Name of the University:
Names of the students:
Exchange semester:
Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
Krisztina Horvath
Spring 2008
1. ACADEMIC INFORMATION
General Information about the School
The AUT Wellesley (City) Campus is located in the city centre of Auckland only 5 – 10 minutes
away from sights such as Albert Park, Queen Street, the Viaduct Harbour, Skytower and the
Auckland Domain.
You have access to everything you need at campus including bookstore, food court, gym,
student bar (Vesbar), and health and student services.
The university has many faculties whereas most of them have their own building either at
Wellesley Campus in the City or Akoronga Campus on North Shore. The Business School
building (WF Building) is located at the Wellesley Campus in a new modern building from 2005.
Classes are in classrooms with a capacity of approximately 30 students.
The Business School is one of the largest faculties at AUT with 4 400 full-time students where
most of them are undergraduate students. There is about 20 – 30 exchange students each
semester but the number of international students is even higher.
For more information about the Business School and its structure:
http://www.aut.ac.nz/resources/schools/business/faculty_overview/busoverview07_web.pdf
The Teaching situation
The courses are taught in English and there was no problem understanding the professors during
lectures. However, some of the lecturers have heavy accents.
The level of study in the Bachelor Programme is approximately the same as BI although the
workload during the semester with compulsory assignments, quizzes and mid-term exams is
bigger at AUT. The teaching is primarily theoretical but there are some case studies or problem
solving in most classes. The fact that the teaching is more classroom-based than lectures makes
the relationships between the professors and students more casual. The students are seated at
round tables in the classrooms which encourage both social and professional interaction and
cooperation.
Required Literature
The required literature is in English and the books are New Zealand, Australian or American. The
level of the literature is the same as at BI and some of the text books were actually the same
ones.
The exams are primarily based on the lectures by guiding what parts are most important, but
detailed knowledge from own reading is expected. Problems from the textbooks were used in
calculative classes where the lecturer only gives the solutions to the recommended problems to
be solved.
Exams
The overall result in the courses is based on individual/group assignments and presentations,
mid-term exams and the final exams (counting 50 % out of 100 %). The grading scale is quite
different from the one at BI so it requires less knowledge and abilities to pass and get good
results at AUT.
Other
The library is located in the middle of the Wellesley Campus and is a little bigger than the BI
Library. There are many facilities such as silent study desks, group study rooms, computer labs
and printing options in the library. There is easy access to all the resources but group study
rooms and computer labs tend to get busy and it is recommended to book them in advance.
AUT Online is an internet portal where the lecturers post all their Power Point presentations and
other course material and information. Most professors use IT in terms of PP presentations and
online quizzes/discussions, but they also communicate important information through AUT
Online.
Description of Courses
Course name:
Examination
366602 Management Accounting
Mid-term (35%), Online Quizzes (15%), Final Written (50%)
396002 Corporate Finance
Mid-term (30%), Group Assign. (20%), Final Written (50%)
466645 HRM
Ind. Essay(35%), Group Present. (15%), Final Written (50%)
486665 Negotiation
Ind. Essay(30%), In-class quizzes(20%), Final Written (50%)
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. PRACTICAL INFORMATION ON THE SCHOOL AND THE EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE
Information before you left
I received an informal acceptance e-mail in August and the information package with the formal
acceptance letter arrived in October/November.
Roger Stokell, the exchange coordinator at AUT sent very useful information about insurance,
Visa Application, course enrollments and accommodation frequently through e-mail. He is very
helpful and approachable. His e-mail is: roger.stokell@aut.ac.nz
Visa Procedure and travel experiences
Information about the Study Visa was sent by Roger Stokell through e-mail. The application and
guidelines can be downloaded from: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/study/
The application, together with the passport and other appendices, had to be sent to the New
Zealand embassy in The Hague, Netherlands. The visa was 120 EURO and the process was
fairly easy and convenient.
I got my around the world ticket from STA Travel and I am very satisfied in terms of the good deal
I got and the convenience of having a STA Travel office in Auckland. I recommend everyone to
travel before and after the exchange 
Academic Calendar
My arrival date was February 22nd. The official Orientation Week was 3rd – 14th of March however
the International and Exchange orientation started 25th of February with registration, lunch, etc.
The first day of semester was 3rd of March and the last day of classes was 12 weeks later 6th of
June. The examination period was from 11th – 27th of June. There was a two-week mid-semester
break from the 17th of April – 3rd of May.
The
academic
calendar
can
be
downloaded
http://www.aut.ac.nz/about/news_and_information/academic_calendar/
from:
Reception
Roger Stokell was given the details of my arrival and he explained all the options on arrival. I was
picked up by some friends but it can be arranged that someone from AUT picks you up. I was to
register at Roger Stokell as soon as possible to get my student ID card and all other relevant
information. The international office at the Business School was very prepared and the arranged
a business lunch for the exchange students alone at Skytower.
The International Office at AUT was also prepared with different events for International
Students. The students at AUT were not as involved compared to Fadderullan at BI.
Housing
I had to find my own housing but Roger sent an information e-mail about all my options and
recommendations. I decided to stay at Wellesley Student Apartments on campus since it is
convenient in terms of its location and there are many students living here. The standard is pretty
good and 4 – 5 students share one apartment with normally 2 bathrooms.
http://www.aut.ac.nz/students/student_services/accommodation_services/aut_accommodation/w
ellesley_student_apartments.htm
Costs
The rent at WSA is depending on the room size but the standard room is $ 183 per week.
Books were at the same price as in Norway but used books can be bought cheaper at Volume
One bookstore next to campus or through students (check the notice boards in the Business
Building).
All other living and recreation expenses are less than in Norway.
The International Office
There is both an AUT International Office and an International Exchange Office at the Business
School. Roger Stokell from the Business School International Office is responsible for incoming
exchange students. Roger Stokell sent most of the information; however the AUT International
Office (ISSS) is also very helpful.
Social Activities
It is very easy to meet and get to know other students through O-Week and International Student
events. I got to know both local and international students from all around the world. There is
always something happening either at WSA or events hosted by AuSM (Auckland Student
Movement, the student organization at AUT). We had the time of our lives in Auckland 
Culture and Language
I did not have any problems with the language and I feel like my English developed at the same
time as I learned about the New Zealand and other countries cultures.
The ISSS are having Noho Marea in the beginning of the semester, which is an event for
international students hosted by the Maoris at AUT. It was a lot of fun learning about the Maori
culture and meeting even more international students.
New Zealand is best experienced through road trips. It is easy to rent a car with fellow students
and drive around both the North and South island experiencing fantastic nature, amazing people
and a lot of activities such as bungee jumping, skydiving, white and black water rafting, etc. It is
very recommendable to travel to the Pacific Islands and explore the world down-under!
Cultural and Social Effects from the Exchange Experience
I learned a lot and got to admire the New Zealand (and especially the Maori) Culture. What I
appreciate even more is the cultural diversity of my new friends from both New Zealand and all
around the world. I learned a lot about myself and developed friendships for life. The whole
exchange experience was amazing and I had the time of my life 
For future career possibilities an exchange will do nothing but improve your possibilities. It shows
that you are independent, and understand cultures and cultural bonds in an increasingly
international world.
Names and e-mails:
Krisztina Horvath
kristina_horvath@hotmail.com
Do not hesitate to get in touch  I would love to share my experiences and tell more about it!