Mobility specification

Country:New Zealand

Institution:The University of Auckland

City:Auckland

Program:ISEP Exchange

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2023/2024

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Arts

Study level abroad:Master

🎓Hit the books! How do you rate the university experience?

Can you enroll in a course where you can learn the local language?yes

Does the university offer enough courses in English?they have tons

Are your credits converted?no

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?I found it great that, just like at MU, there is the possibility to enroll in courses from different disciplines. Then I liked the cultural richness of both the students and the teachers, one simply fit in and was part of it.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?Yes, the university has a lot of clubs - from hiking, surfing, theatre, chess and a roomie club. There was also just a club for international students, to organize different events, like pizza on the beach and stuff :)

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?Psychological counseling
Support for LGBTQ+ students (e.g., safe spaces, counseling services)

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:30000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?yes

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?I don't think so. Everything was as expected.

Do you have any tips on how to save money?On clothes choppers and buy food that is seasonal and on sale. In general, food and groceries were very expensive. Or then going to various club events where you could eat for free.

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?perfectly

How does public transport work in the city?mostly fine

And what about transport outside the city?terrible

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?Outside of the city, you more or less can't get around without a car - there are a couple of bus routes, but they are very expensive and few.
In Auckland you can use Google maps and for the ticketing system you buy a card, top up the credit and ride. There was a discount for students (they have it linked to an online account).

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?no

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?In Auckland, I would recommend yoga at the sky tower. And then the beaches! There are plenty of them and they are great for both sunrise and sunset. Auckland Domain Park is beautiful.

What are the must-visit trip destinations?Blow! Less than an hour from Auckland, it's a beautiful place that offers a walk to the waterfall.

Share your best experience:Autumn holidays (read spring) when we rented a car and travelled around the South Island.
But also dorm life in general, where a community of people formed, we had breakfasts and events together, and there was always a familiar face or person there to help out.

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?yes

Where can it be arranged?Online

What is needed?Bank statement, confirmation from the university, documents.

How long does it take approximately?About a month, the site has an average time.

How did you get to the place?Plane

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?Prepare for jet lag and very long flights.

Can you pay by card?in most places

What not to forget when packing?You get what you don't have :)

🥳Summary

Whew, what a ride! 😮‍💨 Thanks so much for taking the time to complete our survey and for sharing your unique experience. Just one last thing. 🙏 How would you summarize your trip in one or two sentences?Life in paradise! A perfect multicultural place where everyone can find their "own thing".