A Sweet As Experience

I studied at the University of Auckland with IES in Fall of 2010 and had a life-changing experience that I would not trade in for anything. I arrived in New Zealand as a shy and constantly stressed girl, but I quickly learned that there was a better way to living.
I met so many new and different people and had to put aside all of my biases and close-minded views so that I could immerse myself into a new culture and benefit from it.
Studying at the university was a lot different than my university back home in Texas. Students were not constantly worried about their grades and GPA, but rather looked at education as a learning opportunity instead of a resume and statistics booster. In this way, students were more able to relax and enjoy life outside of class. I found myself studying during the week, and taking relaxing trips to the beach or countryside over the weekends, something that I would never do back home since I was always sitting in a library studying or catching up on sleep. I definitely absorbed this mentality towards education and still use it today. It has made my academic life so much more enjoyable and I am grateful for that.
I lived with four other students in a student apartment, which was quite an experience since we were all from different countries. I learned a lot from this housing situation and become even more accepting of other cultures. I would recommend student housing since you will be able to meet more students from all around the world. I did have a mate who chose to live with a host family though, and her experience with her Kiwi family was also amazing, so the choice is up to you! I think both options are great. As long as you are an outgoing person, you will be able to meet other students.
The country itself is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and it has so much to offer. The Kiwi people are absolutely wonderful and friendly and they are always willing to help you throughout your travels. There are also so many outdoor activities to do, so make sure that you take advantage of them even during the semester. I myself even stayed in New Zealand for a month after finals ended so that I could travel and enjoy the country. I would definitely recommend doing this!
Overall, I truly enjoyed my time in New Zealand, made unforgettable memories, and made some amazing friends who I still keep in touch with frequently. I miss it so much that I am actually going back at the end of this year to work there for 8-9 months!