Past Student Comments

What former students have said......  

"Going on this trip was one of the best choices I made in college."

"It was a wonderful trip…I learned so much. "

"I will never forget this opportunity. The chance to explore amazing countries and cultures as well as create lifetime ties to such a diverse group of students was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "

"The homestays are the absolute highlight."

"What I learned and am taking home with me is the spirit of New Zealand and the way in which they respect the land and the animals. There is a great emphasis here on the preservation of culture as well as native species of plants and animals."

“Attention: this is a class. There is school work. The first week of lectures is intense, but be patient because the field portions make the trip. "

"What I learned that I’m taking home with me is that the natural world has a beauty that cannot be put into words. It’s been a phenomenal educational experience."

"My greatest moment on the trip was getting to swim with the dolphins. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I won’t forget. To actually swim with WILD dolphins was such an incredible rush."

"Dolphin swim, kayaking, mountain hikes, all outdoor activities. I loved it all."

"Seeing a whole new world and some of the most beautiful scenic views I will ever see is what I will remember. There are too many experiences to label one as the greatest."

"The course material was challenging."

"It wasn’t what I expected at all. I loved it!"

"I can’t specify one great moment. There were hundreds. I loved stepping off the bus to see the next place we’d explore. I loved learning something surprising about individuals on the trip. Overall my best memories are about the friends I have made. I love that our group is made up of a variety of people. It made our trip well-rounded with more intellectual insights."

"Amazing experience, 100% awesome!"

"The greatest moments for me were those that felt adventurous--some of these I participated in alone, and some with groups. Either way it was from these moments I learned the most about myself. "

"What I’ve learned that I’m taking home with me is a new respect for others’ cultures and a new acceptance for others’ beliefs and opinions. This is my first time ever out of the country…and it has been a comfortable and more than pleasurable experience."

"This program is ideal for people who love the outdoors. It is suitable for all majors. This really was a great program."

"An amazing experience that met and exceeded my expectations."

"I don’t know if I could pick one great experience because, overall, there have been so many--I have come away with a new sense of independence, growing as a person as to wanting to set my sights on a bigger picture, to go home and hopefully expand the minds of my peers as to what can be a learning environment."

"This course kicked . . . I would do it again a thousand times. Everyone should study in New Zealand!"

"My greatest experience or moment here on this program was overall being able to travel around NZ. But more specifically, having the time to reflect on all I’ve learned. I can’t give this program enough credit for all that I’ll go back with. A really significant moment for me was the star gazing because it was a nice way to put everything into perspective at the end of the trip."

"I am taking away different views and perspectives of totally different cultures. I see that the U.S. is somewhat sheltered in the way that we are causing many world ecological problems and turn a shoulder to it. I see that these people know more about what we aren’t doing than what we do."

"I learned how to travel internationally. I am not timid anymore to go out and do what I have always wanted to. I feel more mature in the way I can handle myself and my experiences. Traveling internationally got me out of my comfort zone, and I am proud that I was able to handle it like a man."

"The thing I will take back from this trip the most is a better understanding and appreciation of the environment around me and the global community to which I belong. These are life skills that I will hopefully not forget."

"This trip has forced me to break down who I am and my beliefs, which has allowed me to understand my prejudices and see the world from a new perspective with a new understanding of what is culture and what is important in the scheme of things.”

"I’ve got memories to take with me, but I also learned about what qualities I admire in people. I loved seeing everyone, especially myself, open up as they learned. The coursework, the atmosphere and living situation, everything educated us about culture and people in general."

"I learned how independent I and people can be. I think I know how much I can do, and I don’t see the world as such a huge and different place. I have grown so much on this trip."

"The places you will be going are unique, fun and amazing."

"Be prepared for an intense educational experience. The rewards for the work come more quickly than you can imagine. When you get on the bus and start traveling, a beautiful experience is waiting for you: swirling night skies, rock islands in the middle of the sea, and blue glaciers illuminated by orange sunsets. "

"You will be constantly doing something: lectures but also amazing hiking, snorkeling, dolphin swimming, kayaking."

"This is primarily an educational experience, but at the same time, it’s by far an amazing and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Thanks for everything!"

"It is an amazing study abroad where you get to see and do a lot. The best advice is make the most of every minute, make lots of friends and have fun. You will come away with one of the best experiences of your life. "

"I wanted to let you know what a great time I had in New Zealand. I thought you did a great job with everything, and I thoroughly enjoyed being part of such a great program."

"This course is OUTSTANDING! Don’t change anything about it."

"Concern for student learning in every way."

"Professional in every detail."

"Very difficult course--I wasn’t expecting such a tough class especially with so many different people with different majors participating."

"I loved every second of the material taught on this trip and the activities we participated in." "The course was fun, the trip was exciting."

"I really enjoyed this class and learned a lot."

"The course material was challenging."

"Great fun, I would do it again in a heartbeat! Thanks."

"The quality of this course to me was extremely high. I enjoyed it thoroughly and feel that I learned more than any other class I have taken in college."

"This trip has been absolutely incredible, and we have you to thank for that. It must be difficult to find the perfect balance between work and play, but I think you did a great job!"

"This was my first study abroad program and because it was such a success I know I will be looking into many more."

"It is a wonderful experience. I have been on five previous study abroad programs. This is the best!"

"The time I spent in the field in New Zealand was far more valuable than I could have ever hoped for."

"I learned more in this experience than any other."

"Provided a good mix of activity and study."