Study Abroad at AUT University in New Zealand

I had an awesome time at AUT during the fall semester. I found the classes to be a bit easier than I expected, and I had incredible experiences. There are so many things to do right outside of Auckland, and there is always something going on in the city! I met many friends that I will keep for life, and really hope to visit New Zealand again some day! I would suggest this program to anyone looking for the ultimate adventure, hospitable people, and a fun environment!

Coming to New Zealand was the biggest adventure that I have taken thus far and what a perfect first adventure to have. I've traveled all over the North and South islands and have seen sights that others only dream to see. From being a small town girl born in Vermont, USA, to traveling alone around a brand new country, there was never any time where I ever felt unsafe. The people are beyond friendly and welcoming and I instantly felt right at home. The best advice that I can give anyone planning on traveling to New Zealand for a study abroad program is travel as much as you can, there are always affordable options to get around and see all that this beautiful country has to offer. Places that must be included in your time abroad include Queenstown and Arrowtown on the South Island as well as Raglan, The Coromandel , Cape Reinga and Waiheke Island all located on the North Island.

At AUT the professors are helpful and always open to suggestions or discussions. They also take their time for you, if you have problems. Most surprised me that some of them new even my name after two weeks. At my home university most professors would know my face, but probably not my name. The level of the courses is in my case quite different, but overall it is at a good level not too hard and not to easy.
Furthermore, it is quite easy to come into contact with my fellow students, who are Kiwis. They are all friendly and helpful. Especially the ASE (AUT Students Engineering society) are great people.
Another point I want to mention is that AUT organises a lot of events for students via GOTTOGETOUT and other stuff, like the Orientation week, which makes it easy to have a good start, when arriving here. Kenneth Holt, which was my contact before comming here, is also very helpful to organise your program.
The only thing I need to criticise, are the student accommodations. It is great to live with all the other students and WSA makes a lot of activities for students to come together. But considering what we pay for a room, stuff like the elevators should work. When I moved in, our apartment was dirty as well as my room. The laundry in WSA is not useful, if you have dirt on your stuff. It removes the smell, but not the dirt from hiking and other activities.

On the whole, I would recommend to study abroad at AUT.

My experience at AUT has been utterly fantastic. From the very first time I arrived and I was amazed at how the buildings looked in the city. My first experience was OWeek where AUT volunteers were really friendly and gave great information about the campus. I also got to stay at the WSA apartments. That is where I met people from all over the world. Exchange students to local Kiwis. I was amazed at how friendly everyone was and how willing they were for adventure. I met a really great group of friends stretching across Europe and North America. We all bonded over our love for New Zealand and our sense of adventure. During the week we stayed in Auckland and got to explore the beautiful places around such as Waiheke, Piha Beach, Mission Bay. Then on weekends, we got to see the wonderful places of New Zealand like the Coromandel, Cape Reigna, Bay of Islands. AUT gave me the chance to explore this wonderful country and meet great people along the way.

I wanted to travel in New Zealand for a few years and there is a partnership between my engineering school and AUT so I decided directly to come in Auckland for 6 months for my studies. Furthermore New Zealand has a great reputation in terms of ecology consequently for me it was perfect.

I traveled around New Zealand with my flat mates. Firstly we spent a few days in Coromandel, Rotorua and the North of the North island. During the mid break of two weeks we did a road trip of 10 days in the South Island and it was absolutely crazy : wonderful landscapes, penguins, sea lions, seals...

The lessons were very interesting in AUT and the teachers were very friendly. I recommend this university.

Though, I was hesitant to study abroad at first, I am beyond happy I made the decision study at AUT. Studying here at AUT was a life changing experience for me. I have met so many amazing people and made friendships that I know will last a lifetime. Accepting and including everyone is an important part of AUT. Just from walking around campus I can experience aspects of New Zealand's Māori culture. I even participated in Auckland's Pride Parade with AUT, which was definitely a highlight during my study abroad experience. Even though Auckland is over 8,000 miles away from home, it sure does feel like home to me now. Essentially, choosing to study at AUT was one of the best decisions I have made and for those who are contemplating whether to study at AUT or not, I would say 100% do it. It will be a decision you will never regret!

Studying abroad in Auckland, New Zealand was one of the best choices I have ever made. The country is extremely different from where I reside and I love it because I got to experience a new culture, diversity and overall the greatest views I’ve ever seen. If I could do it again, I would. Getting out of your comfort zone to experience this amazing country will never be a regret even though at times I did want to go home. Thank you New Zealand for this unforgettable experience.

I'm studying environmental and energy engineering in France and travelling to New-Zealand has always been a dream for me. When I realised that we had an exchange program with AUT, I immediately jumped in and am absolutely not disappointed.

My first impressions were extremely positive: the availability and kindness of Kenneth Holt, the warm welcome at WSA (the student apartments), and the extraordinary exotic beauty of the country. I would definitely recommend as they are very near to the campus, and public transports is a bit of a mess in Auckland, and you are just in front of the wonderful Domain Park. My classes were mostly very interesting, even though it had been difficult to pick up the good level for each of them. The teachers were extremely friendly, and the assignments interesting and well-made. Some lessons are more interactive than others, like everywhere, but there are always some practical applications, which is great.

The timetable is not too filled, so I had the opportunity to discover New Zealand further: we went to the North of the North Island before the lesson started, in Coromandel and Rotorua for Eastern and experienced the marvels of the South Island during our mid-Semester break. Coming for the first Semester is really funny for an European, as the Summer surprises a bit when arriving, but I think it is definitely the best period to discover New Zealand.

Overall, it was an extraordinary experience to study at AUT, and I don't regret any bit of it!