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Andrea Young

Student Profile

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Andrea Young

Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand, Spring 2005
Animal Bioscience/Biology

I decided to study abroad because I wanted to experience another culture and learn in a different environment. I understood how PSU's classes were conducted, and it was great to become exposed to a new form of instruction and grading. I chose New Zealand because of the small size of the country and its beautiful landscape. The country is very agricultural and a great place for biologists, geologists, and ecologists to conduct research due to the vast differences in habitats.

Studying abroad is a great way to travel and allows one to see the United States from a world view. It broadens your horizons, both academically and socially. The best gain from studying abroad was the new friends that I made in New Zealand . Kiwis, native New Zealanders, are for the most part, extremely nice people. By travelling you meet a lot of interesting and different people. I also had friends from Germany , Sweden , Norway , and Canada . I loved talking to them and discussing our cultural differences. My favorite thing about New Zealand was the ability to travel around the country so quickly and see so many different landscapes. It is a hikers, (tramping as the Kiwis say) dream.

I took four biology classes (called papers in New Zealand) and one music class at Vic. That is a pretty heavy load for their academic system, but I had some Kiwi friends taking even more papers. I took two upper level 300 papers, our 400 level physiology, and genes and genomes. These papers were challenging, but I enjoyed both of them. All of my papers were taught by more than one professor, and I did enjoy some instructors over others. The grading scale is different, which took some getting used to. I also took an ecology paper and field ecology trip paper. Those two papers went together and the field ecology paper was amazing. I learned a lot about New Zealand 's landscape in the terms of its vegetation, soils, geological formations, and wildlife. I would definitely recommend this paper to any science students studying abroad. I made some of my closed Kiwi friends during this trip and the hands-on educational style was, for me, a better learning environment.

When choosing where to study, make sure that the institution you wish to attend has classes or papers that interest you and will fit into your major. I had already taken most of my general education courses, so I sat down with my advisor and figured out the classes I would need to count for my degree. Location was a huge aspect in my choice of New Zealand as a study abroad site, but I had talked to other people and visited the University's website to note Vic's strong biological sciences department. A large majority of students pick education abroad universities mostly or only on location. You will be taking classes in the country you choose, and a semester at a university that doesn't suit your needs or that you struggle with for other reasons can down shadow the whole experience. Also, make sure to travel as much as you can. I have found that most science students, me included, are very motivated academically. Don't spend all your time with your head in a book; meet new people and see the countryside (including the locals). Along with meeting new people, don't be afraid to leave your "American friend group." While I was in New Zealand , most the Penn State students and other Americans tended to stick together. You can hang out with PSU friends back at home, get out and meet the locals!