<p>D is a college freshman, has had her sights set on studying overseas since early in high school, and will be attending a study abroad “fair” at her college next month. She is an animal science/pre-vet major and one of the overseas schools that her advisor recommended she look at is Massey University in New Zealand. We are supportive of D’s interest in studying abroad, but given that New Zealand is on the other side of the Earth, we are wondering if anyone has a son or daughter that studied abroad in NZ/Australia/Fiji and how things turned out. Issues? Problems? All comments appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>My D did a study abroad in Australia for the spring semester. It also included a 3 week study tour prior to the semester that took her to China, Malaysia, Thailand and Tibet. During her Australia semester, she took her 2 week spring break trip in New Zealand, which ended up being one of her favorite parts of her 7 months away.</p>
<p>It was hard from a communications standpoint because our time zones were 12 hours apart. But after the initial few weeks, getting an Australian cellphone, and most importantly, getting Skype to work on her computer, communications were great. We used Skype, for free, and had fabulous hour long conversations once every 10 days or so.</p>
<p>It was an experience of a lifetime for her. She initially fretted over whether to choose Europe instead for her study abroad choice (up to one year abroad was part of her scholarship). I told her it would be much easier to send herself to Europe than it would ever be to “go to the over side of the Earth”.
(I actually said exactly what your words were above!).</p>
<p>She agreed and has had no regrets. She HAS asked for a donation toward a graduation gift of a trip to Europe now that the travel bug has bitten so mightily though!</p>
<p>I say, godspeed. You will be thrilled with the stories and photos she will share on her great adventure. Keep us posted on what happens.</p>
<p>Just yesterday I met an American vet major who is doing a year abroad at Massey. She is from Texas.</p>
<p>Is your D in a professional program? does she know what animal she wants to specialize in? that could have a big influence. </p>
<p>I have a nephew studying big cats–but the girl I met yesterday is studying equine medicine–and NZ is a dream in that department.</p>
<p>Problems? She’s fallen in madly love with a charming handsome NZ vet student. Also, the NZ school year runs from end of Feb to mid November.</p>
<p>My sister studied abroad in New Zealand for anthropology. She and a couple friends from the program took extra time at the end to travel to Fiji and Australia. She had a great time. No problems I can think of. I should mention that we as a family are relatively well traveled, and she had spend at least three months studying or working in both Mexico and Kenya during the previous year, so there weren’t many concerns about the traveling aspect.</p>