Study Abroad at Lincoln University, New Zealand

Lincoln University is a really good university. The teachers here are really nice and I can get a lot of help from tutors. I have learnt many things here. But the study is a little hard for me because English is my second language and sometimes it is difficult to understand the words that others said. The homework is hard for me，too. I need to study very hard. But it is worth to do that as I have improved myself a lot.
The activities and scenes here are really nice and I enjoy them. I met many friends，too. During the break this term，I went to Queenstown and Tekapo. The sceneries here are really nice. The food is tasty and delicious, especially the hamburger in Queenstown. I tried sky diving，too. Terrible，but excited. I was stressed all the time, but after I tried it，I felt really good.
So it is a good and challenging experience.

Coming to Lincoln University was a life changing experience. As an avid hiker, photographer, and traveler, at first I was skeptical about going to a school as small as Lincoln University, thinking I would not be able to get out of my studies to go see the country. However, at Lincoln, I met friends and had the support required to get out and see the country as much as I could! Lincoln has such a small-town feel to it, which means that you get to know everyone around you really well; it's like your big University family! I barely missed home, as I had created a home here. Small class sizes mean that you are not a number, and courses may offer field trips - even more incentive to come to this Uni. Lincoln has so many clubs that it is easy to make friends, like the Tramping and Climbing Club, or various International Clubs. LUSA (the student organisation) makes events that involve the entire community, whether it is a concert, an International Food festival, or workshops. Plus, the off-campus life is amazing! We are a 30 min drive/bus from Christchurch, an AWESOME city filled with culture, art and history. We are so close to tramping tracks such as Arthur's Pass and Hamner Springs. It is really easy to rent/buy a car here! Living here is easy, fun and relaxing. I love Lincoln Uni!

I loved studying abroad here at Lincoln! everything was amazing, from the people I met, to the help provided by faculty, the proximity to Christchurch and Arthurs pass and everything in between! This school was small and had a very home environment, I felt welcome and had the support I needed if I needed any! I would recommend this school and New Zealand in a heartbeat! I found buying a car made my experience much better as it allowed me to explore much more of the country than I would have been able to if I did not have a car and had to rely on busses or other people. New Zealand is a great place to come if youre into hiking, fishing or being outdoors in general! Lincoln is so close to Arthurs pass which has so many versatile day hikes and overnight tramps. The fishing in Arthurs pass and New Zealand in general is amazing and the landscape is absolutely stunning anywhere you look!

Flying in to Lincoln i was expecting 3 things. New friendships, exceptional adventures in the wild, and a different perspective on the academic world and my profession in particular. And i got all three of them!

Going away for a semester puts you in a brilliant position to test out your personality in a completely fresh environment. It's surprising how much you can actually gain from this if you stay open and positive towards all the challenges you'll meet. Because you will be met with people and situations different from what you are used to. It'll broaden your perspectives and make you grow as a person.

Academically i have to say that i'm rather disappointed. I was prepared for it to be different, but i really only experience it to be unambitious. The structure of the learning environment seems stuck and doesn't leave much room for the students to be part of the forming of the courses. A critical approach from the students is not embraced, which creates a fake form of authority, which can leave the student rather helpless. Poor decisions are being made on a lot of structural levels, but happens in the classroom as well.
Not to say that all of this has not been useful. I've learned a lot about what it'll say to have a healthy study environment, and made me appreciate my university at home even more.

Taking it easy on the studies have left a lot of room for me to explore the country, which i don't think i'll have to explain much further. It's simply magnificent! Buy a cheap car and get out there!

Lincoln has exceeded my expectations of studying abroad. I have met so many kiwis and international students who I have shared my adventures with over the past few months. Coming from the US, I was glad that I would not have to learn how to speak a new language. However, I enjoyed learning all the different kiwi sayings that always make me smile. Campus is small but pretty especially during the rainy season. I will miss seeing all of my animal friends such as the hen, rabbits, and sheep. Lincoln is 30 minutes from Christchurch and 1 hour from some great tramping spots that are great for weekend trips. I have enjoyed trying New Zealand snacks such as Whittaker's chocolate, Bluebird chips, and pies. Lincoln has become my new home and it will be sad to leave at the end of the semester.

My first impression with Lincoln University was that they were really helpful. The professors helped me a lot with choosing courses, and also the accomodation office arranged for transfer from the airport to my flat. It was a lot of activites the first days and it was easy to get to know people. In general, everybody wants to get to know everybody, so making friends was not a problem. The professors in most of my courses were really helpful, and was good at lecturing. What I was surprised by was how many test, quizzes and assignments you had to do during the semester, but I have learned that it is a good way of continually learning.

I also bought a car with a friend I made the first week, and together we have travelled a lot. I really recommend to buy a car, cause it is way easier to get around then. When the fall and winter came, it got really cold in the flats, so remember to bring some wool and warm clothes!

This opportunity has been a good chance to get to know the dry kiwi humor and make friends with people in flats around you. I don't have a car so it is hard to get out of Lincoln when I want to, but there are still opportunities for travel with the tramping club. Down time for me is most often filled hanging in my flat with friends. Not many places to walk to, but the bus is a great option for getting into Christchurch. I also made friends with a number fo locals who have cars, which makes possible day and weekend trips. Lots of the people from Colorado State University (there are an unexpectedly large number of us here) bought their own cars, which seems like a good move but one that I did not do because it seems like an unnecessary hassle and responsibility. I have found the academics very interesting but much more relaxed than back at CSU which is a very nice change of pace in college.

Lincoln University, situated in the small township Lincoln, near Christchurch has enchanted me with the beautiful campus. Flowers, Trees and NZ Birds dominate the surroundings, and that makes up for the remote place. I love walking around here, being in New Zealand and just enjoying the good and positive vibes the campus but also the staff give me. Kiwis are the most helpful people I have ever met, and that is something I'll miss when I get back to Europe again. I love the commitment and enthusiasm of some of the Lecturers here; the love and passion they carry out to me as a student is unknown. Lincoln has allowed me to dive into the world of wine and made me love it as I do now. It is because of Lincoln that my plan of the future is shaped as it is now, and that is something I will never forget!