Study Abroad at Massey University

I liked Massey University. Given that New Zealand is small, it’s a big school. The actual management was not good. It was extremely difficult to sign up for classes because they did not help. I liked the community but the school was not great. Be prepared to be stressed for awhile if you’re going to attend. Aside from management, the community was great. They are all very welcoming and they have fun residence hall games. The program allowed me to join clubs and experience life in New Zealand. I recommend joining the alpine club as it’s a good way to explore the nature within this gorgeous country.

International students are welcomed by Massey University. The registry process is smoothful and the classes are interactive and interesting. Preparations for final exams are not stressful at all. Massey University has a very nice library because it is warm and clean at any time. I studied 4 courses from different fields in Massey University and all the professors and course coordinators are kind and friendly. Students feel free to express ideas and ask questions. After class, professors and students communicate by e-mails. The reply letter is within 24 hours for sure. Besides both distance and internal students can start and doscuss a topic in the forums of courses in StreamSite System of Massey University. Massey studetns also have a MasseyUniv App. Students can check the class timetable, campus map and incoming activities. That's convenient.

For me studying abroad was always a dream of mine and I was always tied to going to New Zealand. I didn’t put a lot of effort into finding a school here other than what my home university offered and what classes were offered here. I think I got very lucky with Massey University - Albany. I didn’t realize how small the school was, but I was pleasantly surprised at how nice it was to have a small school while studying abroad. It allows you to meet new people and actually see them again throughout campus. I ended up taking third year courses here which offered up another unique experience for me given most people studying abroad take easy classes and that the people in my classes all knew each other from other classes they were in together. So I had a more challenging time academically adjusting to the new teaching styles as well as finding people to talk to, but all of the teachers were super helpful. The location offered up so many opportunities to get and and do things! The campus is only a 45 minute bus ride into Auckland which offers so many different things to do and there is also a mall right across from campus which made shopping easy. The accommodations are what is to be expected for college dorms, but they make sure you have all the support needed. The food was a little disappointing, but there are lots of other options around. All in all my experience here was one I’ll never forget and I made life long friends here. I made sure to get out and explore NZ as much as possible and I honestly wish I could’ve stayed longer.

Studying at this school was nothing like how I expected. I should have done more research before going to a school like this. It was very small, with few helpful support staff, and absolutely nothing to do in a 45 minute radius. It also had classes that were extremely underwhelming in respect to how challenging they were. I was only in class 6 hours a week, and became very bored very quickly with the great lack of things to do in Palmy. They also allowed 2 weeks for fall break, and 3 weeks for finals, which seemed like a waste of time to me personally. I wish I had chosen to study in Europe, or at least a university with more things to do than just to leave campus and travel elsewhere. There is also very little history and culture in Palmy, at least to someone coming from a hometown established in the 1630s. This university would appeal to people who enjoy a small-town scene, drinking and hiking; none of which I am fond of.

Hey guys I'm Norbert. I spent one exchange year at Massey University in 2018/19. One of my best year of my life. The university was very good and kind I felt they were welcoming me and they are as happy as me to host me for one year. The staff was professional and helpful, every classes were good and interesting. During lab works they taught us new useful informations. I studied marine ecology as part of my degree and it was bloody good. If you wanna learn about whales and dolphins this is the place to go. Marine ecology is also very good and modules such as quantitative marine ecology helps you avoid flipping burgers and do all the cool sh*t that marine biology can offer you. Overall uni life is really good, night life not so. There is a bar/club on campus but come on I'm from Eastern Europe that's party not what New Zealand has haha. On the other hand outdoor adventures are absolutely amazing. You can literally do anything here. Catching huge monster fish from Auckland harbour or climbing active volcanos in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand can offer you anything. With this exchange year and the 3 months long summer break you have plenty of time to explore and enjoy NZ. The university is very close to east coast and about an hour from west coast with world famous surf. I learned surfing there and loved every second of it. If you thinking to take an exchange somewhere consider Massey because its amazing
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To study abroad in New Zealand was something I had never considered be it that it’s on the complete other side of the world from home. However, it turned out to be the best unplanned decision of my life. New Zealand is the country that I grew to fall in love with. It felt more like home than home itself. I felt so welcomed and accepted into the New Zealand community. To future participants my advice would be to just step out of your comfort zone and grab the invaluable experience of a lifetime. Enjoy the beautiful wonders New Zealand has to offer whilst gaining a top class educational experience at Massey. The teaching staff have a genuine desire to help students thrive and reach to the upmost limits of each individual student’s ability. I had never sought to travel and explore the world before this program, but I now certainly do have the travel bug bad... Infact, I am writing this review whilst on the plane to South East Asia. I'm humbled to have been fortunate enough to experience all that I did, and I encourage all future participants to take the opportunity, get on the plane and go!

New Zealand is an awesome place to be!
People may rag on Palmerston North alot, and I'll admit its not a place you'd have any reason to visit, but it's actually a wonderful place to live! There is far more programming available for international students here to get out and explore the country than there is at Massey's Auckland/Albany Campus as well. And because of its location, Palmy is within easy access of both Wellington and the mountains.
Speaking of which, exploring the country, especially the South Island, simply MUST be done while you are here. If you're not the outdoorsy type, though, this might not be the country for you. Outdoors activities whether its tramping/hiking, skiing, mountain biking, or more niche like jetboating, bungee jumping, skidiving, whitewater rafting, heli-hiking, etc. are HUGE here. Be forewarned though, New Zealand is EXPENSIVE, so SAVE UP before coming here, as in, several thousand dollars more than you think you'll need. Also, Auckland and Queenstown are both overrated - I'm just sayin.

As for Massey itself, its OK. I was here on a bilateral exchange program so I only pay my home university's tuition to be here which is nice, but some more programming for internationals, and especially exchange/study abroad students would be appreciated.
For accommodation though, I cannot recommend the homestay program here highly enough. You basically get all the comforts of home, including home cooked meals and included utilities, for a rate which is quite reasonable compared to the cost of dorms/halls.

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.