IES Abroad Auckland DE – University of Auckland

I lived with the most wonderful homestay family in Auckland. They have become like family and we stay in touch to this day! In fact, I traveled back to visit them and they plan to come to my wedding this coming year. I chose this program because it was supported through my home university, which made credit transfers easier, and it was located in the city I wanted to be in. I also liked that is was more of a "support" program and I would be directly enrolled.

Pursing an education in an international setting was the most life-changing, inspiring, and empowering gift I could ever receive. My study abroad experience lit a fire in me to take on each day with no constraints, to deeply love people from entirely different walks of life, and revealed the blessing of speaking one’s words into action. In Spring of 2014, I was given the opportunity to study abroad in Auckland, New Zealand. I went to class daily, but learned so much more from my interactions and relationships built outside the classroom. I took advantage of my 3-day weekends (I didn't have Friday class), and traveled every chance I could. I went deep-sea fishing with my host family, visited Goats Island and vacation homes with the locals, traveled to South Island to see Christchurch, Queenstown, and Milford Sound, and I joined the Canoe Club at Auckland Uni. I was the only member of IES to live in a home stay while I was abroad and I absolutely loved it. I returned a transformed student with the sweetest memories, new goals, and changed definitions of happiness. After studying abroad in New Zealand, I have no idea what the concept of a 'comfort zone' is. I welcomed my first interaction with water on a canoe club trip while kayaking rapids and rafting over waterfalls. I was re-introduced to the great outdoors via a tent and sleeping bag after 10 years of separation. I went fishing in a harbor nicknamed "the graveyard." I zipped down the steepest zip-line in the world, and proceeded to jump out of an airplane at 12,000 feet in the air. I traveled cross-country, to new continents, and across the Pacific to find places that continued to knock the wind out of me due to their breathtaking beauty. Oh, and I leapt off the Sky Tower that stands 600 feet tall. I have never been more proud of myself and my ability to redefine fear, motivation, and adventure. Study abroad gave me independence, and showed me at the ripe age of 21 that I am in charge of my life. My advice? Say YES to the adventure waiting for you and sign up NOW!

Almost perfect. IES planned a week-long trip to Tonga (part of our package) which I would never have done on my own. Excellent program director. <br /> <br /> Downside: Possibly too American-oriented. Would've been better to have been more integrated with other international students in New Zealand.