105 reviews
3.96 / 5 based on 105 reviews
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2
christiantorrens
Languages
Language of instruction: English
Was learning English a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my English
How much did you improve your English?
My level before: At ease in most situations
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
Although I was quite fluent in English before going to New Zealand my level has improved. At the beginning, though, it was sometimes hard to understand the accent that the "kiwis" use as it is very different from the american-english accent that I had mostly heard before.
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3
christiantorrens
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
Family<br>
Personal savings
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
Telephone: local calls are free and I did not use any mobile.
Accomodation: At home I live with my family. However, flatting in New Zealand is far cheaper than in Spain.
Night life: Alcohol is expensive, but entrance to the clubs is usually free of charge.
Travel: The accomodation in backpackers is really affordable and travelling by bus is also very cheap. However, air fares are very expensive. I also spend a lot travelling, because all the adventure sports to do and all the beautiful sceneries that New Zealand has and I did not want to miss.
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Overall, Housing, Travel:
was more expensive than at home.
Nightlife, Food:
was the same price as at home.
Telephone:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
Plan ahead your expenses, if you do so you probably will not find any surprise. In general I consider New Zeland a "cheap country".
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2
christiantorrens
Overall
I wish I had known...
In New Zealand is usually quite cold, at least in the South Island. It is not awful, but sometimes I wished it was a little bit warmer.
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
To improve the coordination among courses.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
Take some time to travel around the country. I would definetely suggest Queenstown if you like adventure sports. Swimming with the dolfins in Kaikoura is another unforggetable experience.
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1
christiantorrens
Academic
Course recommendations
It is hard to know from your home University which courses are avaible for the year. In my opinion, this should be improved.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
Probably some more recommendations about the complementarity of the courses.
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
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0
christiantorrens
Student life
Describe host city:
Student life dominates the city
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Activities, Nightlife: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment
Travel: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
The Cook Tavern and KCs as night spots. Not to be missed an All-Blacks game. To travel around New Zealand is another must.
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1
christiantorrens
Housing
Type of housing: Apartment/House
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
Because I enjoyed the experience and I believe you learn from it.
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Personal comments
I lived in a "flatting community" called Toroa International House. My flatmates and the people living in other flats were from a wide range of countries. Getting to know things about their cultures and personalities is what I found more interesting about living there.
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