I would love to study biology in New Zealand as an American student. However I would not know a single person in the entire country, at all. The airfare is expensive for me, so I would only be able to come home once a year (if I stayed more then one year). I would have to commit for the first year. Would it be worth it for me?
I’m just a little stressed at the thought of it and would love to hear any experience/advice/thoughts/suggestions. I know I should join clubs but what if I can’t find any I like, or I don’t make friends?
Also, what would my support system be if something went wrong?
Thanks so much
Thousands of American kids go to universities where they don’t know anyone. And thousands more come to America to study as international students. They meet people when they get there. They make friends. They create their own support system. You can too.
The bigger issue is why do you want to go to college so far from home? What does New Zealand give you that you can’t have here? Are you mature and independent enough to commit to studying abroad for several years? Can you handle not being with your family and friends for that long? (Assuming you can’t fly home often.) These are the issues you need to answer for yourself. No one can do this for you.
The question depends a lot on your maturity and personality. If you can see it as an open-ended adventure with every encounter (well, not every, but many) awash with possibilities, and you are a resilient problem-solver, it could be quite an opportunity… If you generally face problems and unexpected quirks in the road with humor and optimism, it might be a great thing to do. If you thrive on more structure , it might be good, as happymomof1 says to explore doing it for a shorter time, with an established program to support you. And think about it for graduate school…
I think it’s be easier for you to choose a us college that allows you to go to New Zealand for a year abroad - it wouldn’t be such a big jump off a cliff.
Check to see if they have residential colleges (I know there aren’t many universities) but if they don’t and all students are computers, it’s be terribly difficult for you I think.
Most internationals try to join a college. Community, through dorms for example, which doesn’t necessarily exist in New Zealand and makes it more difficult to adapt, make friend, etc.
Thanks for the great responses. Their is definitely a lot of stuff that would need to be worked out, and I need to do a lot of thinking if this is something I am truly comfortable with. But just the thought of this is super exciting! I really love New Zealand, but I guess right now I love more of a concept based on images then an actual place. The problem with an established program is the cost, but it might be worth it to see how it is? I don’t know. You’re right that the NZ universities might not offer a lot more then what is in US, and that I won’t really know what I’m getting myself into ahead of time.
Because I do plan on going to graduate school for something after getting a bachelors, I am worried that if I stay in the US for first couple years I will have a job and debt and end up never doing it.
That’s what study abroad is for. Pick colleges where one year study abroad is built into your college career, and/or has a college center and/or with 4-1-4 calendars where the “1” (January) is spent abroad.
Possibilities:
Middlebury, Dickinson, St Olaf, Earlham
If you want to live abroad you can also do that as part of your career and life after college. My husband and I have worked overseas for 20 years as of next summer. There are lots of Americans living and working all over the world.
@JuviaH, do you mind telling us what state (or at least region) you live in? Is there a good school in-state for you, or a possibility of need-based/merit aid so that you can graduate debt-free? That way you could consider more options for studying abroad in graduate school.
Another thing to consider in your future, if you are so inclined, is the possibility of U.S. Peace Corps service. While there are no Peace Corps programs in New Zealand, there have historically been placements in other parts of the Pacific, and probably are now. (Google the Peace Corps website for more current info.) Peace Corps will defer your student loans while you are in service, and I think a bit beyond while you are re-adjusting to life in the U.S. The Peace Corps also has relationships with several graduate schools programs, making it easier to be admitted, and (at least in the past) Peace Corps service has actually been an integral part of some graduate degrees. A B.A or B.S. in biology graduate would give you many options for placement in the Peace Corps, from community health projects, fisheries, agriculture, science teaching, environmental projects and more. Just a thought, if this would appeal to you…
That would give you permission to live and work there for 12 months. You could do that right after finishing college, or as a gap year option part-way through college if you want to.
Speaking as a NZer studying in the US, my advice would be to think of the long term implications of your choice.
If you just want an abroad experience but will probably live and work in the US after graduating…then just study abroad a semester or two in NZ, because a degree from there won’t give you any advantages (the opposite in fact) when competing for jobs in the US.
If you plan to stay and create a life for yourself in NZ (like I’m trying to do in the US) then sure, look into moving to NZ.
In regards to adjusting to life in a country of strangers; it is what you make of it. If you’re an introvert who doesn’t like drinking or throwing yourself out there, then yes you will find it tough (although that would be the same as moving cross country). However if you can put yourself out there in social settings you will have no problem making a friend group, especially with the novelty of being American.
The problem with an established program is the cost, but it might be worth it to see how it is? I don’t know. You’re right that the NZ universities might not offer a lot more then what is in US, and that I won’t really know what I’m getting myself into ahead of time.