New Zealand: Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington - Ugrad/Grad

I loved my time aboard. It taught me so much such as how to stand on my own two feet, how to navigate in a new system, and how to interact with people of different backgrounds. USAC made this possible by setting up a lot of things for me and by putting me in contact with the people I needed to be in contact with. By taking care of my housing, schooling, and overall set up, I was able to focus my time on taking care of me. USAC also put me in contact with other people who were traveling to the same place as me, so I was able to make friends with people before I even got there.

Amazing experience! Overall I felt safe very safe even as a black women! I would walk places sometimes by myself at night and wouldn’t be bothered by anyone and would still feel super safe. The City was super walkable and had many fun places to go nearby college dorms. The Downside is I never got my deposit back from school housing abroad and they stopped answering my emails to receive it, it was $300 USD. That was super frustrating. Besides that, I had an amazing time. My sister and I would hike ever weekend!

I did everything I wanted to do while studying in New Zealand. From roadtripping the whole country to making friends on campus that I still to this day stay in contact with. I don’t regret a thing. The food in New Zealand was new but soooo good. The atmosphere alone made me feel at home. Lots of rain which I was not used too but I do love rain. Sometimes. And one of my favorite things about new Lena’s were the roads. Even though they were windy it was so beautiful just driving through New Zealand.

Studying at Massey University-Wellington was excellent! The fine arts program is wonderful, with excellent facilities and staff. I learned a lot in a program structured differently than my home university. These months at Massey helped me to become a better artist. Wellington is a beautiful city with great accessibility, close to the beach, overwhelmingly safe, and top-tier public transport. There is always something to do in Wellington, the city is full of life. The people of Wellington are nice and inviting. It was easy to make friends fast!

My time in New Zealand was amazing! The process of applying for the university and actually going there were relatively easy though there was a lot of waiting. Going into this, I was unsure if I would be comfortable in a different country, and I was also nervous if I would be able to make friends. But, the community at Massey University was great, and I was able to meet some really incredible friends and I was able to travel around New Zealand and see the beautiful sights. The university was also incredibly safe, as was the country as a whole as I was able to walk around downtown feeling incredibly safe as well as taking public transportation to many places.
This was the best decision I have made, as very grateful that I had the opportunity to travel and study abroad in New Zealand.

I had the most amazing experience over in New Zealand. I had made some lifelong friends that I still keep in touch with both from America and from New Zealand. I know I'll always have a place to stay whenever I go back too. Studying abroad was a life changing experience. I have seen places that are absolutely unreal, I saw dolphins at the bay, I got to see 10,000+ waterfalls in Fiordland National Park, I got to drive on the opposite side of the road blasting my favorite music with my friends, I camped at the top of a mountain next to Mt. Cook in a hut and saw the Milky Way with as many stars possible, I camped on a beach with the mountains in the background, I got to camp and snuggle in the freezing cold in all my friends in a small tent we bought for $10. We ate as many PB&Js possible, I got to hang out all night with friends and go to Maca's when we were in town and check out so many local bands. I had the actual time of my life.

I had always wanted to go to New Zealand since I was little. Finally having the chance to go there through studying abroad made me super excited, but of course I had my fears because it would be my first time traveling alone without my family or anyone I knew. Stepping off the plane into New Zealand fall-like winter after leaving America's summer was an awakening in itself. I had arrived and was excited to see in person why New Zealand interested me. The first thing that drew me in to this country was its greenery and views. The mountains, skies, grass, and vibrant environment became a quick comfort to admire in this beautiful country. Second, I really appreciated the classes I took that not only allowed me to connect with native people, but also learn more about the country. I recommend taking a Maori course because you get to learn the language and history, which opens your eyes to how New Zealand is shaped the way it is and remains so refined. Compared to America I definitely see kiwis (what New Zealanders are called) as more trusting, supportive, and engaging. Many tend to leave their doors unlocked, I've connected and gotten to know people in a Domino's, grocery store, and hostel even when I knew I'd probably never see them again. Thirdly, New Zealand allowed me to do scary and beautiful adventures. It is a small country, but holds a lot of thrill seeking attractions and many places to hike (kiwis call hiking tramping). Sadly, I did not go to nearly as many places as I wish I did, but enjoyed the places I did venture to. For my study abroad I was in Palmerston North and I traveled to Wellington, Rotorua, and parts of the South Island, ending in Queenstown during university breaks or a weekend. I hiked two glaciers, went kayaking with seals, saw a seal colony, saw a glow worm cave, saw a waterfall, made it to the pancake rocks, saw a powhiri (New Zealand welcome ceremony), and camped out near a beach to awake to a mesmerizing sunrise. I love how New Zealand is very in tune with the nature that resides around them. The fourth thing I would have to say about New Zealand is that its peacefulness is what captured me. It is a country that always makes you want to stop and admire and relax. I now look for that beauty and calmness everywhere I go, even if it's just within my home state. I think New Zealand helped me see myself as more independent. Saving money to travel, eat, go out with friends, do laundry, and buy gifts and souvenirs was hard for me, but post-program I have definitely gotten better at budgeting. My experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me appreciate who I am, what I am capable of, and this gorgeous country. I want to save money to go back to New Zealand and bring my family and friends. I think everyone should at least see New Zealand once because its atmosphere leaves you feeling reawakened.

When I arrived in New Zealand, I was all on my own, not knowing a single person. I left the airport balling my eyes out after my program ended because of the lifelong friends I was leaving behind. The staff at the on campus housing was amazing. They put events together that everyone was excited about and it gave me a chance to make these great friends. The academics were totally different from what I was used to in Colorado. There were very few homework assignments but most of the classes were essay based. Being a finance major, I was not used to all that writing and it actually made me an overall better college writer. I wouldn’t trade the memories made while I was in Auckland for anything. I grew into someone that I’m proud to say is my best self.