I Miss It Already Past Review
By Alejandro Esparza (Trinity University) - abroad from 02/16/2017 to 06/16/2017 with
IFSA: Auckland - University of Auckland
While I'm not sure I can truthfully say that I actually learned how to cook (I did do it, but I'm still not great), I did learn a lot about being independent and how to survive in a completely foreign environment - and yes, it was completely worthwhile and I would do it again in an instant.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
All of the classes, professors and fellow students were fantastic and allowed me to have an incredibly enlightening and memorable learning experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living in a flat just two miles from campus (Parnell) was fantastic. You were outside of the university bubble but still well within the fascinating Auckland atmosphere. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It didn't take long for me to feel completely integrated, and that is largely due to the extremely welcoming and kind nature of kiwis. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Auckland is a very safe city in general, but the university and all of the housing options are located in well-travelled and monitored areas. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I'm a music major and while I have definitely learned a lot at my home university, it was refreshing to go abroad and focus on jazz instead of classical music. Auckland was one of the few places in the world I could actually do this and it was infinitely better than I expected. The classes were challenging, the environment was fun, and my classmates were just as passionate, if not more so, that I am. All the while the IFSA-Butler team was extremely supportive and is really to thank for making this whole experience possible. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
It's an expensive city, but when you take into account the exchange rate and you learn to cook for yourself and find inexpensive places to eat it's very manageable. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | While we are in college and alcohol is sure to be a part of your study abroad experience, I recommend putting your money towards travel and other "only in NZ" experiences. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | You won't be able to do everything that you set out to do, and that's okay, because what you'll end up doing instead will be just as memorable. |
