Marine Biology Study Abroad Programs in New Zealand

I went to UC for Forestry, as the school is well known for the program, and I am so glad I did. The classes were very interesting, and I felt completely welcomed as an international student, as many professors accommodated for lack of prior knowledge of the area by taking time with me to help me understand the land I was now living in. As for the program, I was able to meet some great people who have already moved into the status of life-long friends. I was able to go all around the South Island and see some of the most beautiful sights in the world, and some were already included in the program. Whether it was boating on the Milford Sound or sea-kayaking with dolphins and penguins, my experience was nothing less than extraordinary. Our advisor was super helpful and provided us with great support and recommendations as we went through the semester. I had the time of my life, and I would recommend it to anyone!

At NMIT I had the opportunity to meet many students from all around the world. I made many great friends for a life time on the other side of the globe of my home country. It was definitively a once in a life time experience. Both Nelson and the rest of the country was also incredibly beautiful and likely had the most interesting nature I have ever seen.

Studying abroad in New Zealand was truly a life-changing experience. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the breathtaking beauty of the country, from its green hills to its crystal-clear lakes and majestic mountains. Exploring iconic locations, including some famous for being filming sites, added a extra touch to the journey. These natural wonders alone were enough to make the experience unforgettable, but my time there went far beyond sightseeing. One of the most valuable aspects of this experience was the opportunity to immerse myself in different cultures. I also learned a lot about myself, gaining a deeper understanding of my interest, adaptability, and curiosity. The academic environment was equally transformative. The teaching methods and perspectives at my host school broadened my vision, challenging me to think beyond the frameworks I had been accustomed to back home. Engaging with peers from various cultural and academic backgrounds helped me develop new ways of thinking and collaborating. Sharing adventures, celebrating milestones, and simply enjoying each other’s company created memories that are deeply etched in my heart. Whether it was hiking through stunning landscapes or playing some games, every moment felt special. I wholeheartedly recommend studying abroad in New Zealand to anyone considering it. It’s a chance to discover a stunningly beautiful country, embrace cultural diversity, and develop yourself. My time there has left an indelible mark on me, and I will always look back on it with immense gratitude and joy.

I had a great time in New Zealand!! Studying abroad in Christchurch was amazing and there are so many things to do within a short walk or bus ride. Absolutely amazing time hiking and taking advantage of the beautiful nature! Studying there was satisfying and I was able to learn so much!

I had an amazing time in Auckland! We did a lot of cool trips as a group and it was great to have such a fun group of students to experience this with! My accommodations were only 3 minutes away from my building and I had amazing roommates from around the world! Overall, I got to meet a lot of locals and travel around the country. If I ever needed help figuring out travel plans, my advisor was always available to offer some advice! I even had my wisdom teeth removed which was completely covered under the travel insurance! The trip was amazing and I hope to go back to New Zealand soon.

My semester abroad in Nelson, New Zealand, was an unforgettable experience. The people here are incredibly warm and welcoming. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with kindness, and the openness of the locals made me feel at home right away. At the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT), the atmosphere was supportive and encouraging, fostering both academic and personal growth. The natural beauty of New Zealand, however, left the deepest impression on me. Nelson, surrounded by breathtaking national parks, offered endless opportunities for exploration. Highlights included hiking in Abel Tasman National Park and visiting the Nelson Lakes, where I was struck by the serene landscapes. I was also lucky enough to see dolphins and penguins in the wild. This experience not only broadened my academic horizons but also strengthened my connection to nature. New Zealand is a place I will always cherish and want to revisit.

My name is Jesse, I am a Dutch student who has been lucky enough to study at NMIT in Nelson for six months. I will recommend to anyone who is thinking of studying there to go and do so. The people there are very friendly, the courses are well structured and you will be provided with all the necessary resources to pass every part of every course. A lot of activities are provided for students and you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Nelson. So, the only thing I have left to say is: TAKE ME BACK PLEASE.

My time in Auckland was sureal and it's something I will never forget. TEAN was very helpful in finding accommodations, and my RA was easy to talk to whenever I needed help. She planned fun excursions, and most of these excursions ended up being my favorite things during the entire semester. We went to Queenstown for orientation, and Cathedral Cove as the semester started to close. We also had lunch dates, coffee catch-ups, and comedy nights. My RA was also very straight forward in this being "an edu-cation experience as much as it is a va-cation experience" and that stuck with me. I may have focused more on my academics than having fun, but the classes I took genually interest me, so I was having fun while studying. Overall, this was a great experience, and I could not have done it without TEAN! Enjoy this picture I took with other study abroad students who were chosen to be apart of a promotional photoshoot for UOA (I'm the one in the green shirt with a snake).

New Zealand honestly exceeded my expectations. The country in itself is BEAUTIFUL. Auckland is obviously more of a city, but it's on the water and has lots of parks so you still feel close to nature! Getting to other parts of the country is really simple, with plenty of cheap flights and busses. I really enjoyed the housing accommodation, living apartment style with two other flatmates. The University of Auckland campus is nice as well, very blended into the city but still with a campus feel. Auckland has a lot of good food with a wide variety. I really enjoyed how easily we could walk downtown and find new cafes and restaurants!

I felt so taken care of by TEAN and I had such a great time abroad! I met people that will be my lifelong friends through TEAN and I feel so lucky to have been a part of such an amazing program. The program directors were always available to talk and we met up quite often as a group, which I liked. New Zealand is amazing and I had the time of my life living there!

Studying abroad in Auckland allowed me to explore a new city and have easy access to nature and neighboring countries. My program allowed me to meet amazing people and my housing was great. I had the opportunity to live with two girls from New Zealand and form friendships with people from Auckland, other cities within New Zealand, and even with people from other countries. I got to experience life on the other side of the world and could have not imagined a better experience. I would highly recommend studying abroad in Auckland, New Zealand!

I had the most wonderful time studying abroad in Wellington. Vic U is a great institution with plenty of courses to choose from, an active student life, and supportive staff. Wellington itself is a vibrant city with amazing food tons of things to do and wonderful people.

This semester was by far my favorite out of all I’ve done. New Zealand is the perfect place to really find yourself, connect with nature and culture. From hiking (or as they say tramping) to learning about Māori culture, I feel as though I got everything I wished for and more out of this experience. You have enough freedom to get up and go on a roadtrip to a lighthouse across the island and stop to see the Milky Way but enough support to get help if you need any. I cannot express how much I recommend Wellington to anyone. It’s a perfect in between point for the North and South Island. One weekend my friends and I hopped on the ferry and went to Kaikōura to go whale watching. There’s access to everything and anything you want with the city right there (in a very manageable size) and nature in your backyard (quite literally too).

I highly recommend every student to pull every string possible to study abroad. My personal bias is to do so in New Zealand. I fell in love with the country of New Zealand and grew more in this past semester than I have in my entire college experience. Studying abroad gives one the opportunity to be exposed to many new phenomenons of life. Studying abroad pushed me out of my comfort zone forcing much growth in my personal confidence while providing me the opportunity to explore my role in the greater scheme of the world. While quite intimidating, this exploration was freeing and exciting realizing that one could spend lifetimes exploring. Studying through TEAN gave me the privilege to explore on my own will having comfort in having the support of an onsite staff and community of other students in your same position. Our onsite director was so excited to share the Kiwi culture with us, from dinners to Rugby games she was more than willing to provide in suggestions for various activities. Additionally, due to the size of my field of study I was able to make friends that I am confident that I will stay in touch with for years to come. Every student should take the opportunity to study abroad. And if for nothing else, go for The Lord of The Rings sitings!

I highly recommend every student to pull every string possible to study abroad. My personal bias is to do so in New Zealand. I fell in love with the country of New Zealand and grew more this past semester than I have in my entire college experience. Studying abroad gives one the opportunity to be exposed to many new aspects of life. Studying abroad pushed me out of my comfort zone forcing much growth in my personal confidence while providing me the opportunity to explore my role in the greater scheme of the world. While quite intimidating, this exploration was freeing and exciting realizing that one could spend lifetimes exploring. Studying through TEAN gave me the privilege to explore on my own while enjoying the comfort of having the support of an onsite staff and community of other students in your same position. Our onsite director was so excited to share the Kiwi culture with us, from dinners to Rugby games she was more than willing to provide suggestions for various activities. Additionally, due to the size of my field of study I was able to make friends that I am confident that I will stay in touch with for years to come. Every student should take the opportunity to study abroad. And if for nothing else go for The Lord of The Rings sightings!

Studying abroad in Wellington was one of the best decisions I've ever made. The city is beautiful, the people are super friendly, and Vic is an amazing school to study at. Personally, I'm really into exploring different cafes and Wellington is full of them. No matter where you are in the city, you will be within walking distance of a good latte and pastry. I'm also a really big sports fan and Wellington is home to two really fun teams to watch. The Hurricanes (Rugby) and the Phoenix (soccer) both have discounted student tickets and are a great way to meet new people so if you're into sports Wellington is a great city to be in. TEAN did such an amazing job organizing the program and they will always be there if you need them. The program's orientation is in Queenstown and it was a life changing experience for me. Getting to spend a week in one of the most beautiful places on earth was an amazing way to start my experience abroad.

TEAN Abroad made going abroad to the other side of the world incredibly comfortable and easy! Everything from pre-departure planning to cultural immersion in your host city is made easier by TEAN Abroad. The mix of academics and amazing experiences that TEAN abroad helps you experience is unmatched by anyone. Definitely choose TEAN for your abroad experience!!!

If you're going to study abroad in New Zealand, do it through TEAN. They provide multiple opportunities to make the most out of your time abroad: orientation in Queenstown, mid-semester excursions, and several cultural events in your host city. They also provide an abundance of support from start to finish. Preparing to study abroad can be overwhelming, but TEAN's website guides you through the process in six easy steps, and they also provide a checklist for documents to submit. Although I would've preferred not to have the virus affect my time abroad at all, it did show how capable TEAN is: I felt like I could trust TEAN when I was deciding on whether to go home or not. They made it clear that they would support students whatever their decision was. Studying abroad with TEAN means unique opportunities and continuous support.

My experience at the University of Otago is by far the best academic experience I've ever had. My semester at the University of Otago was a combination of taking challenging and culturally immersive courses and a very exciting social life. Academically, the University offered culturally immersive courses such as Introduction to Maori culture and society. One particular course that I enjoyed was Adventure Education. This course taught topics related to the psychological and sociological effects of adventure on an individual. Moreover, the University of Otago offers an array of clubs such as outdoor recreation groups (OUTC, OUSSC), social events, and volunteer opportunities. Some of my favorite parts that I loved about the University of Otago is its beautiful campus, friendly community, and the accessibility to restaurants, coffee shops, libraries, and nearby towns. I chose to study with API because of their stress-free application process and support that they have for its students before, during, and after the program. I 100% recommend API to any student thinking about studying abroad!

I wouldn't change anything about my experience studying abroad in Auckland. Growing up in a small, rural town, I was worried I would be overwhelmed by the big city, but everyone I met made me feel so welcomed and I never felt unsafe. Auckland definitely isn't for everyone if you want to be more consistently immersed in New Zealand's stunning countryside, but getting out of the city rush is very easy and the entire Auckland region and surrounding regions are full of natural beauty. The public transportation within the city is great and there are plenty of affordable bus charters that will take you around the whole north island, and getting to the south island is only a 1-2 hour flight. ISA also provides excellent cultural experiences to help students adjust to the New Zealand lifestyle, as well as fantastic weekend trips throughout the semester. Highly recommend this program.