Study Abroad in Wellington, New Zealand - Massey University

Studying abroad is a must do, and New Zealand is the perfect place. It truly feels like another, happier, more adventure-filled world! The classes were very research-based, which I loved. There are so many places to hike-beautiful, popular tracks through famous national parks, local walks through the forest, or brief paths from the side of the road to a lookout or waterfall. There are hot pools to sit in, oceans to surf, and beautiful beaches to picnic on. I made awesome friends-some local kiwis, some other American students, and some other international students, which struck a balance of getting to know my area, having suggestions of where to visit, and having friends to travel with. New Zealand is the place to study abroad, and TEAN is the program to do it through. They help you find a program/university that meets your needs, they outline every step of the process (applying, getting your visa, when to book airfare-all the niggly things I would otherwise mess up!), and they offer so much support while you're away. Being 9,000 miles away from your friends and family seems a lot less scary when you have all of the help that TEAN offers.

Whenever I’m asked, “How was New Zealand?” my go-to response is always a definitive “Fantastic.” I’ll then launch into the long-winded and enthusiastic account of my travels, pausing only to take breath. From absolutely stunning beauty to engaging academics to the friendliest people I’ve met, New Zealand has it all. I can barely begin to describe what an immensely positive and valuable experience studying abroad was for me. TEAN really is to thank for orchestrating such a smooth, stress-free transition, which allowed for me to focus on academics and cultivating a wider global awareness. Without the initial foundation that TEAN built through orientation and the support from staff, I would not have been nearly as confident as I was when it was time to venture off on my own. I absolutely loved how creative and artistically expressive the city of Wellington is. There is so so much to do and explore all within a short walk; hardly any two points in the city are more than a half hour walk from each other tops. Cafes, restaurants, and boutiques are abound. Museums are free and there are some beautiful hikes just outside the city. I lived in The Cube which is Massey University’s Accommodation where the first-year students lived. It was very much like being in a Freshman dorm again with RAs and Hall events, but I absolutely loved the strong sense of community it fostered. By the end of the semester, my floor had become my family and home away from home. I would highly recommend living in university housing if given the choice because there are so many ways to make friends and get involved with events that you might not otherwise have had the opportunity to. Lastly, I thoroughly enjoyed the curriculum I was able to take while abroad. With Massey’s Wellington campus being known as the oldest and most prestigious design school in New Zealand, it was a perfect fit to complement my Graphic Design major. The academics were rigorous yet rewarding, and very much what you make of it.

My time in New Zealand was unforgettable. From the people to the beautiful scenery to the funny words they use, New Zealand is the perfect place to study abroad and ISA is the best program to take you there. One of the scariest things about studying abroad is what to do right when you get there, but the ISA staff was there waiting to help us begin our journey with the most ease that I could've asked for. The three day orientation was immensely helpful because it taught me about the culture of New Zealand as well as giving me a great group of friends. ISA simply took all of the travel stress away and just left us all to experience everything that New Zealand has to offer. I fell in love with this country because it became a place I could call my second home. I made some of my closest friends and created stories that I will be telling for the rest of my life. And let's not forget Lord of the Rings! It is impossible to explain everything that New Zealand and ISA did for me, but just know that I learned more about myself and the world than I could've imagined. If it wasn't for ISA, my experience would have undoubtedly been more stressful, and that would have taken up quite a bit of the precious time I had in the most beautiful country on Earth. New Zealand has my heart and I know that it will steal the heart of anyone who goes there. So choose ISA, they won't let you down.