Massey Wellington a great choice

Ratings
Overall
5
Academics: 3
Support: 5
Fun: 4
Housing: 5
Safety: 5
Review

Even though this program description only addresses the study abroad experience in Palmerston North (where the largest Massey campus is), USAC students can also choose to study in either Auckland (New Zealand's largest city) or Wellington (New Zealand's capital), where Massey has smaller branches.

I chose to study in Wellington. In fact, I chose the USAC program specifically because it included the option to study in Wellington. I had visited Wellington before, and wanted to spend my semester abroad in this great city.

My experience at Massey Wellington was great. The International Student Support staff were all fantastic. I had an issue with my housing the very first day (I lived in a Massey-affiliated apartment with 4 New Zealand students, and was originally placed in the wrong flat), but the support staff was very helpful and got me into a better room situation within 24 hours. The staff also planned get-togethers and outings for all the international students, and were always around and willing to chat. Our main support contact even helped us out with travel planning!

Massey Wellington is largely a design school, but I took courses ("papers") there in journalism, pop culture, and travel writing. The courses were interesting, and the in-class time and workload was, frankly, minimal. I went to class 7 hours a week, and had 4-day weekends. Assignments were tough when they came around, but nothing I wasn't prepared to handle.

I enjoyed going to school in New Zealand. But I enjoyed living in Wellington even more. My flatmates were fun (though housing was co-ed, which I was not expecting), and the city of Wellington is fantastic. It's not a small city like Palmerston North, nor a big city like Auckland. Instead, it's a very walkable, livable city. There's tons of culture here (food, theater, nightlife), and always something going on. Plus, with it's location right in the middle of the country, it makes a great jumping-off point for other travel around New Zealand.

And, if you're going to study abroad in New Zealand, most definitely plan to do some traveling. The country is small and easy to get around, and has so much beauty that it will blow your mind. And the locals? Some of the friendliest people you will ever meet.

Would you recommend this program?
Yes, I would