New Zealand (NZ) is really a super beautiful country with breathtaking nature and the nicest people I have ever met. I can even remember a situation when I stood on the side of the road with my backpack and a map to orient myself and at least five Kiwis (that’s what New Zealanders are called) helped me without my asking. One had even offered me that I could spend the night with him and his family in case I couldn’t find any more vacant accommodation. However, I have to say that this happened to me in a smaller place on the South Island. In Auckland myself (at least in the down town area) the people seemed to me to be hectic from everyday life. This area around Queen Street is quite manageable and you can get to more relaxed areas relatively quickly.

According to toppharmacyschools, the AUT or Auckland University of Technology itself is also in the down town area of ​​Auckland, which is why you can’t completely escape the madness of the big city. But as I said: within a few minutes you are in Mt. Eden, for example, and the waterfront, where you can walk to St. Helliers (the nearest sandy beach), is also very close. The study on the AUT itself was used was quite different than I of Germany here. The first few weeks were really relaxed and I had a lot of idle time. But that changed after the semester break at the latest. The last few weeks were really packed with assignments and you also had to study for exams. Unlike at home, however, these only counted around 60% of the final grade.

Furthermore, I have to say on this subject that I have courses from both the first year of the degree (level 5) and from the third year of the degree (level 7). As expected, the Level 7 courses were challenging, but also exciting and interesting. The level 5 courses, on the other hand, were almost too easy. Partly eighth grade material was covered and I felt really out of place. But I think this is also due to the New Zealand school system, which apparently does not attach too much importance to mathematics (which is essential in the natural sciences) and the universities therefore have to try to bring the (new) students to the same level.

Studying at a university naturally also includes student life. There were also a lot of offers from AuSM (the Asta of AUT). For example, a foam party was organized the first week, which was totally stupid because July is the New Zealand winter, but it was still fun every time. What I was disappointed with, however, was that the International Office hardly did anything with us. On the first day there was a short welcome speech and then in the first week there was a party with free food. Then a weekend was organized to get to know the Maori culture better (absolutely recommendable!!!!). However, you had to pay for it again. There was also no closing event. I thought that was a shame! What the people from the International Office did very well was dealing with individual problems. For example, I had to extend my visa, which they did right away without me having to do anything.

Student life is mainly in the AUT’s own dormitory on Wellesley Street (WSA)played. Everyone was always warmly welcomed there and the parties were really fun, but for people like me who didn’t live there, at some point it was harder to keep up with the people there. Especially just before the exams. I would have liked more campaigns for the international students from the International Office! The reason why I didn’t move into the WSA at the time was the immensely high rental prices. With about 250NZ $ / week (without internet) the rooms there were 50NZ $ higher than comparable rooms in the area. So you have to decide for yourself what it’s worth to you. But it should also be said that NZ is generally very expensive. I also found the very high tuition fees unjustified. Unlike in Germany, for example, not even a bus ticket was included and internet at the AUT itself also had to be paid for.

Still, I don’t regret this decision a bit, because NZ is a breathtaking country and I’ve never seen so much multiculturalism as there.