Studying abroad is a life-changing experience! It offers the opportunity to explore new cultures, make international friends, and gain a world-class education. I choose to study abroad at the University of Auckland in Aotearoa (New Zealand), and so far it has been wonderful. If you are interested in studying abroad at UoA or in Aotearoa, it is essential to complete a couple of necessary tasks before embarking on this exciting journey. Here are some of the Pre-Departure steps I took to ensure a smooth transition and to help maximize your study abroad experience: 

1. Apply and Secure Admission

Once you get accepted into the MIX program, the next step is to apply to your partner university. The MIX program provided me with information on how to apply to the University of Auckland through the Certificate of Proficiency for Exchange (COPEX). After completing the rest of my application and providing an official transcript I submitted the online application for review. My admission decision took around three weeks, but processing times vary due to the number of applicants. 

2. Apply for Accommodation

You do not have to be an admitted student at UoA to apply for accommodations. All exchange students are guaranteed on-campus accommodation as long as they apply before the deadline. I applied on the same day as the application opened. The form is relatively brief but there are some short-answer questions about lifestyle and preferences. Exchange students don’t have a ton of options for accommodation at UoA and there is no catered housing (no meal hall or dining plan). I applied for Carlaw Park - Nicholls and I am very happy with my choice. 

3. Buying Flights

Once I was accepted at UoA and had my accommodation confirmed. I purchased my ticket to Auckland! If you are flying out of Honolulu, I have good news and bad news. The good news is that both Hawaiian and Air New Zealand fly direct to Auckland. The bad news is that there is not a flight every day. You should plan your flight around your move-in/orientation date. My original flight was supposed to arrive three days before the exchange student orientation. This would have allowed me enough time to move in, adjust my sleep schedule, and relax before classes began. 

4. Health Insurance and Medical Check-ups

Health insurance is mandatory for all international students in Aotearoa. Unfortunately, you need to purchase insurance from both UH Mānoa and UoA. The insurance through UH Mānoa is not on the list of approved outside insurance, and therefore you must purchase the one recommended by the University of Auckland as well. I believe my total insurance costs for the semester (5 Months) were around USD 500. 

5. Finances and Banking

Familiarize yourself with the NZD and the conversion rate back to USD. Luckily during my travels, the conversion rate was around NZD 1 to USD 1.60. Aotearoa is also a relatively cashless economy. At least in Auckland, contactless payments are STRONGLY preferred (Paywave, Applepay, and Tap). I have a credit card with no international fees, but if you donʻt want to use credit. I recommend getting a local bank account with one of the major banks in Aotearoa. 

6. Apply for a Student Visa

Familiarize yourself with what documents you’ll need to apply for a Student Visa and start gathering them as soon as possible. You can apply online, but it can be a lengthy process. It took me around two weeks to gather all of my documents and information. Once I submitted my application, my Visa outcome was decided in three weeks. The processing times are relatively short but depend on the number of applications and complexity. 

7. Enroll in Classes/Course Petition Form

Enroll as soon as possible. Some of the more popular Marketing and Business courses tend to fill up fast. If you don’t have the prerequisites for a specific course, you need to apply for a concession. Concessions can take up to 2-3 weeks to be processed, so I recommend applying earlier. There are different types of classes at UoA and most papers (classes), consist of a lecture and a separate tutorial. Attendance is not required for lectures, as most will be recorded due to class conflicts. Attendance for tutorials is required. Tutorials are similar to labs at UH Mānoa and are smaller sections where you go over the material in depth. 

Unfortunately, UoA is not a pre-approved travel destination, so you need to complete a course petition form with a detailed syllabus for each class to get credit from UH Mānoa. Fulltime at UoA is 60pts or 4 classes per semester. 

8. Research Aotearoa’s Culture and Customs

Take the time to learn more about New Zealand’s culture, customs, and etiquette. Understanding local traditions can help you adapt more smoothly and show respect to the community. 

9. Packing and Travel Prep

Semester Two for the University of Auckland runs from July-November. July is WINTER in Aotearoa, and it’s the coldest month of the year. Pack your clothes according to the weather, and make sure you have a WARM jacket and a RAIN jacket. 

10. Connect with Other Students

Connect with any other UH Mānoa students before your departure and join online forums or social media groups for incoming students at UoA. Connecting with others can help ease any pre-travel jitters and give you a little extra support from peers once you're on campus.