Come for the City, Stay for the Scenery

If you appreciate the natural beauty of the landscapes and creatures around you, New Zealand is absolutely the place for you. From the clashing of oceans at Cape Reinga to the physics-defying structures of Cathedral Cove; from the wrangled trees to the plethora of flightless birds; New Zealand is full of unique nature.

Auckland is a modern city with all the conveniences you'd expect of a city of 1.4 million people, and the University of Auckland is located right in the thick things. Auckland is also full of green spaces and public parks, such as Albert Park, located adjacent to the University. My personal favorite spot in Auckland is Mount Eden, a dormant volcano with 360 degree views of the city, as well as the many bays of both the Pacific and Tasman. But, in my opinion, the best parts of New Zealand lie outside of the city, including many places just a quick day or weekend trip away.

Much of the culture of New Zealand is inherited from America and Europe, so if you're an American student looking to experience a radically different culture, I'm not sure if New Zealand is the right place. But if you love the outdoors, hiking, and nature, you can't beat this.

As for the academics, I have found the philosophy towards learning to be much different than in the US. First of all, everything is much more laid back, which has its pros and cons. You'll also find that your exams, especially finals, are worth ridiculous portions of your overall grade. I'm talking 50% to 70%. Meaning the rest of the semester is worth only 30% to 50%. Meaning there are less assignments and/or those assignments aren't worth as much. Which is awesome if you're studying abroad, because it means that you'll have plenty of free time to explore the country on weekends as long as you are reasonably productive during the week!

Overall, I've had a blast in New Zealand and highly recommend studying in Auckland!