Arcadia University- University of Auckland

The experience was great. The staff have been very lovely and supportive. I have enjoyed the activities they've planned for us and I would recommend this program to anyone who would like to study abroad. The University of Auckland is the opposite of my home school in the US and it gave me the opportunity to become more independent and adaptable. The courses were rigorous and demanded a lot of work which allowed me to work more on understanding my preferred way of learning and studying.

ARCADIA:
Awesome program! Very thorough orientation and the transition into my semester abroad went smoothly. The Directors and Student Support Coordinators answered ALL my questions and were very helpful/accessible throughout the entire semester. We went on many excursions together too: geothermal parks, black water rafting through glow worm caves, surf lessons, a re-created indigenous Maori village, Zorbing, an All Blacks rugby game, and more! I had lots of fun and bonded well with my fellow Arcadians on these weekend trips. Not only that, but Arcadia coordinated my accommodation and placed my entire program in Carlaw Park Student Village. Carlaw is located in a great neighborhood and is just a 10 minute walk from campus. I have to say that it has the most facilities and was the cleanest student accommodation I have ever stayed in.

My experience was unique because I took a Pacific Studies course as well as a Islam in the Contemporary World course... topics I could not have taken in my home university. By the end of the semester, I felt that I had gained a rich cross-cultural learning, where I definitely had to engage in cultural humility and self-reflection, while confronting and reconsidering my preconceptions. With courses that foster critical thinking as well as the most beautiful natural landscapes/views I have ever seen, studying abroad in New Zealand at the University of Auckland was truly a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I'm glad I did not pass up on!

The living situation was perfect, living in Carlaw, a student apartment complex everything you needed was provided for and everyone was so friendly. The location of Auckland is perfect to allow you to travel through out the whole country. And the Arcadia staff was FANTASTIC! Could not ask for better advisors.