Study Abroad at Lincoln University, New Zealand

I came for two semesters from Oregon State University. As a non traditional student (ie. almost 60, first bachelors, full time job, full time seasonal business, full time distance learner at OSU, cats etc), I made the decision to come for a year as the only way I could do this was to close down my life as I knew it in the US. It has been a steep learning curve because this was the first time I had ever set foot on a college campus (I was a 100% distance learner through OSU Ecampus) and I had to relearn an entire new set of study skills.

I will be completing my undergrad at Lincoln in Agricultural Science, Range Management at the end of June 2019. Because of the exposure I got here, I discovered an entire area I was unaware existed and have developed a PhD thesis statement, have backing and interests from several companies as well as university staff, and it doesn't hurt that the company I work for is behind me 100%. But first I have to do a research master's as my undergrad was not research related. My plans are to continue on starting in January 2020 with a master's and then a PhD, working here in New Zealand or moving on to perhaps the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome Italy. None of this would have happened in the US. Something else would have, but not this.

And it all started because I said yes to this opportunity and then took a summer scholarship here at Lincoln no one else wanted.

The only downside is the cost of living is expensive here. Living on campus is very expensive (I was paying more for campus housing than I was paying in the states for a 2 bedroom farm house with a 1/2 acre and utilities). As for the night life, that wasn't really my thing but I have met some great people, gone and seen a lot of great things and am really have a ton of support for my goals.

The only other thing that is an issue is the cost for international students post grad master's. It is why students from the US don't come here, but will come to do a PhD, which is inexpensive. This needs to change if Lincoln wants to attract more US post grads.

Come, have fun, enjoy all that New Zealand has to offer and always say yes.

This is an amazing thing to study here, totally different experience compared with studying in China both from academic’s perspective or lifestyle’s perspective! People here always kind and helpful, although sometimes I miss my home,I still very appreciate this chance, giving me a chance to feel the different culture and atmosphere, now l have came here for three months, I came to queenstown and tekapo, it’s so so beautiful,i can’t believe that if i don’t see it in my eyes, the studying life is also different, assignment and thesis is different,but luckily so far so good, the teaching way gives me another idea to think, to learn, so totally I love here, if I have chance in the future,maybe i will come back to continue my study. Thanks for everyone here who helps me

Studying here is interesting and make me happy, but sometimes i am confused and need more support and tolerance.I like the life in New Zealand and i want to go to more places in New Zealand. besides,the air and the environment here is great.however, sometimes i met some people who were really unkind and unhelpful.but that does't matter.i will still love here.in Lincoln university,there usually was BBQ and some activities,which were really good.i think i will miss here after go back.

As an exchange student here, I came to lincoln just one semester, also, it's my first time to go abroad. I think this period of time could be one of my best memories of college time. I feel it is pretty worth well that the efforts that I put into learning English ever before. Thanks to my parents' wise decision ( they strongly agree that I should come out of my own country and have a look at the outer world) . I could be able to achieve so much in Lincoln, no matter in study or in friendship. Also, I still want to continue my postgraduate study here. Hope things would also works well at that time. Last but not least, I will highly recommend lincoln University to my friends in China !

I studies marketing at China Agricultural University. I chose marketing, finance, and accounting courses when I exchanged at Lincoln University. The exchange course is very free, and I can choose according to my own interests and future development direction. Here, I found out that I really like accounting and decided to continue studying at the graduate level. I am also very grateful for the open-door policy here. The gap between the teacher and the student is very small. You can make multiple appointments to get help from the teacher. This is very important for the course. I live on self-catered flats in campus, which is the choice of most exchange students. I have met friends from all over the world. I have not made me feel that I am a foreigner. I can't get involved here. We share food, party, study together, and agree to travel to each other's country in the future. At the same time, New Zealand is a very beautiful country, I also travel as much as possible, here I found a place completely different from my home country and fell in love with it.

I studies marketing at China Agricultural University. I chose marketing, finance, and accounting courses when I exchanged at Lincoln University. The exchange course is very free, and I can choose according to my own interests and future development direction. Here, I found out that I really like accounting and decided to continue studying at the graduate level. I am also very grateful for the open-door policy here. The gap between the teacher and the student is very small. You can make multiple appointments to get help from the teacher. This is very important for the course. I live on self-catered flats in campus, which is the choice of most exchange students. I have met friends from all over the world. I have not made me feel that I am a foreigner. I can't get involved here. We share food, party, study together, and agree to travel to each other's country in the future. At the same time, New Zealand is a very beautiful country, I also travel as much as possible, here I found a place completely different from my home country and fell in love with it.

I spend one Semester during my Master programme at the Lincoln University in Christchurch, New Zealand. We were housed in student homes on Campus, four of us in one house. The houses were simple but cozy and sufficiently equipped. During the cold months we needed quite a bit of heating since the houses weren't perfectly insulated and a little old, but overall it was great to share the house and the area with so many other students. The Lincoln University has a lot to offer for exchange students, the houses we were staying in (our "halls") had the chance to participate in a lot different Group activities and we bonded as a great family over the semester.

Additionally there is sports on Campus where everyone can join for a small amount of money and visit different courses or use the gym.

The classes were all on an appropriate level of teaching. The lecturers even cared especially for their students. This is for once due to the small size of the classes and also due to their personal dedication. I have never again felt so taken care of in a Uni.

The overall support was mostly perfectly taken care of, it was only a bit confusing at the beginning because I arrived a day after the official beginning and therefore missed a lot of introduction.

I do recommens this Uni to everyone who plans to to study abroud and this country to everyone who wants to travel. The people are down-to-earth and willingly show you their culture and in half a year I have never experienced any hostility.

Last year I studied abroad in New Zealand. When I now tell you about my experiences, I want to look away from all school stuff and rather focus on emotions because I’m just that kind of a person, sorry.

I read about an employer once who said that he would rather see people’s travel photos than their grades, and that is one of the loveliest things I have read. The grades we get on the exams are most of all a result of last-minute intense studying of things we will forget a year later anyway. But the things you learn from travelling and exploring the world are things you never forget.

I was terrified when I left. All of the new, weird and stressful things that happened was enough to freak me out, especially when I woke up after the first night in New Zealand and realised that my lung had collapsed. Oh well. Shit happens, but I survived, and I have become a braver person than I was before.

During the months I spent abroad I have created some of my best memories. I have gone kayaking, swum in glacier water and in hot springs, lived on a sheep farm and spent days and nights in the beautiful nature – waterfalls, turquoise water, mountains and long beaches. Last, but not least, I have met amazing people that have changed my life forever.

So what have I learned? Yes, I have learned something about phylogeny and legumes and invasion of pampas grass, but most importantly I have learned how to be a better human being. I don’t think I can ever be the same again, and I don’t want to either.

That’s why I recommend everyone to study abroad. Not for the academic’s sake, but for your own personal development.