Study Abroad at the University of Auckland, NZ

Spending a semester at the University of Auckland has been one of the most rewarding and eye-opening experiences of my academic journey. From immersing myself in a completely different educational environment to engaging with the rich cultural fabric of Aotearoa (New Zealand), the exchange has been both personally and academically transformative.

One of the standout aspects of this exchange has been the cultural exposure. I had the unique opportunity to participate in an overnight stay at a marae a traditional Māori meeting place where I watched a haka, learned Māori songs and dances, and began to understand how deeply Māori traditions are woven into everyday life. Simple greetings like kia ora (hello) and ngā mihi (kind regards) are spoken everywhere, reinforcing how inclusive and culturally grounded the environment is.

Outside the classroom, I pushed myself beyond my comfort zone by joining various clubs and events including the horticulture club, which I joined on a whim and ended up thoroughly enjoying. I met people from all over the world and gained confidence by actively engaging in new spaces and perspectives.

The academic culture at the University of Auckland is notably more relaxed and student-centered than what I’m used to back home in Hong Kong. The teaching style encourages open dialogue, and I was pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of creative electives available. Compared to the more rigid, exam-heavy structure I’m used to, this felt refreshingly flexible and engaging.

This exchange wasn’t just about studying abroad, it was about learning to adapt, connect, and grow in a new environment. From the academic challenges to cultural discoveries and meaningful friendships, my time in New Zealand has been incredibly impactful. I’d highly recommend the University of Auckland to anyone considering an exchange in a place that values diversity, learning, and balance.

My time at University of Auckland in New Zealand was life-changing and an amazing time. Academics were not the most challenging or intellectually stimulating, but on the bright side, that left me plenty of time to explore. New Zealand is stunning and not an overwhelming country to visit, making it a perfect abroad experience for stunning vistas, while maintaining a good life balance. Additionally, it is a great place to be if you're a huge fan of fantasy, not only was Lord of the Rings filmed here, but it looks like a fantasy world.

Studying abroad at the University of Auckland has been an incredible experience. I’ve felt safe, supported, and inspired since day one. This opportunity has given me a richer, more exciting lifestyle than I ever had at home. It’s challenged me to meet new people, step outside my comfort zone, and try things I never thought I would. From breathtaking nature to a vibrant campus life, every day brings something new. If you’re feeling hesitant—take the leap. Studying abroad will push you to grow, give you lifelong memories, and open your mind in ways you can’t imagine. You won’t be disappointed.

Auckland is a wonderful place, and as one of the most populous cities in NZ you would think that it would be super bustling -- but in reality nature is always just a park away, and they are absolutely breathtaking. The amenities they offer are amazing. Hiwa Recreation Centre is one of the biggest and most advanced gyms in the Southern Hemisphere, and if you live in certain student accommodation you get access for free. The campus is only about a 15-minute walk away from CBD, which makes meeting people for a cup of coffee super easy. The campus facilities are beautiful and modern, with places like the Clock Tower also having that historic, Gothic architecture feel. Learning about Māori culture and the preservation of these histories all throughout the campus and city was also very fun -- they offer multiple courses that allow you to experience it firsthand, such as Māori and Pacific Studies! I ended up taking PACIFIC100 and it was amazing to learn about different facets of Pacific culture, which I never got the chance to in Hong Kong.

UOA was the perfect place to meet people, and with the amount of societies and clubs they offer you could never ever miss anything fun going on! That and the kindness of people always made every space feel like home. Despite being a city, it felt more slow-paced than your usual city -- and as someone from Hong Kong, I forgot how refreshing it was to take in the sights, observe nature and to relish in my relationships with people.

The university of Auckland is very welcoming for exchange students with a lot of clubs and social events and a huge international community. There are not too many classes per week so you are free to organise your time between study and travel as you wish. The accomodation was a very good way to meet people and the campus had very cool spots to hang out (especially the Recreation Center). Being so close of the CBD of Auckland was also very nice and allowed us to go explore the city easily. I had a lot of fun this sem!

Coming from Norway and having completed a previous exchange in Australia, this experience was really different in a good way! The nature (especially in the South Island) is absolutely stunning and unlike anything I've seen anywhere else. Learning about the rich and diverse culture and history of Auckland and New Zealand was really interesting, and as an engineering student the quality of the courses were also to a high standard. These and a bunch of other things made my stay unforgetable!

If I were to give any advice it would be to try and meet people early on through events like the ones SASS have, and if you live in accomodation where you share space with others that is also a great place to meet new friends. Once the semester starts it can be a bit more hectic in terms of work load (depends on your courses), so settling in at the start is really benefitial. Finding one or several travel buddies will also make it cheaper and more fun because you can share some of the costs, as well as the good memories you'll make!

I am ending my semester at UoA, and I have really enjoyed my time here. The students and faculty are kind and accomodating, and I felt a lot of support from everyone I met. Accomodation at Carlaw Park is expensive but worth it for the apartment-style housing which is clean, has private rooms, and a large community of students. The city is quite walkable to grocery stores, pharmacies, clothing stores, and restaurants. The airport, train system, and bus system is a great way to get around! The campus is nice, but definitely feels like you're in a city, and you should be prepared for city life!

I really enjoyed my semester at UoA. It was academically interesting and fun to meet new people. I would say that the biggest issue with the program is that UoA is a commuter school which I didn't realize before coming here. This makes the community somewhat lacking and it is hard to meet Kiwis. Most of my friends during this time have come from my residence hall (TTH) and local church I joined. Overall the hall experience has been fine but I would say if you have the $ do not live in TTH. It is good for making friends but other than that is poorly cleaned and stressful. The kitchen is terrible and the bathrooms are often dirty. It is fun to meet other international students though. Everything has tradeoffs I guess.