You'll get the travel bug

I wasn't sure what to expect about AUT when I first got to New Zealand. If anything, I expected to be overwhelmed, required to relearn the dynamics and expectations of a new University. However, Kenneth and others in the study abroad office helped so much to make sure I, and other people on the program, understood everything that was going on around campus. We got a tour of the campus before the classes started, which allowed us to orient ourselves around the city university, and there were a bunch of events for the study abroad group throughout the semester so that we could get to know each other. Kenneth was able to help a lot with student concession for the bus too, which was a huge help on all the trips to the islands around Auckland (definitely try to go to them all)!

I didn't take papers (i.e. classes) in my major while on the study abroad semester in New Zealand, but the papers I took were thoroughly engaging and the professors were really welcoming to people from different majors. Coming from a biology major and taking computer science classes isn't too common at AUT, so my background definitely added a new perspective to the papers I took, and the professors were really receptive to someone with a different background of study.

The papers themselves were really interesting and I enjoyed the lectures in the classes I took more than a lot at my home University. The projects for these papers didn't have much busy work either, so I was easily able to plan a lot of traveling around my papers. You also get a really nice two week break in the middle of the semester.

I think the traveling I've had the opportunity to do in New Zealand is what made the trip really. Jucy rentals with a bunch of other people is a super cheap way to get around the country (highly recommend), and there is a new place to go every weekend or break. Hiking in New Zealand is the best in the world, and you don't need to worry about any animals that you could encounter on the trail, no ticks to comb out, and no poison ivy to avoid. If you're a Lord of the Rings fan like myself. then you can check out all the filming sites. Mt Doom (in Tongariro National Park) was the most beautiful hike I've ever done and it was three days (though you can do a one day trek too). The hut system is truly incredible in New Zealand and it's so easy to get everywhere. Just go everywhere.

The country is amazing and after six months I still feel like I haven't seen everything that I wanted to. This is a really amazing country to come to and I would absolutely recommend this program! Between studies and travel the time will fly by, but it will be the best six months.