ANR: 674005
Name: Cosima von Meer
E-mail: cosivmeer@hotmail.de
Exchange semester: Fall 2014
Academic year: 3
Host University: Victoria University of Wellington
Country: New Zealand
Victoria University of Wellington is situated in the city center of Wellington.
Wellington is generally a pretty hilly area and the Kelburn campus (Social
Sciences, etc.) is on a hill in the northwest part of the capitol. There are two more
campuses (Law and Arts), which are closer to the port and coastline and
therefore more in the actual city center. From the Kelburn Campus one has an
amazing view of the city and the harbor with blue water and hills in the
background. The Kelburn Campus is a pretty big campus with different buildings
and many lecture rooms. Moreover, one has several food options on campus, as
for example a sushi place, cafeterias (best coffees ever as Wellington is known to
be the coffee capitol of New Zealand), and some other food stands (e.g. Hari
Krishna food). The University also offers a sport facility that is close to campus
and cheaper than other gyms in Wellington. They have a Volleyball and Handball
team, as well as Badminton and other sportive activities. Wellington is the
capitol of New Zealand and as there are only 4 million people living in the whole
country in the first place, it could be said that Wellington is culturally the most
exciting city. It has a huge museum at the waterfront, other art exhibitions and
museums, it has a great and extensive party scene (apart from the many flat
parties there are anyways), people like to skateboard, hike in the many big parks
and natural reserves, walk up Mount Victoria to get a great view of the city, go to
cafes, restaurants and bars in the center (especially Cuba street), go to the sites
where Lord of the Rings was filmed, learn Kayaking and other water sports, or go
climbing indoors. There are endless opportunities for everyone in the city and it
has a really alternative and cool scene. The city is a thousand times more exciting
and beautiful than Tilburg, to make it short.
The University was also quite different than Tilburg University in it’s teaching
style and structure. I took three courses (first and second year courses) that
were all taught three times a 50 minutes per week, as well as having tutorials or
research labs once every week. On top of that, one could join the study groups
that were formed by classmates or join the Facebook group for each course
(where the teacher would also sometimes be a member of). All in all, the
professors and everyone are very open to questions and they love to help. The
courses I took were all very interesting, interactive, diverse, and informative. In
one of my courses, for example, we watched a documentary or other short
movies about a specific topic once every week.
I received the pre-arrival information in late June and classes already started in
mid July. I thought it was enough time but I did also think that the organization
from the sides of Tilburg University was a little late in general. The host
university could not have sent me information and approvals earlier. Anyways,
the host university is very open to any problems you might encounter and
respond immediately to your questions and requests. The Kiwis are generally
very helpful and kind people.
It took me three weeks to arrange for my Visa because in Germany New Zealand
does not have an embassy, which meant all my documents had to be send by an
office in Hamburg to London, in order to get my Visa approved. It goes fast in the
end anyways, so I wouldn’t worry too much. However, the Visa is only going to
be until one month after your studies ended in New Zealand. That means they
might give one less than the 6 months one is actually granted. I had the issue that
I got my Passport back from London with the wrong end date of the Visa, even
though I had left them a note saying I need it until at least the end of December.
That created some issues with flight changes etc. but it always works out in the
end. Regarding the arrival, if one will stay in one of the Student accommodations
from University hall, one will be picked up at the airport. I did not get picked up
because I lived with couchsurfers for the first week, so I could find an apartment
while in Wellington.
There was an introduction weekend and several days afterwards for the late
arrivers, where one would receive a welcoming package, as well as meet other
exchange and international students, we were informed about several
opportunities and activities, and there were many activities planned for us, like a
walk to the Red Rocks, or going out to a club, etc. Mostly, students of Victoria
University ran the information stands. One could also apply for a buddy program,
where you would be assigned a student (you can choose if rather male or female)
who helps you with any kind of questions and might take you around. I did not
have that but I heard mixed stories about it.
I did not organize accommodation beforehand with the university because I
wanted to see the places before I would agree to one. The University has a
UniHall branch that organizes accommodation for exchange and other students.
It is apartments in house blocks as well as Student halls or houses that are
offered as accommodation. Moreover, one can find Kiwi flat mates that are
searching for a new flat mate on Facebook pages (Vic Flatmates Wanted).
Otherwise, it will be difficult to find housing on your own because most
landlords want you to have at least a one-year contract.
I financed the exchange with saved up money plus the money I received from
Tilburg University. All in all, it is definitely much more expensive in New Zealand
than it is in the Netherlands. Most of my money went to accommodation, food
and going out. The prices for accommodation may vary between 150 to 250 NZD
per week. Moreover, one can visit the fruit and vegetable market every Sunday in
order to make food expenses a bit cheaper. Going out at night requires you to
drink beforehand because the prices for drinks in bars and clubs are so high. One
doesn’t need to use transportation in Wellington because everything is ‘by foot’
distance. Books were pretty expensive but you can resell them or just not buy
them in the first place. I am sure that teachers and staff would be very helpful if
you had any issue of paying for books.
Trimester 2 in VUW begins Mid July and ends in Mid November. The arrival and
welcoming date of the international students will of course be before the official
start of the academic trimester, which means it will take place in the beginning of
July. The last day of classes depends on your courses but the exam period is over
on the 15th of November.
There is an international office and every time I needed help I could go there and
receive all the help needed for my questions. However, I have not visited the
International office more than twice because I did not need much more guidance.
The information that one received in the Welcoming package was sufficient for
me.
There are several social activities that are organized by the university for
exchange and international students. Some of the activities was a city tour with
some Victoria students, a trip to a couple of tourist attractions, and get together
in the campus café where a student association of Polynesian students
performed their native dance, as well as a Kayaking course, and probably other
activities that I didn’t take notice of. In general, I had only little contact to local
students except for in class, and much more contact with all the internationals.
On my own, I tried to travel pretty much the whole country in a camper and I did
trips during my studies on the weekends or simply in the week when you could
miss a few lectures.
When I arrived to Wellington, I could immediately feel the difference between
the Dutch and the Kiwi culture. I am German myself, and therefore it might be a
bit difficult to distinguish between what the differences are only between the
Netherlands and New Zealand, but I might take in some of my German culturally
formed traits. The Kiwi culture is very leaned back, practically oriented, and
super open and friendly. I have never met so many helpful and open people. Most
of the Kiwis appreciate their country and the beautiful preserved nature, so they
are very interested in hearing about what you think of their homeland and
where you are from, etc. Moreover, the Kiwis are super relaxed and the
atmosphere in the whole country is really like that. One big difference I felt
between the Kiwis and me was that they are going for the ‘Trial and Error’ way,
where if they encounter an issue, the Kiwis will simply try out some solutions
and see if it works. I, on the other hand, as a typical German, like to plan things
ahead and then try out what I reckon to be the best solution. It is a completely
different way of problem solving. I have learnt much from their way. Also, the
Kiwis obviously have a very interesting culture concerning their natives, the
Maoris. It is a relatively well-preserved culture (not really, but in comparison to
the Native Indians and Aborigines) and you can encounter the influences of the
Western as well as Indigenous cultures everywhere.
To make the Personal development part as concise as possible: The most
surprising and significant thing I learnt while abroad in New Zealand is, that I
want to live there in the future. Already now I feel that the exchange has changed
me of course. I have made new experiences and learnt from the challenges I was
faced with. However, I guess everyone who went to any other country would be
able to say the same, because to do an exchange and to live in another country
with completely different customs and culture is a very important lesson for
your future development. Not only does one learn how well one can adapt to any
situation and how well one can deal with the challenges faced with, but your
exchange will also equip one with relevant international skills and give you great
new opportunities. All in all, an exchange in general is something everyone
should take advantage of, and one to New Zealand is going to amaze you for sure.
During my exchange I took three classes: Ethics & International Affairs
(Philosophy and Politics); Social and Cultural Diversity (Anthropology); and
Social Psychology that are equivalent to 24 ECTS. All of them were taught in
English and one can definitely observe the difference in the English level
between TlU and VUW. The English is not difficult to understand but the
professors use more Academic English and diversify more through using
synonyms etc. I thought it was a really good way to learn to express oneself
better in English. Regarding the courses, I took these because I study Liberal Arts
and Sciences here in Tilburg, majoring in Business and Management. I thought
the courses I took were all very interesting and educative. The level of the
courses is relatively easy, even though there are many more lectures to attend
(mostly, because one lecture is only 50 minutes long). Also, the courses were all
very diverse and mixed in their teaching style. For instance, they all included
tutorials or research labs in smaller groups. In addition, the professors used
visual aids like Video clips, for example. The lectures are mostly very full but the
Kiwis love to be interactive and ask questions anyways. The workload for the
courses is doable and I would say less than it is in Tilburg University.
Furthermore, the courses are a perfect mix between theoretical knowledge and
practical examples and applications. The assignments I had to do for all my
courses were for me the most interesting because one would dive deeper into a
topic or case.
I had to sit one written exam for my Anthropology class, apart from the two
assignments for that one. The exam consisted of a multiple choice and of an open
questions part. For the Psychology course I had to do small weekly assignments,
as well as three tests, and finally two main assignments. The course in
Philosophy/Politics consisted of three surprise tests, and two big assignments.
The library is open to anyone and until late which adds to the view that one can
enjoy from up there (it is amazing!). There are public computers available but I
used them once. I thought it was pretty full everywhere on campus most of the
time. People do not only sit in the library but scatter all over campus.
Courses:
1. PHIL264: Ethics & International Affairs – BA second year; 40 pts or 12
ECTS in Philosophy or Politics; 100% internal assessment; 20 points or 6
ECTS; Super interesting course as it inquires topics as war and just-war
theory, humanitarian aid and intervention, nationalism and state-hood. It
discusses many relevant political and international happenings.
2. PSYC221: Social Psychology – BA second year; requires a prior
‘Introduction to Psychology’ course; 15 points or 6 ECTS; 100% internal
assessment; Provides a very broad overview of social psychology that
challenges and affirms one’s view of oneself and others as a group. Very
good course.
3. ANTH102: Social and Cultural Diversity – BA first year; no prerequisites;
100% internal assessment; Dives into topics such as ritual, symbolism,
the body, exchange, belief, inequality, globalization, kinship, gender and
class. It is a great course with very nice lecturers and assignments.
I would to 100% recommend to do an exchange to Victoria University of
Wellington in New Zealand. The University is great and has a diverse course
catalogue and many opportunities for fun and education. The country is
simply beautiful and amazing. What the exchange student should never forget
before going on exchange is probably to relax and to be sure that everything
is going to be perfectly fine. I do not have any recommendations to what they
should pay special attention to in preparing because the mistakes you make
are going to be the ones you learn from most. It doesn’t matter what it is, as
long as you know that it always works out in the end.