zealand government and offers personal and interactive classroom settings. AUT also boasts the highest graduate employment rate out of all the universities in New Zealand. Come check it out for yourself!

AUT accepts international students twice per year: in February and July. You may apply as a College Freshman, but at the time of application, you must have a high school diploma and a 1500 SAT score. Alternatively, Sophomores and above are welcome to apply for an exchange.

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Program Reviews

4.77 Rating

based on 231 reviews

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Rating Spread Study

5 rating 78.79%
4 rating 19.91%
3 rating 1.3%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Academics 3.8
Support 4.5
Fun 4.1
Housing 4.5
Safety 4.85

Good for Adventure travelers, Solo Travelers, Photographers

Showing 169 - 176 of 231 reviews

Most important is that the AUT is very supportive of exchange students. The help students do well in there classes but also encourage students to travel and see New Zealand. They are also very concerned with having all the international students to get together and create bonds. This was very successful, i have made so many close friends that i would consider them all my New Zealand family. This also helped with coping with being so far away from home. The classes here are different enough from my home uni that I gained so much knowledge that i will be able to apply later in life as well as my schooling back home. I had a wonderful experience and will be very sad for it to end.

What would you improve about this program?

The spatial design program can be more realistic and prepare students for more real world issues. Not enough of a technical aspect when doing design projects.

Coming to New Zealand was a long journey from Canada although, I am glad to say that I can call this place my home. The country is incredibly beautiful, weekends were always spent exploring the islands. Safe to say you couldn't get bored here because there is always something to go see!

I highly suggest anyone coming to study in Auckland explore the South Island as it is a great reflection of what New Zealand is all about. Lots of hikes, two lane roads that weave through mountains and the most beautiful scenic sites surrounding you everywhere you go!

I really enjoyed all of my art & design classes at AUT. The professors were really approachable and helpful with any questions or inquires about the projects. The AUT city campus is beautiful and really close to the centre of Auckland, parks, the residence and much more.

Living on residence was extremely fun because it was conveniently close to the campus and other international students. The downfall were the loud sounds from cars/buses from the main street adjacent to the building and the occasional loud people coming home from a night out. Other then that, I had a great time living on residence for the first time!

I've also met a lot of amazing people along the way, the majority all being international students who I can call my friends. This experience was incredible to do with them and definitely one I will not forget.

I am really happy that I was able to live and study in New Zealand. Overall, Auckland is a very walkable city and AUT was a great place to spend my exchange semester. Time fly by fast and if I could, I would do the whole experience all over again!

What would you improve about this program?

New Zealand needs to improve their bank situation for exchange students, the strict rules didn't allow us to open up bank accounts except for ASB.

& WSA felt like we were under strict regulations sometimes so i'd suggest readjusting security's access rules and social gathering rules.

AUT has a great location, well designed facilities, and nice staff. My hospitality classes have been pretty small and I feel like I am able to get to know people that are in my classes. People are very nice and always trying to learn more about you.

I think that it would have been nice to live on campus to see what life here is really like. The city campus and classes here remind me of studying back at home.

What would you improve about this program?

I liked the Facebook page a lot. It was nice that there were a lot of events that we could go to. However, I didn't live on campus and feel that maybe if I had, I would have felt more connected with the group.

This exchange in New Zealand is doubtlessly one of the best experiences of my life! You're able to get in touch with many internationals students here, all willing like you to discover one of the most beautiful places on Earth! Studying in AUT has also been really nice, thanks to the commitment of its staff and academic teams who are always willing to help you. Auckland is an awesome place to be and I would definitely advise everyone to pass by!

AUT is a beautiful school centrally located in a beautiful city. Auckland is a great base for your time in New Zealand because it is so easy to access transportation out of the city form here. Definitely loved my semesters here in NZ

What would you improve about this program?

When registering for classes I wasn't aware I picked a block class that only lasted 3 weeks for the semester. I wish I could've had a longer experience in classes and meeting other students

Studying in New Zealand has been an amazing experience. It has made me be more independent and accountable for myself, while also giving me the amazing opportunity to travel around this beautiful country with friends from around the world.

When I think about how my study abroad semester is at AUT it's just awesome! Firstly, the university is pretty good and the professors are super nice and are really willing to interact with the students. Besides this, the faculty is pretty modern. The variety in papers and degrees is huge and that they have different campus all around Auckland is nice because you see a lot of the town.
New Zealand is beautiful and I have never seen a more beautiful landscape before in my life. You have so many opportunities to travel and just experience the Maori culture.

I could recommend to all people, go to AKL and study at AUT. Study, travel and just enjoy your time here!

Best decision ever :-).

What would you improve about this program?

I would only improve that they have not so strict rules at their student accommodation.

Besides this they could provide a deal with a bank. So that you can have the option for getting a bank account for free etc.

You'll get in touch with people from all over the world, which is great. I really enjoyed that!
Although Auckland itself gets boring after a couple of weeks, it is surrounded by some awesome landscapes. Rent a car and discover the country!

What would you improve about this program?

More international student parties :)

Questions & Answers

How is the weather in the fall term?

Hi there, our February to June semester is during the end of summer to end of Fall. This is the best time to experience New Zealand's warm weather and beaches. Our July to November semester is from the start of Winter until the end of Spring, so starts a little colder and warms up nicely. Auckland experiences very mild weather so never gets too cold or too hot.

By AUT University on June 21, 2019

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose to go to New Zealand on exchange with my home college because I have heard amazing feedback from students who went before me. New Zealand is also an interesting case study when it comes to environmental management. The country has a lot of beautiful, conserved land, but composting is not very present; just being in another country for a few months enables me to see what actions are being taken elsewhere.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Since my program was through an exchange between Champlain College and AUT, the initial process was fairly simple for me. I still had to apply for the exchange to both schools, but Champlain dealt with the tuition payment and classes to take. This will make transferring my credits back home much easier as well.

Outside of these aspects, I was largely on my own for my visa, transportation, phone plan, housing, and various travel. This was not very difficult for me, as I have traveled quite a bit in the past, but it is a lot to think about; that being said, if you are reading this and feeling nervous about any of these, reach out to someone who can help guide you!

View Entire Interview

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I wish that I had known that the whole ordeal would not be as scary as I was anticipating. This may differ for other people, but, with good planning, the process was not as anxiety-provoking as I thought it would be.

I also wish that, before I left the US for my semester abroad, I had researched more about where I wanted to go in New Zealand while I was here. I love going into travel with open options so I can discover as I go, but I was left wishing I went to the 90-mile beach when it was still warm out. Create a little bucket list before you leave!

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Because my visa doesn't allow me to work here, my schedule is very open compared to back in the US. I only have four courses for the semester, and any other events I participate in have been voluntary. I have found that this free time has been valuable for me to pursue personal projects and goals outside of my college education. I started going to the gym, reading more books, and working on creative projects.

As for the weekends, a lot of my friends and I often have three-day weekends, so we have been able to take little weekend trips around the North Island.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was that I would feel out of place or uncomfortable in the big city of Auckland, New Zealand. I grew up in a town of less than 1,000 people and go to college in a city of around 60,000; Auckland has a population of 1.5 MILLION people, and that made me wary. However, the city is beautiful and very welcoming. The key is being open for a change and looking for a place that, even if it pushes you outside of your 'normal,' can accommodate what you seek.

Were there any experiences that pushed you out of your comfort zone?

No matter whether you go overseas or not, there will always be instances of something pushing you out of your comfort zone, but living abroad for a few months really brings new experiences I couldn't have imagined. Personally, I am a pretty bad swimmer, but I swam in the ocean with wild dolphins and fur seals.

For some people, this doesn't sound daunting, but I was incredibly nervous. After doing these activities, I can confidently say that pushing myself was well worth it. I learned so much during it, both about myself and about the places and animals I was around. If I hadn't studied in New Zealand for the semester, I don't think I would have progressed like I did.

Nina Eydenkaldt

Michelle Garvey

Jan-Willem Aarents

Alyssa Jeffer

2014 Alum

Jessica Cohen

Shannon Yska

Merel Jansen

2015 Alum

Henriette Andrea Hansen

Alexander Boehmer

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Sam previously worked at AUT and is now completing his Masters in Norway. The international education adventure has not stopped for him!

What is your favorite travel memory?

Seeing an old friend in London after a rough day of travel!

I had started the day with a 3:30 am flight from Bergen getting into Manchester later in the morning for an event starting at 12. It ran until the late afternoon, at which point we had to quickly pack up and catch a taxi to the train station. We were crammed into a packed train to London. With my over-sized luggage in tow, I then had to navigate the Tube to find my hotel. My phone was dead by this time, I was relying on passers-by for directions. I eventually got there to find an old friend waiting for me. I was exhausted at this point, but there was no greater feeling than sharing a beer with a mate after a long, long day!

View Entire Interview

Which destination is most underrated? Conversely, which is most overrated?

Estonia in my opinion is a country that more people should visit! Just a ferry ride from Helsinki, Tallinn is a beautiful city, with a lot to see and do. The cost of living is quite low, so a beer and meal won't set you back much. If you get out of Tallinn, you really should visit some of the islands, like Saaremaa. A magical place, filled with natural beauty and history.

On the other hand, Amsterdam was not that amazing in my opinion. Far too many tourists for my liking!

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

For me, it's how we engage with our stakeholders. In my role, the most important are the students and partner universities. Students have lots of questions before they arrive, and then need a welcoming introduction once they get here. If we can give them a good experience, they will tell their friends and family back home. Word of mouth is a great way to encourage more students to choose AUT when they study abroad.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

When I started at AUT, I really had no idea about the scope of International Education. I've learned how vast this industry is, and how exciting it is to work in. Before starting in this role, I would never have seen myself working in this industry. But I can now see a career path for myself, in an area which I'm passionate about. The most rewarding aspect for me is seeing international students coming to study in New Zealand, and the positive experiences and impressions they leave with.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

We had a German design student who planned to come for one semester last year, who ended up staying for the whole year because he loved AUT and Auckland so much. He is now planning to finish his studies in Germany and return to AUT for postgraduate study, with hopes of landing a job at Weta Workshop in Wellington.

Shivani Rajan

International Programmes Coordinator

Monique van Veen

International Relationships Manager

Kenneth Holt

International Programs Manager

Location

Location:

Auckland

Currency:

New Zealand Dollar

Weather:

Jan-Mar

75 F / 46 F

Apr-Jun

68 F / 30 F

Jul-Sep

61 F / 28 F

Oct-Dec

72 F / 41 F

Airports:

Auckland International

( AKL )

Christchurch International

( CHC )

Wellington International

( WLG )

Auckland, the City of Sails, has it all — from oceans to volcanoes to city life. Though Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, the city center packs a lot into a small space. Whether you crave outdoor adventures or want to go for some fantastic food and shopping downtown, Auckland is both urban and packed with nature.

Featuring influences of the native Maori culture, Auckland is also the most multicultural city in the country, offering a variety of traditions and cuisine. With three national universities located in the city — University of Auckland, Massey University, and AUT University — Auckland is also a student-friendly city and a popular study abroad destination.

About Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

AUT is the second largest university in New Zealand. We have been a university since 2000, but a place of learning for 120 years and operate in accordance with the Education Act (1989). In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021, AUT is ranked in the 251-300 band. We are the third highest ranked university in New Zealand. AUT is...

Program Details

Alumni Interviews

Holly Francis

Why did you choose this program?

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

Were there any experiences that pushed you out of your comfort zone?

Staff Interviews

Samuel Davis

What is your favorite travel memory?

Which destination is most underrated? Conversely, which is most overrated?

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?