OT question about study abroad

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NancyNY
NancyNY Member Posts: 67
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

I know there are many women from around the world on this board.  I'm wondering if anybody knows anything about studying abroad in auckland New zealand. My kid is going in January, and, I'm really nervous about having him so far away.  Anybody have any info?

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited December 2008

    Are you sure you want to know?  My now 26-year old did a 6-week environmental studies trip to New Zealand and Australia when he was a college sophomore.  Wonderful, fun-loving people, but a lot of daredevil behavior, from bungee jumping off 500' bridges to speedboat racing down narrow gorges. Almost heart-stopping stuff for this mother to later see on video.  I was so glad I didn't know about it ahead of time.  But there's nothing like studying abroad to mature and enrich a child, so I am still completely in favor of it.    Deanna

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  • NancyNY
    NancyNY Member Posts: 67
    edited December 2008

    Thanks for answering so quickly Deanna.  My son already informed me it is "the extreme sport capitol of the world."  Ever since breast cancer, I feel more over protective of him, but I don't let him see that.  He's going for 6 months and it just seems so long.    Nancy

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  • jezza
    jezza Member Posts: 698
    edited December 2008

    Hi Nancy....I'm from Aust. We have lots of New Zealand members on our breast cancer forum here. What do you want to know?

     I could post and ask for you.

    I am going to New Zealand in Feb.

    I can tell you one thing...he'll be very popular with the girls with that cute American accent...or maybe you didn't want to hear that either....LOL!

    He'll have a ball.

    jezza

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  • NancyNY
    NancyNY Member Posts: 67
    edited December 2008

    Hi Jeeza,.....It would be great if you could do some asking for me.  I'm not even sure what I want to know, just that he'll be safe, and have a good experience.   He's already informed me New Zealand is the extreme sports capitol of the world and he wants to try them all.  I just hope they are safe.  I'm probably just extra nervous.  I don't know if it was your experience, but since getting breast cancer, I feel as if anything can happen at any time.  I"m hoping this makes sense to you.Smile

    Thanks in advance,  Nancy 

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  • jezza
    jezza Member Posts: 698
    edited December 2008

    Of course it makes sense...just posted on our board for the New Zealanders..think there are a few on this board too.

     How old is your son? How long will he be in New Zealand for?

    It is a beautiful country but I know how you feel..its a long way from you. My 18 year old would like to continue his music studies in America some day.........

    Friends of mine have daughters who have gone to France to study and they have learnt so much and matured so much from their experience.

    Will keep in touch.

    jezza

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  • NancyNY
    NancyNY Member Posts: 67
    edited December 2008

    My son is 20 but a slightly spacey 20.  He will be in New Zealand for 6 months from Jan. through June.  I really do think it is a life changing experience and a wonderful opportunity for him, but I just would like to know as much as possible. 

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  • Rainenz
    Rainenz Member Posts: 93
    edited December 2008

    Hi Nancy

     I live in New Zealand and am sure you have nothing to worry about Your boy will have a great time here.  Yes we do have some extreme sports over here but they have very strict safety guidelines that they follow. I have even been on a flying fox ride into a gorge.

     Let me know what you want to know and I will try and answer your questions

    Raine 

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  • Rainenz
    Rainenz Member Posts: 93
    edited December 2008

    Hi Nancy

     I live in New Zealand and am sure your son will have a great time over here.  Yes we do have some extreme sports here but they have very strict safety regulations in place making them as safe as possible.  The main ones are several hours drive away from where your son will be.  I myself have been on a giant flying fox that travels about a mile through a gorge. Scary but fun at the same time.

     He will make some great friends and broaden his outlook on life.

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  • NancyNY
    NancyNY Member Posts: 67
    edited December 2008

    Thanks Rainenz!  It makes me feel better knowing they have very strict safety regulations.  He's so excited he's jumping out of his skin.

     By the way do you know what zorbing(sp) or zoving(sp) is?  He said something about getting inside a ball and rolling down a hill?  He said "apparently everybody zorbs in New Zealand."?? 

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  • Rainenz
    Rainenz Member Posts: 93
    edited December 2008

    Hi Nancy

    A zorb is like a giant blow up beach ball, which is double layered the outer is filled with air and the inner where you get in. and not everyone does it. Here is a link showing you zorbing it also has links to other activities.

    www.newzealandnz.co.nz/activities/zorbing.html 

    Hope this helps

    Raine 

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  • jezza
    jezza Member Posts: 698
    edited December 2008

    Hi nancy.....I have lots of replies posted from New Zealanders (they are a friendly bunch) and I know Rainenz...have met her personally. Its a small world isn't it!!

    I will try to PM the replies to you.

    Also another NZ lady asked for her email address to be sent to you. She went on exchange to the states when she was 16...so I think she would be a good person to reassure you!

    Hugs

    jezza

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  • jezza
    jezza Member Posts: 698
    edited December 2008

    Have sent 2  messages...read the second one first.....

    jezza

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  • junie
    junie Member Posts: 1,216
    edited December 2008

    Nancy--cannot comment on New Zealand--but the university exchange program in general.   We had two kids who were university exchange students to a sister university in France.   It was a wonderful experience for both--plus, I got a couple extra trips to Europe to visit them!!!!   It is scary to have your kids so far away and you will worry about your son--but, he will have experiences that will help shape his future.

    Swallow your fears and give him a big hug at the airport--and, as you say, "see you later..."  stick a couple extra bucks in his pocket!!

    junie

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited December 2008

    I know how you feel.  My 16 yo son went home for the summer with an exchange student from Norway who had been here for a year.  The language barrier was the most difficult for him, and he did become homesick, but I think that was mostly his age.

    My daugh's college highly recommended a semester abroad and her best friend chose London.  It was a terriffic experience for her.  My daughter chose DC for the semester instead of Europe but then she's been to Europe several times since.

    Hang in there Mom, It's rough on you, but you must have done a good job with him if he qualifies for this experience.

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  • NancyNY
    NancyNY Member Posts: 67
    edited January 2009

    Thank you to everyone who took the time to reply.  We just returned from 5 days in San Francisco which ended with us seeing him off to New Zealand at the airport. I cried when he left, but not in front of him.  Understandably he was extremely excited to go.  I can't believe he is there now.  I am sure he will have an experience of a lifetime, and we are planning to visit him at some point.  Can anybody recommend any good hotels in Auckland near the University?  You ladies are the best.

    Hugs,

    Nancy 

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  • jezza
    jezza Member Posts: 698
    edited January 2009

    Hi nancy! Thanks for the PM..I will paste it on the Aussie site.

    Its great that you are planning to visit him.

    Let us know how he goes...and what he thinks of NZ.

    Well done for not crying in front of him!!

    I just know he will have a great time.

    jezza

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  • NancyNY
    NancyNY Member Posts: 67
    edited January 2009

    Well, I heard from my son, and so far he loves NZ.  Says the whether and people are both awesome.  He doesn't have internet yet, guess it doesn't come with the room so they have to set it up.  He starts classes Monday, which may have already happened given the time difference.  But, I still have to say, six months seems like such a long time.     Nancy

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  • peeps1111
    peeps1111 Member Posts: 262
    edited February 2009

    Hi:

    My niece just left for NZ.  My sister is a nervous wreck.  Anyone live near Wellington?  I'd just like to be able to tell my sister that I know someone there in case she has any questions?

    Thanks.

    Peeps

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  • jezza
    jezza Member Posts: 698
    edited March 2009

    Hi nancy!

    I have just come back from New Zealand and it really is awesome! Lots of student activity as it was orientation week while I was there and the students were having a ball!!

    I went to both Aukland and Wellington peeps if you are reading this. All the people I met there were very friendly and helpful.

    It is an amazing country,very clean and with beautiful scenery. I'm sure the kids will love it.

    jezza

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  • NancyNY
    NancyNY Member Posts: 67
    edited March 2009

    My son is having a great time.  He would like to stay longer than 6months.   The people are very friendly, and everyone is extremely helpful, and he says happy.  Judging from the pictures he posted on line it's also beautiful.  We are going to visit him in April so I get to see for myself. 

     Any suggestions of tours to take from Auckland?

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