2012 HandbookAUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND

1 Preparing to GoMental PreparationLanguage IssuesRecommended Readings and FilmsUseful Websites

2 AcademicsCoursesAcademic Standards

3 The InternshipBoston University Academic Internship Codes

Internship RequirementsInternship Agreement

5 The Internship: Interview ProcessSelf-AssessmentInternship ContractArranging the Initial MeetingPreparation for the InterviewThe Interview

6 The Internship: Living and Working in New ZealandWorkplace GuidelinesA Step Out of Your Comfort ZoneUnderstanding Your Internship Colleagues

8 The Internship: Workplace PortfolioFormatPart 1: Job DescriptionPart 2: Overview and Twice-weekly Reports

Part 3: Work Product and Field Research

Part 4: Analysis and Conclusions

10 The Internship: GradingGrading SystemGrading Penalties

11 The Internship: Setting Goals and Managing ExpectationsExpectationsSetting Goals for the InternshipExtracurricular Goals

14 The Internship: FAQs

15 What to BringHandbooksDocumentsPhones and Phone CardsClothingComputersOther Items

16 Money MattersProgram FeesCash for Arrival and DepartureCurrencyBanking and Money Management Options

17 ArrivalGroup FlightIndependent TravelLate ArrivalOrientationFrequent Flyer Programs

17 HousingUniLodgeRoom AssignmentsRules and RegulationsSafety and Security

18 Life in Auckland and BeyondDining In and Dining OutGetting Around AucklandShoppingNewspapers and Other PublicationsTelevision and RadioEntertainmentAuckland Area Hotels and HostelsExtending Your Stay

19 TravelPlanning to See the CountryUseful Resources

20 Names and Numbers

BU in Auckland

Kia ora, and congratulations on youracceptance to Boston University’s SouthPacific study abroad option, in affiliationwith The University of Auckland and alsowith The AUT University.

We are confident that you will find yourNew Zealand adventure to be intellectuallychallenging, culturally stimulating, andpersonally very rewarding. You will discovera vibrant university life and learn how theEuropean, the Maori, the Pacific Islander,and other international cultures have founda way to thrive together in this distantcorner of the globe. You will experiencesome of the world’s most beautiful sceneryand one of its most diverse and interestinglandscapes. A large array of outdoorrecreational activities awaits you, along withorganized excursions to important destina-tions in New Zealand.

The following pages will help you to preparefor your semester abroad and will also serveas a guide for you once you arrive inAuckland. We urge you to take fulladvantage of the rich opportunities thatNew Zealand offers. Welcome to whatshould prove to be an experience that youwill not soon forget.

Sincerely,

Kevin MartinDirector, BU Auckland

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Preparing to Go

As with any major undertaking such as this one, soundpreparation will reward you with a smoother transition toyour new home. Take time to inform yourself about what liesahead, arrive with a positive attitude, and acquire theinformational tools that will get you off on the right foot.

MENTAL PREPARATIONGet into a good frame of mind in anticipation of your arrivalin Auckland. Although New Zealanders speak English andthings may look remarkably similar on the surface, you willfind that the culture differs significantly from what you areused to in your home country. Prepare yourself for the factthat some of the conveniences you enjoy at home will not bereadily available. The variety of products at the grocery storewill not be so extensive, and the pace of everyday life will bedifferent. Prepare to be accepting of the differences younotice and try to view them simply as an alternative way ofgetting things done, and not as an inferior approach.

Realize also that you may experience emotional ups anddowns, particularly at the beginning of your time in NewZealand. Elation and excitement are as common ashomesickness and feelings of disorientation. Program staffwill be there to help you get through any difficult times.

LANGUAGE ISSUESNew Zealanders speak English, but the Maori language isspoken widely, and Maori terms and phrases appearregularly in everyday usage. Make an effort to master atleast the more common greetings and references in Maori,both as a measure of respect for that culture and tounderstand the sense of what you will be reading in thenewspapers and elsewhere.

North Americans often have a hard time catching on to theNew Zealand accent at first, and this can be an issue in theclassroom. Be prepared to concentrate fully in the earlygoing until you grow accustomed to the local speechpatterns.

RECOMMENDED READINGS AND FILMSWe recommend finding the books through Amazon.com oranother online book supplier.

Strongly Recommended ReadingPrior to arrival in Auckland, all students should read thefollowing text as preparation for SS 315 Aotearoa-NewZealand History, Society, and Politics:

• King, Michael, The Penguin History of New Zealand, Penguin, 2003.

• Sinclair, K., Oxford Illustrated History of New Zealand,Oxford University Press, Auckland, 1992.

• Walker, R.J.I. Ka Whawhai Tonu Matou: Struggle Without End, Penguin, 1990.

Other Recommended Reading• Sinclair, Keith, A History of New Zealand, Penguin Books,

Auckland, 2000.• Bellich, James, Making Peoples: A History of the New

Zealanders, Penguin Books, Auckland, 1996.

Useful Words and PhrasesThe following are some examples of usefulwords and phrases, both in English and inMaori, all of which are in common usage.

advert – TV commercialbludge – to be lazy, to slack offbugger all – very little, not muchbush – forest, woodscapsicum – bell peppercrook – ill, sickduvet – quiltentrée – appetizerfull on – intensehaere rä – Maori for goodbye, see youhoon – rough person, gang memberiwi – Maori for ethnicity, tribe, peoplejersey – sweatshirtjumper – sweaterkia ora – Maori for hellokoa – Maori for pleasekumara – sweet potatolift – elevatorlolly – candymarae – ground, Maori meeting housemobile – cell phonePakeha – non-Maori personpush bike – bicyclesuss out – investigate, look intota – thankstino pai – Maori for very goodtogs – swim suittrolley – shopping carttrundler – shopping cartwaka – Maori for canoewhinge – complainyour shout – your turn to buy a roundzed – the letter z

2 Boston University Study Abroad Auckland

• Bellich, James, Paradise Reforged: A History of the New Zealanders, Penguin Books, Auckland, 2001.

• The New Zealand Bed and Breakfast Book 2008, Pelican Publishing Company, 2008.

Films• Once Were Warriors• The Piano• Whale Rider• An Angel at My Table• In My Father’s Den• The Lord of the Rings Trilogy• No.2 • Sione’s Wedding• Eagle vs. Shark• The World’s Fastest Indian

USEFUL WEBSITES• The University of Aucklandwww.auckland.ac.nz

• The AUT Universitywww.aut.ac.nz

• The New Zealand Heraldwww.nzherald.co.nz

• The New Zealand Governmentwww.govt.nz

• New Zealand Government statisticswww.stats.govt.nz

• The Embassy of New Zealand in Washington, D.C.www.nzemb.org

• Tourism and other information on New Zealandwww.purenz.com

• Maori/English word translatorhttp://kel.otago.ac.nz/translator

• New Zealand Tourism and Travel Guide www.nz.com

• Willing Workers on Organic Farmswww.wwoof.co.nz

Academics

COURSESAll students are required to take CAS SS 315 Aotearoa: NewZealand History, Society, and Politics and choose a univer-sity (University of Auckland or AUT University) to fullfill theremainder of their course credits.

The best sources for information on course offerings are thewebsites of the respective universities: www.auckland.ac.nzand www.aut.ac.nz. Please complete the Course SelectionForm promptly to allow us to reserve places in yourpreferred courses. Some popular courses fill up quickly, andwe would like to give you the best chance of getting your

first choices. Remember that, as a general rule, you shouldsign up for 200-level courses. In cases where you will betaking a first-year language course or fulfilling a free elective,100-level courses may be appropriate. The 300-levelcourses are recommended only for students with anextensive prior background in the relevant discipline.

The course levels of University of Auckland courses areeasily identifiable by their three-digit designators. The 100-level courses equate to 200-level courses in the US, the200-level courses equate to 300-level course in the US, andso on. Course codes that begin with 6 or 7 are graduate levelcourses and are generally not available to undergraduatestudents.

AUT University courses have five-digit codes and the thirddigit of the code indicates its level. A third digit of “5”indicates a basic 100-level offering (translating to 200-levelon the BU transcript), a “6” indicates a 200-level course(300-level on the BU transcript) and a “7” identifies thecourse as a 300-level advanced offering (converted to 400-level on the BU transcript).

Consult with the Boston University staff if you havequestions about choosing your courses. Also, be sure toclear your course selections with your academic advisorbefore you arrive in Auckland. It is a good idea to get advisorapproval for several alternative courses in the event yourfirst choices are unavailable.

To find information on course availability, class numbers andtimetables:

For AUT visit: https://arion.aut.ac.nz /ArionMain/CourseInfo/Information/Qualifications/PaperSearch.aspx. If nothing appears, the course is notoffered that semester.

University of Auckland students can check on courseavailability at www.calendar.auckland.ac.nz, then “2012Course Availability.” While this shows which semester acourse is offered, it does not show the timetable of eachcourse. Please take note of the following:

• Ensure appropriate course availability. The course you want must be offered during the semester you will be there. In your search, if the course does not appear, it is not offered, or it may be full.

• Note the class number and the related class number you want for any applicable labs, tutorials, etc.

• You will be able to check for timetable clashes once youare registered and have access to the university ofAuckland online system.

• Be sure that you have the appropriate prerequisites. In most cases, you will have the prerequisites for 100-level and 200-level courses if you have done any courseworkin a particular field of study. If you wish to take a 300-

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level course you may have to prove to the relevantdepartment that you have sufficient background in thesubject to qualify for the course. Plan to bring a fulltranscript of your coursework to date with you, or becertain to have online access to your updated transcript.

Note: You may alter your course selections on site duringthe first two weeks of Semester One or Semester Two. Youmay make changes only during the first week of the SummerSession.

ACADEMIC STANDARDSStudents are expected to comply with generally acceptedstandards of behavior with regard to their courses andcourse work. Prompt arrival and full attendance at all classmeetings, tutorials, and field trips are expected andpenalties will be assessed for unexcused absences and latearrivals to class. All assignments must be submitted by thedeadlines to avoid penalties.

If you have special needs which require that you take extratime for assignments or for examinations, or if you requirespecial conditions for taking exams, you must notify yourinstructor and the Boston University staff during the firstweek of classes. Please bring with you the appropriatemedical documentation to support your petition.

Remember that it is your responsibility to become familiarwith the departmental course requirements relevant to eachcourse you choose at the University of Auckland orAuckland University of Technology.

Dean’s ListStudents studying abroad should be aware that differencesin the academic calendar at Boston University and at theirinternational program site may mean that grades from theirsemester abroad are reported after the computations for theDean’s List have been made. As the semester abroad mayend later than the semester on the home campus, grades forsome programs may not arrive in time to be countedtowards the Dean’s List. In this case, students are advised tonotify the office of Student Records or the Dean of Students’office in order to request that grades earned on a BUinternational program be counted towards the Dean’s List. Itis the student’s responsibility to bring this to the attention ofthe student records office.

The Internship

Internships are not a common phenomenon in New Zealandand are sometimes referred to as work placements or workexperience. Many organizations participating in the BostonUniversity Auckland Internship Program will not have hadinterns in the past, while others will have had some experi-ence in employing interns. Regardless of their history ofinvolvement with such programs, however, each internshipprovider has signed on voluntarily with the expectation of amutually rewarding and enriching relationship with their BUintern.

We will make every effort to match you with an employerwho can offer the kind of experience that you hope to gain inyour academic and career fields. As an intern you may ormay not have a specific role, and you will be expected toassist with various tasks and projects over the course of theplacement period. Your on-site supervisor is likely to be abusy professional who may not work out a specific schedulefor you. Your learning experience depends heavily upon yourinitiative, your positive attitude, and your ability to adapt toa new situation.

You should conceive of the internship not as a steppingstone to a job but as an opportunity to experience aworkplace culture in a vastly different society, with differentapproaches to getting things done. You will, of course, beworking in a field relevant to your intended career directionand gaining valuable experience along the way. But theinternship is first and foremost an exercise in learning howto function cooperatively and productively in a society otherthan your own – an important step in helping you to becomean individual who has the skills to function effectively andsensitively in an international context.

Your Auckland internship is a serious academic course. Tosuccessfully complete the course, you must meetattendance and performance requirements at the work siteand produce a Placement Portfolio. In compiling thePlacement Portfolio, you will make observations about thework site and your experiences there, reflect upon andanalyze those experiences, conduct research on the organi-zation, and document your thoughts and findings. We havedesigned the project to help you to engage fully with theplacement experience, to come away with a richunderstanding of the sponsoring organization, and toidentify and reflect upon your own strengths, talents, andany areas in need of improvement.

This Handbook will guide you through the internship,provide you with tips for a successful placement, and spellout the course requirements and grading criteria. In signingon to this program, you have chosen a path that will bringsignificant challenges and great rewards. Work hard andenjoy the adventure.

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BOSTON UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP CODESThe Academic Internship carries a course designator, whichidentifies the type of placement you are undertaking. Whenregistering for your internship course on site in Aucklandyou and the Resident Director will identify an appropriatedesignator based on the type of work you will perform inyour placement. The Auckland Internship Program offers thefollowing internship course designators:

• Internship in Advertising/Marketing/Public RelationsCOM CM 471

• Internship in the ArtsCAS AH 505

• Internship in PoliticsCAS PO 451

• Internship in Business/EconomicsCAS EC 497

• Internship in Health and Human ServicesCAS PS 495

• Internship in International OrganizationCAS IR 455/ CAS PO 455

• Internship in Broadcasting/FilmCOM FT 493/494

• Internship in JournalismCOM JO 411

• Internship in Hospitality AdministrationSHA HF 390

• Internship in Information TechnologyCAS IP 400E

• Internship in Human PhysiologySAR HS 410

INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTSYour Auckland internship is both a cultural immersionexperience and a practical exercise related to your field ofstudy and to your intended career. Primary emphasis is onthe academic component, which is designed to help youactively reflect upon and analyze the experience, to learnmore from it, and to share your experience with your fellowstudents. The following outline lists the internship courserequirements. A timeline for completion of these require-ments will be distributed on-site.

Required Academic Elements of the Internship Course• Attendance and participation at all scheduled meetings,

discussions, and seminars.• Production of a job description in cooperation with your

on-site supervisor.• Preparation and delivery of two brief oral presentations.• Production and submission of the Placement Portfolio.

INTERNSHIP AGREEMENTThe Boston University staff in Auckland devotes a great dealof time and energy to identifying and developing suitableinternship placements, maintaining close relationships withinternship supervisors, and matching candidates toplacements in a careful and considered manner. Because theefforts that will be made to place you are significant andbecause important alliances with good internship providerscan be damaged when expectations are not met, it isimportant that you understand and accept your responsibili-ties as a student representing Boston University in theAuckland Internship Program. Please consider carefully thefollowing rules and regulations governing the internship:

Once you have entered the Auckland Internship you maynot transfer to another academic track. An internshipprogram is by definition more time intensive than a trackrequiring only the completion of course work. You canexpect full and sometimes tiring weeks, while some of yournon-interning classmates may have more time on theirhands. By signing this document you agree to undertake ademanding (and a very rewarding) academic direction;

You must be able to articulate what kind of organizationand work functions you would most like to pursue in aninternship and your background should be appropriate forthe internship area you choose. Lack of direction, failure todo research on possible internship opportunities, andunrealistic expectations about how your background mightmatch up with a particular industry or job function are allcauses for concern. If you are not passionate, or at leastenthusiastic, about a general internship category then youshould consider another type of program option;

We cannot guarantee that you will be placed in an intern-ship that exactly meets your specifications. Having toonarrow a focus can often be as deadly as having too muchfocus. It is in everyone’s best interest that we make theperfect match, but a number of factors may be in play at anygiven time that may be cause for some compromise. Also,we will not pursue individual organizations for the purposeof a student’s résumé building. The goal is always to find thebest internship experience, not the biggest corporate name;

The program director has the final decision about whereyou are placed. In the overwhelming majority of cases acarefully engineered initial internship meeting will result in amutually agreeable internship arrangement between astudent and an organization. Rarely, however, when astudent’s indecision forces the issue, or when a series ofinterviews result in rejections, the director can make thedecision to place the student with a particular organizationdeemed to be the best match;

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Your accepting the offer of an internship constitutes acommitment on your part to persevere through difficultperiods and fulfill all of the expectations set out for youduring the placement. You will no doubt be asked toperform duties from time to time that you find unpalatableor boring, but those kinds of tasks are part of any job. Theremay be days or weeks where there is too little or too muchwork to do. The emphasis should always be on how you canbest assist the organization that has taken you on, and noton how much fun and stimulation the organization isproviding you, or on how relevant the work is to your futurecareer goals. The primary aim of the internship is to put youinto an environment where you can make your way in adifferent culture, make a contribution to an organization,meet and interact with New Zealanders, and have somepersonal successes;

Internships are unpaid and you must pay for your owntransportation to and from work. You should be prepared topay transportation costs and to spend time commuting,though some internships may be very close to youraccommodation;

You must read the Auckland Handbook and the BostonUniversity International Programs Student Handbookcarefully. The Handbooks sets out all of the expectations,grading criteria, assignments, and other details relevant tothe internship and the internship course.

The Internship:Interview Process

SELF-ASSESSMENTOnce you have decided to undertake the internship programin Auckland, please take the time to conduct a self-assess-ment. What are your personal, academic, and careerinterests? What kind of a work environment might best suityou? What are your strengths, aptitudes, weaknesses, andlimitations? Your campus career center will have a numberof standardized self-assessment tools such as the Myers-Briggs test to help you to profile yourself objectively. Taketime to write down the characteristics of a work situationthat you would most enjoy. Would you prefer to work in ateam environment or work independently on a project? Areyou the kind of person who gets satisfaction fromaccomplishing a task and then moving on to completeanother one? Do you enjoy a fast-paced environment or aless-pressured work setting? Do you enjoy close supervisionor do you prefer to work more independently?

Realize that there will be many avenues to a valuable intern-ship experience. Be realistic and honest with yourself aboutyour skills, grades, and work experience as they relate to theinternship, and set achievable objectives. Many organiza-tions will accept only those candidates who have veryspecific skills and backgrounds while others might require avery high grade point average as a prerequisite for aninterview. Some organizations may sound appealing but maynot be enthusiastic about providing you with a satisfactoryinternship experience. Therefore, focus on having arewarding experience and not on famous company namesthat might look good on your résumé.

As you go through the assessment process, try to remainopen-minded about possible placements. The staff inAuckland is trained to seek out good opportunities andsound matches between placement organizations andinterns. Trust them to have your best interests in mind asthey work with you to find a great internship.

INTERNSHIP CONTRACTYou will be required to sign a contract that outlines in detailthe rules, regulations, expectations, and realities associatedwith undertaking an internship in New Zealand. TheInternational Programs office with send the contract withthe pre-departure materials and it must be signed before theAuckland staff begins to seek out internship opportunitiesfor you. Once you have entered the Internship Track youmay not transfer to any other track.

ARRANGING THE INITIAL MEETINGYour Auckland internship advisers will carefully review yourapplication to the program, paying particular attention toyour essay and your internship questionnaire. They will thenbe in contact with you either in person in Boston, via e-mail,or by telephone to discuss internship options in detail. Oncethey have a good sense of your interests they will begin tomake contacts with organizations that might offer the kindsof opportunities you are seeking. When you arrive inAuckland they will discuss with you the options availableand arrange an interview with your first choice. Keep in mindthat there may be only limited possibilities in your field ofinterest.

You may choose to go on your own to the interview or haveone of your advisers accompany you. If you and yourprospective employer both agree that you have a match,then the placement is confirmed. If you decide to decline aninternship offer, you must immediately notify yourinterviewer; only then will a meeting with another organiza-tion be arranged. If the organization does not accept you, wewill move on to other options.

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PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEWOnce an interview date has been set, prepare yourself wellfor the meeting. Read as much as possible about the organi-zation and be up to date on any current issues affecting it.Make sure you know the name of the person you will beseeing, the location of the office, and how to get there. Ifthere is a long period of time between the date the interviewis scheduled and the actual interview date, call the office toreconfirm a day or two prior to the meeting. Refer to yourself-assessment and think through how you will answerquestions that might be posed to you. Be sure to prepareany questions that you would like to ask the interviewerabout what he or she has in mind for you. Be neat and wellgroomed, erring on the side of overdressing as opposed todressing casually. (See note on personal appearance below.)If you are nervous about the meeting, practice interviewingwith a friend or with one of your advisers. Take with you anerror-free copy of your résumé, your portfolio if you haveone, and a pen and paper for taking notes. Arrive early forthe interview and give yourself time to relax and collect yourthoughts.

Note on personal appearance: Standards of acceptableappearance and demeanor vary dramatically from country tocountry, and even from business to business. Studentsseeking to participate in a Boston University Internship,Community Placement, or Teaching Practicum mustunderstand that they are emissaries of the University and ofthe United States. Enrollment constitutes an agreement thatthey will attempt to live and work within the framework oflocal custom. Some personal choices of dress, hairstyle/color, body ornamentation, etc., that are acceptable at mostUnited States campuses may make placement in a foreigncountry difficult, if not impossible. By enrolling in theprogram, students agree to make every effort to adapt theirappearance to the generally accepted norms of the businesscommunity of the host country and understand that failureto do so may make placement impossible and result in afailing grade for the internship. Where dress, hairstyle, andbody ornamentation are dictated by an individual’s religion,race, national origin or ethnicity, every effort will be made toaccommodate those needs consistent with our status asguests in a foreign country.

THE INTERVIEWWhen you arrive for the meeting, be friendly with everyoneyou encounter. Greet the interviewer with a firm handshakeand a smile. Be relaxed and attentive and listen carefully.Make direct eye contact. Speak clearly and avoid sloppyspeech: “uh”, “um”, “ya know”, “like”, for example. In theinterview you will want to communicate several importantpoints:

• Enthusiasm. Your most important message will be that you are excited about the prospect of an internship with the organization.

• Why the internship is of interest to you. Be prepared to tell the interviewer how the internship would fit in with your academic or career objectives and why this type of work is appealing.

• What you believe you can contribute as an intern.Let your prospective internship provider know what skills and personal characteristics will make you a good match for the position.

• Relevant previous experience. Communicate how your past work or volunteer experience will make you more effective in this particular internship.

At the conclusion of the interview you may receive an offeron the spot, or the interviewer may decide to get back toyou at a later date. You will also have the option to eitheraccept an offer there and then or take a day or two to thinkit over. Whatever the outcome, send a hand-written thank-you note or card immediately following the meeting.

The Internship: Living andWorking in New Zealand

WORKPLACE GUIDELINESA rewarding internship experience and a satisfactory finalassessment of your work will depend upon a number ofvariables over which you have control. The following aresome practical guidelines that will help you to be asuccessful intern.

• Know the organization. Don’t go into the internship with no knowledge of it. Read up on the organization beforeyou arrive at the office on the first day.

• Make a good first impression. Demonstrate in the first meeting that you are enthusiastic, eager to participate, anxious to learn, and that you take the internship seriously.

• Learn the names of your coworkers. You should be ableto greet your fellow workers by name, regardless of their level of responsibility within the organization. A friendly “Kia ora, Mary” or “Good morning, Paul” goes a long way and is considered good etiquette.

• Have a positive attitude. Show that you are committed and willing to work hard. Help with routine tasks as required and become a player on the team.

• Be punctual and professional. Few things irritate an internship supervisor more than a lax approach to attendance. Attendance is mandatory (see the section below on Grading). There is no time off for travel or otheractivities unless the BU administration has made arrangements with the host organization. In case ofillness, or on any day you will not be attending yourinternship for whatever reason, you must notify your

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internship provider and a member of the BU staff.• Dress appropriately. Dress and personal appearance

matter. While the definition of “appropriate” dress may vary across organizations, identify the standard for your organization and dress accordingly. Always err on theside of being overdressed until you are comfortable withthe norms for the office.

• Take initiative. When you have finished an assigned task, ask for another one. Share ideas you may have that mighthelp the organization. Offer to pitch in when you see that coworkers have a lot to do.

• Communicate. Ask questions when things are unclear or when you want to learn more about some aspect of your work. If something is not going well, discuss it with your on-site supervisor first. If you cannot resolve a problemon the job, don’t let it get worse. Contact your BU adviserand seek advice.

• Be reliable. Demonstrate that once a task is handed toyou it is as good as done. Once an employer knows heor she can depend on you, you may receive morechallenging assignments.

• Be patient. Your supervisor does not know you and your abilities and will need time to assess you. Developrealistic expectations about the internship experience. Doyour best to show what you can do in the early going, anddon’t expect major assignments at the beginning.Internship supervisors will often start you off with smalljobs. Performing them well and with enthusiasm willmost often earn you greater responsibility.

• Try to exceed expectations. Get a sense of what is expected of you and try to deliver a bit more. It’s one ofthe best ways to draw attention to your talents.

• Thank people who help you. Expressions of appreciation can be simple verbal “thank you”, but in some cases,where someone has gone well out of his or her way toassist you with something, it may be appropriate topresent a small gift. It’s not a bad idea to bring alongsome small gift items from the US just to have on handfor such occasions.

• Remember that the internship is also a course. Keep up with your academic assignments and don’t leave thingsuntil the last minute. All assignments are to be deliveredon time, professionally presented, and conform to the BU Code of Student Responsibilities.

• Keep a notebook.Make sure that you have all the contactdetails for the key people in your office, including titles, e-mail addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers, andaddresses. Use the notebook to record thoughts relevant to your academic assignments. Also, keep a record ofmeetings you attend and tasks and assignments youreceive. You may well have multiple tasks to perform at times, and a notebook can help to keep you organized.

• Pay your way. Work colleagues occasionally go out socially together for lunch or after work. It is likely that you will be invited along on such outings and you should make sure to offer to pay your share. Insist on taking a

turn if the individuals in the group take turns paying for meals or drinks.

• Keep in touch. After a few months on the internship you’ll have made some friends and acquaintances. Don’t let them fall by the wayside when you return home. Your supervisor and coworkers will appreciate hearing fromyou from time to time. They’ll have invested a good dealof time and effort in helping you through the internshipand they deserve the occasional word from you.

A STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONEExperiencing life and work in any country other than youown will be exhilarating, intense, and often emotionallychallenging. You will be stepping out of your comfort zoneand you can expect to be aboard an emotional roller coasterduring your first few weeks or months in New Zealand.There is a well-documented cycle that travellers to newdestinations are likely to experience. It begins with theexcitement and euphoria that comes with arriving in a newand a very different place. You will be discovering beautifulplaces, meeting people from overseas, starting new relation-ships, and doing things you have not done previously. Youwill probably have a general sense of well being, be full ofpositive energy, enthusiasm, and anticipation.

After perhaps three to six weeks the intensity of the excite-ment will begin to fade. The realities of having to be astudent will begin to set in. There may be some discon-certing discoveries or unexpected surprises about the newculture in which you are living, and you may begin to missfriends and family. This emotional “trough” is a commonoccurrence and one that you will want to plan for andrecognize when it happens to you.

Be encouraged, though, that the low should pass after aweek or two. You should begin to feel more at home, moreconfident about operating in a new country, and moreknowledgeable about how to fit in and how to get around.As you begin to exit the “trough” you should get a sense ofstability and regain some of the faded optimism that youhad on arrival.

If you do experience what feels like depression or lack ofenthusiasm, talk with one of your advisors. They will be ableto help you to work through things. Most importantly,remember that you are not alone, and that this phenomenonis extremely common.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INTERNSHIPCOLLEAGUESWhile we would be hard pressed to predict the kinds ofinteractions you are likely to have with your New Zealandwork colleagues, a bit of background may help you tounderstand the dynamics of the workplace.

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The term “multicultural” sounds trite and overused, but NewZealand exemplifies a society in which several strong anddistinct cultures operate cooperatively and very visibly ineveryday life. While the indigenous peoples in most majorcities of countries such as the United States or Australia are,sadly, neither visible nor terribly influential in thosesocieties, the Maori of New Zealand are a major force and apowerful presence in the life of the country. The Maorilanguage can be seen all around you, and many Maori wordsand concepts have made their way into everyday parlance.Failure to learn some of the most common words andexpressions may leave you in the dark about the sense of aconversation or a newspaper article.

Auckland is also a major center for Polynesian culture withlarge communities of immigrants from the Cook Islands,Samoa, Tonga, and other Pacific Island groups. New Zealandmaintains close political and cultural ties with many of thePacific Island nations. You may well be working with peoplefrom these cultures.

Over approximately the past twenty years, new waves ofAsian and European immigration have served to enrich NewZealand culture, and the influences of these new arrivalsappear in the cuisine, in the arts, and in the workplace.

The Union Jack prominently displayed on the New Zealandflag bears testimony to a close identity with Britain, and youmay pick up a flavor of genteel sophistication and“Britishness” in your interactions with New Zealanders. Youmay also find the reporting structure at your internship to beless hierarchical than would be the case in a NorthAmerican context, a legacy perhaps of the flight from classoppression that motivated some of the early emigrationfrom England to New Zealand. But do not mistake anegalitarian, “laid back” atmosphere for a lack of industry.New Zealanders work hard and will appreciate hard workfrom you.

New Zealanders enjoy a good chat, and many conversationsfocus on the topic of sports. Unfortunately, the sports inquestion – cricket, rugby, sailing, netball – may not befamiliar to most North Americans. Be prepared to learnabout some new sports and the strong rivalry on every sortof sporting field with the Australians.

This background may help you to get off to a good start withyour workplace colleagues. New Zealanders are generally afriendly, fair, and approachable people, and we have everyexpectation that you will enjoy working alongside them.

The Internship:Workplace Portfolio

The Workplace Portfolio will contain the sum of the writtenwork you will complete in satisfaction of the internshipcourse requirements. It represents a comprehensive recordof your internship experience, including descriptions andobservations of the placement organization, results of fieldresearch you conduct, and critical analysis of the overallexperience. The following guidelines for production of theportfolio will help you to actively observe, reflect upon,analyse, critique, and document your internship experience.

FORMATThe Portfolio should consist of four parts: Job Description,Twice-weekly Reports, Work Product and Field Research,and Analysis and Conclusions. It should be presented in abinder using dividers to mark off the sections, with yourname clearly displayed on the outside. The work should totalno fewer than 20 double-spaced, typed pages. Because youwill be adding to the portfolio throughout the semester,choose a system such as a ring binder to allow for easyaddition of material.

Build your Portfolio over the course of the semester method-ically and diligently to avoid having to throw somethingtogether at the last minute. Keep the contents confidential.This will allow you to include any observations or thoughtsthat your internship host might regard as critical of theorganization or of individuals with whom you work. Payclose attention to grammar and spelling, as both contentand presentation will be taken into account in the grading.The following are guidelines on how to produce each sectionof the piece.

PART 1: JOB DESCRIPTIONA job description can be a useful tool for outlining theunderstanding reached between you and your employerabout the internship duties, goals, expectations, and criteriafor evaluation of your performance. It can serve as a de facto“memorandum of understanding” about what the internshipentails and help you to avoid misunderstandings that couldstem from a more haphazard, unstructured approach togetting you up and running at the internship site. In coopera-tion with your on-site supervisor, you should produce a jobdescription that covers the following areas:

• your name and the date;• name of the organization, work site address, phone,

fax, e-mail, and website address;• name and all contact details for your supervisor;

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• a brief synopsis of the organization’s mission, structure, and important constituencies;

• your reporting relationship(s);• your daily duties, long- and short-term project work;• standards of performance against which you will be

evaluated;• work schedule, including days and hours each week;• your permanent address, or address where you can

be reached after the internship has concluded.

Once you have completed the job description, leave a copywith your on-site supervisor and bring your portfolio or acopy of the job description with you to the first requiredmeeting with your BU advisor. You will also draw heavilyfrom this material for your initial presentation to the group.

Group PresentationsThe first presentation takes place during the first few weeksof the program. It is meant as an expository exercise wherethe interns share with the rest of the group a description oftheir placement and the organization to which they havebeen assigned. The job description will serve as a goodreference point for preparation of this initial presentation.

The final presentation should concentrate more on ananalytical assessment of the internship, in which studentsdiscuss whether they have achieved their original goals andmake observations about cultural, structural, andoperational aspects of the placement. It is also a good timeto reflect on personal responses to the experience, includingchallenges you have faced, personal growth you haveachieved, and discoveries you have made.

PART 2: TWICE-WEEKLY REPORTSThis section of the portfolio is a week-by-week record ofyour activities, assignments, observations, thoughts,feelings, and reactions at the placement. Pay particularattention to cultural differences you observe at theworkplace. You should record and date entries in this sectionno less than twice per week. Some entries may be lengthywhile others may simply describe a day’s activities. Be asdetailed as possible about what transpires at the placement.The final product should be a comprehensive summary ofthe internship experience.

PART 3: WORK PRODUCT AND FIELDRESEARCHIn this section you will present and describe the work youhave produced on site along with research you havecompiled either on the internship organization itself or on arelated topic negotiated with and approved by the Aucklandprogram director. Examples of work product include reports,meeting notes, press releases, surveys, presentations,spreadsheets, letters, memos, and speeches that you may

have created during the course of the internship. You shouldinclude with each piece of work you present a short descrip-tion of the context in which it was generated and its signifi-cance for the organization. Your commentary on thesepieces should demonstrate a thorough understanding of theorganization, its structure, and how individuals and depart-ments relate to one another.

The field research component is an essay about your intern-ship organization, the industry in which you are working, oron a broader topic that relates directly to the field in whichyou are working. It could cover the organization’s history,structure, how it promotes its products and services, and/orits strategies for success. You could present and commenton brochures, annual reports, press releases, advertise-ments, internal memoranda, media stories about the organi-zation, and material from the organization’s Web site.

Ideally, however, it would be possible to choose a researchproject whose results would be of direct benefit to your hostinternship organization. Plan to discuss possible topics forthis exercise with your on site supervisor and with theAuckland program director.

The balance between how much you present as workproduct and the length of your research project will, to alarge extent, be dictated by your particular work situation. Ifyou are in an internship where you produce a large amountof written work, it makes sense that the work productcomponent should be emphasized more prominently. If,however, you produce little or no written work on the jobthen you should spend more effort on the research sectionof the portfolio.

Note on confidentiality: Before submitting any materialabout the organization that may be confidential, check withyour on-site supervisor for permission to include it. TheWorkplace Portfolio will not circulate beyond the BostonUniversity staff in Auckland.

PART 4: ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSIONSIn the final section of the Portfolio you should reflect backon the internship experience, analyze the organization, yourwork, and your research, then offer some recommendationsand come to some conclusions. You should cover thefollowing points, though not necessarily in this order, andyou may not wish to limit yourself to these:

• summarize your work for the organization duringthe internship period;

• compare New Zealand work practices, policies, approaches, or attitudes with those you have become familiar with in the US or your home country;

• discuss your experience of the Maori, European, and international cultures in the workplace;

10 Boston University Study Abroad Auckland

• report on your perception of the strengths and weaknesses of the organization;

• note any ways in which world affairs have made animpact on the organization or your experience of theinternship;

• acting in the role of consultant, make any recommenda-tions for improvements at the organization;

• refer to the goals set out at the beginning of the intern-ship and rate your success in achieving them; discusswhat you have learned and how this experience mightaffect decisions you make in the future about youracademic program or your career.

Be sure to address all the points required in the assignment.Use footnotes and cite all sources, including any interviewsyou conduct. Protect the anonymity of clients and be carefulabout reporting any sensitive information about thecompany or its employees.

Note: The Workplace Portfolio is like any other piece ofwritten work, and all academic conduct rules apply to it. Allstudents are responsible for having read the BostonUniversity statement on plagiarism, which is available in theAcademic Conduct Code. Students are advised that thepenalty against students on a Boston University program forcheating on examinations or for plagiarism may be"…expulsion from the program or the University or suchother penalty as may be recommended by the Committeeon Student Academic Conduct, subject to approval by thedean.”

The Internship: Grading

GRADING SYSTEMThe grade assigned for the Internship Course will be basedon a combination of how you perform at the placement (asdetermined by an on-site supervisor’s evaluation), thequality of your presentations to the group, and the work youproduce for the Workplace Portfolio. The percentagebreakdown of the grading is as follows:

5% Part 1 of the Workplace Portfolio10% Group Presentations20% Part 2 of the Workplace Portfolio20% Part 3 of the Workplace Portfolio20% Part 4 of the Workplace Portfolio25% On-site supervisor’s evaluation

The evaluation of your written work will take into accountboth content and presentation. We will deduct points forimproper grammar, misspellings, incorrect punctuation, andmissing or incorrect footnotes and citations. The content ofthe work should be well structured, clear, concise, wellresearched, and should address the points set out in theassignment. You should back up statements of fact oropinion with evidence and argue your points intelligentlyand thoroughly.

All grading penalties will be imposed after the final grade for the course has been calculated. Thefollowing will serve as a guideline for what to anticipate for failure to comply with the programattendance and performance regulations:

Late assignment: 5 points deducted from the final grade

Late arrival to meeting or group session: 3 points deducted from the final grade

Unexcused absence from the internship: 10 points deducted from the final grade

Travelling during internship time: 20 points deducted from the final grade

Requesting time off from the internship: 10 points deducted from the final grade

Failure to submit an assignment: Failure of that portion of the assignment

Misleading a supervisor: Failure of the course

Being fired from the internship: Failure of the course

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The following table specifies the point ranges for each grade category:

Letter Grade Honor Points Percent Range DefinitionA 4.0 93-100 ExcellentA- 3.7 89-92B+ 3.3 85-88B 3.0 81-84 GoodB- 2.7 77-80C+ 2.3 73-76C 2.0 69-72 SatisfactoryC- 1.7 65-68D 1.0 60-64 Low PassF 0.0 <60 Fail

ExpectationsAlong with a sense of anticipation for what lies ahead, you certainly have expectations, howevervague, relating to the internship. What are yours? Are they realistic? What are your supervisor’sexpectations of you? How will you know? In this exercise list five expectations you have about theinternship and speculate about five expectations the employer may have of you. We will discuss yourresponses in a group session and refer back to them again later in the semester.

Your expectations•___________________________________________________________________________________________

• ___________________________________________________________________________________________

•___________________________________________________________________________________________

•___________________________________________________________________________________________

•___________________________________________________________________________________________

Your employer’s expectations of you•___________________________________________________________________________________________

•___________________________________________________________________________________________

•___________________________________________________________________________________________

•___________________________________________________________________________________________

The Internship: Setting Goals & Managing Expectations

12 Boston University Study Abroad Auckland

Setting Goals for the Internship“People without goals are at the mercy of people with goals.” (Anonymous)

Setting goals will take you out of the hazy and uncertain world of expectations and give you a morefocused context in which to experience the internship. It will be important to set goals and to monitoryour progress toward them as the semester unfolds. Pay attention to how your goals change; reviewthem from time to time and again at the end of the program.

Once you set a goal do not worry if you find out later that you want to modify it, substitute anothergoal, or simply drop it as impractical or no longer of interest. You may well find that the actual experi-ence of the internship will lead you into new directions.

Furthermore, some goals and objectives cannot be achieved without help. If you want to accomplishsomething that requires the cooperation of your on-site supervisor or someone else in the organiza-tion, discuss it with that person and engage his or her assistance in making it happen.

List up to eight initial goals that you would like to achieve during the course of your internship alongwith some strategies for achieving them. Be sure to discuss these with your internship supervisorwhen you put together your job description, and save this page for the final discussion at the end ofthe semester.

1.

2.

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5.

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Extracurricular GoalsFor most of you, this is a new part of the world and one you probably know little about. It’s easy towake up in six months and discover you have not seen half of what you thought you’d see during yourtime in New Zealand and the South Pacific. Challenge yourself to get out and see the city and theregion by writing down up to ten places, activities, or attractions you would like to experience. Giveyourself a score at the end of the program.

1.

2.

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4.

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7.

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10.

14 Boston University Study Abroad Auckland

Your oral presentations will be judged on organization,content, and skill of delivery. You will lose points for usingjargon and “mall speak”, e.g., “ya know”, “uh”, “really cool”,“kinda”, “like”.

We will ask your on-site supervisor to evaluate yourperformance across a number of criteria, including reliability,work ethic, motivation, initiative, punctuality, flexibility,adaptability, accuracy, creativity, team skills, and overallattitude.

GRADING PENALTIESThe above percentile breakdowns of the grading systemassume compliance with the basic rules and etiquetteexpected of all students on the program. Anything less thanperfect attendance and daily on-time arrival at the intern-ship will incur a grading penalty, except in the case of adocumented illness or emergency about which you havepromptly notified both your on-site supervisor and amember of the Boston University staff. We expect you to beon time for all meetings and group sessions as well.Penalties will also be imposed for late work, unless priorpermission has been obtained for late submission of anassignment.

It should be clear that we take the internship and the relatedinternship course seriously. Please take them seriouslyyourself, be respectful of others at all times, and be gratefulto those who have worked to make your experience of NewZealand a rewarding one.

The Internship: FAQs

Q: My parents/girlfriend/brother is coming to visit. Can Iget a few days off to travel with them/her/him if I make upthe time? A: No. When you agree to accept an internship you agree toall the terms outlined above. Penalties for non-attendancewill be imposed as outlined. Schedule any travel onweekends, during the breaks, or at the end of the program.

Q: My brother is getting married and I have to go back tothe US for a week during the internship period. Is that O.K.? A: No. If you failed to inform anyone about a planned eventprior to departure from the US, and also failed to receivewritten permission in advance, this is not a legitimateargument for an absence.

Q: There was not much to do at work this week. It’s gettingboring. What should I do? A: It is common for any organization to experience slowperiods. If you are just starting out in the internship and youfind you have little to occupy your time, it may relate to anumber of factors. Work may just be slow. Check to see ifothers also have little to do. It may be that your supervisor islooking for you to take some initiative. Look around forthings you might offer to do for the organization and askyour supervisor directly if he of she could give you a task ora project. Ask other colleagues in the office if they need helpwith anything. Once an organization sees what you arecapable of, you tend to get more work and more challengingwork. If the problem persists, talk with your BU adviser andask for intervention.

Q: It’s a considerable commute to the internship. Can I getsome relief on the travel expenses? A: No. There is no subsidy for travel expenses, either by theprogram or by BU. When you accept an internship you alsoaccept the travel costs that come with it.

Q: My supervisor asked if I have a valid driver’s license. CanI drive a company vehicle? A: No. Because of serious accidents that have occurred inthe past, the program does not allow students to drivecompany vehicles in the course of the internship. If you areasked to drive please notify your Boston University adviser,who will intervene with your on-site supervisor.

Q: A work colleague has invited me to his/her home fordinner. What protocols should I follow? A: Above all, do not arrive at the event empty handed. Bringalong a bottle of wine, flowers, or another appropriate gift.On receiving the invitation ask what you can bring. If theanswer is “Nothing, just come” bring something anyway. Ifthe answer is “Bring a plate” that means you’re expected toprepare a dish for the event. It is not inappropriate to askyour host what kind of a dish your host would prefer you tobring.

Q: My supervisor and work colleagues are taking me out tolunch to celebrate a successful internship. How should Iprepare? A: Don’t arrive empty-handed. Bring along some gifts,however small, for those who worked closely with youduring the placement period. It’s a good idea to bring alongsome gift items from the US in anticipation of occasions likethis.

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What to Bring

HANDBOOKSIt is important that you bring this handbook with you toAuckland, as it contains information that will be of use toyou during your time in New Zealand. Those in theInternship Track should read and bring along the AucklandInternship Handbook, which makes up the second part ofthis book. We will use it extensively throughout thesemester.

DOCUMENTSPassport and VisaYou must have a valid passport and a student visa to partici-pate on an Auckland program. If you do not have a passport,please apply for one immediately. Shortly after the Aucklandoffice of Boston University has been informed that you havepaid your non-refundable program deposit, and has receivedthe materials from your file required for official admission toThe University of Auckland or The AUT University, you willreceive a letter confirming your admission to the University,along with a Letter of Certification from BU Study Abroadwhich confirms your tuition payment. These will serve as thebasis for your application for a student visa to study in NewZealand, which you will file with the Embassy of NewZealand or one of its consulates in the US Please be sure toapply for your visa as soon as you receive your admissionletter. It may take several weeks to process the application.

Because you may travel outside of New Zealand at somestage during your stay, it is important that you inform theconsular officials that you will be leaving New Zealand andreturning during the period of your student visa. You shouldrequest a multiple entry visa, which will allow you to traveloutside New Zealand and re-enter the country during theperiod of your stay. You will also be required to bring yourreturn ticket with you to the US when travelling outside ofNew Zealand.

It is a good idea to make two copies of the identificationpage of your passport, leaving one in the US and bringingone along with you, in the event that you lose your passport.It will make the process of reissue much easier.

Student IdentificationBring your student identification card with you. You may alsowish to obtain an International Student Identification Card inthe US, which provides some limited student discounts andinsurance benefits. The University of Auckland or The AUTwill also issue student credentials to all students partici-pating on the program. These will be provided on yourarrival in Auckland.

PHONES AND PHONE CARDSUS phone cards are not recommended. You will find a rangeof phone cards in Auckland with very reasonable rates forcalls to the US and other countries. Shop for the one thatbest suits your requirements. We recommend that youpurchase a mobile phone upon arrival. Further informationabout this will be covered during the on-site orientation.

CLOTHINGWhen packing, remember that the Northern and SouthernHemisphere seasons are reversed. Because your stay in NewZealand will span at least two seasons, bring clothing thatwill serve for both very warm and cold weather. NewZealand gets its share of rain, too, so pack a raincoat andshoes that work well in inclement weather. If you plan to go“tramping” on some of the country’s world-famous tracks,we recommend a pair of sturdy hiking boots. NewZealanders tend to wear dress shoes and casual shoes asopposed to sneakers and running shoes when going out, soyou may want to plan accordingly. Make sure whateverfootwear you bring is comfortable, because you will do yourshare of walking around campus and beyond.

You can bring fewer clothes if you remember color coordina-tion and layering. Bring items that coordinate with othersand include lightweight windbreakers and shells as part ofyour travel wardrobe. Auckland is full of adventure clothingand wool outlets, which will give you the opportunity topurchase any outdoor wear that you do not already own.

For students on the Internship Track, be sure to pack dressclothing, including a blazer or sport coat, ties, and dressshirts for men, and skirts, dresses, and dress pants andblouses for women.

COMPUTERSThe University of Auckland and AUT University haveexcellent computer facilities that should be adequate for allof your computing needs. However, the convenience ofhaving access to e-mail and the Internet from your roomcannot be overlooked, so we recommend that you bring alaptop to Auckland. Our housing provider makes in-roomInternet connections available for a reasonable monthly fee.Further details will be covered during the on-site orientation.

If you will be bringing a laptop with you, as we recommendyou do for the sake of convenience, please follow thesesteps:

• Make a complete backup of all the information and software on your computer. Bring along the computer system maintenance and systems operation disks.

16 Boston University Study Abroad Auckland

• Take out an insurance policy on your computer and its peripherals (see www.safeware.com andwww.nssinc.com for insurance ideas).

• Invest in a security kit (see www.kensington.com and www.targus.com) for security information.

• Be sure your computer has a built-in transformer that canhandle both US and New Zealand voltage currents, and bring a plug adapter. If you have an older model that requires an external transformer, these are readily available in appliance shops in Auckland.

• Make sure you are entirely familiar with the workings of your computer and its programs, as technical supportmay be difficult to access.

• Ensure that your computer is loaded with up-to-date anti-virus software. Boston University students can download the free software for both Mac and PC laptops, which is available at www.bu.edu/tech, or visit Common @ Mugarto configure their laptops. Non-BU students should checkwith the computer/tech support department at theirhome schools.

• Do not pack your computer in your checked luggage;carry it with you on the plane.

OTHER ITEMSBedding and kitchen supplies are not provided at Unilodge.You may either plan to bring along your own sheets andblanket or shop for them during our orientation excursion onthe day of arrival. We recommend that suitemates team upearly on, too, to purchase basic kitchen supplies.

Students requiring prescription medications while in NewZealand should bring along a sufficient supply of thoseitems or check with their doctors to ensure that the medica-tions can be easily obtained in New Zealand.

Plan to bring along or purchase the following items on site:

• A battery-operated alarm clock• A camera• A sewing kit• Sun block, sun glasses, and a wide-brimmed hat

(essential for the strong New Zealand sun)• A transformer and voltage converter with plug

adapter for any US appliances (US voltage is 110 while New Zealand is on 220)

• Basic first-aid items• Good walking shoes if you plan to hike around

New Zealand• A sleeping bag and beach towel if you plan to camp

during your travels• A supply of your favorite toiletries (soap, shampoo,

toothpaste) if you are particular about what you use

Apart from a smaller range of brands than are available inthe US, New Zealand shops will probably have all items thatyou normally require.

Money Matters

PROGRAM FEESFor information about the program fee and personalbudgeting guidelines visit: www.bu.edu/abroad/aid/finances.html.

Textbooks and Course MaterialsWhat you spend on books will depend to a large degree onthe courses you choose to take at the University of Aucklandor AUT University. In general, you can expect to spend in arange comparable to what you would pay for a semester’sbooks at your home university, or a bit less.

CASH FOR ARRIVAL AND DEPARTUREIt is a good idea to have some New Zealand currency ortraveller’s checks with you when you arrive in Auckland.Also, any time you leave New Zealand there is a departuretax of NZ$25 charged at the airport. Other countries in theregion also charge departure fees. In New Zealand you maypay your departure tax with a credit card if you wish.

CURRENCYNew Zealand currency operates on the decimal system, with100 cents equalling one NZ$. Coins come in 5-, 10-, 20-,and 50-cent pieces, as well as $1 and $2 denominations.Bills (referred to as notes) come in $5, $10, $20, $50, and$100 denominations. Each denomination is a different sizeand color for easier identification

BANKING AND MONEY MANAGEMENTOPTIONSBanking costs in New Zealand are high; most banks chargemonthly account-keeping fees and a fee for eachwithdrawal, and they pay little or no interest. Since most USchecking and savings accounts are accessible via ATMs inAuckland, your best option for managing money might be towithdraw funds directly from a US account via the ATMwhen you need cash, and pay for all other purchases with acredit card. Your US bank will probably charge between $2and $3 for each ATM withdrawal, and funds will beexchanged on withdrawal at the going rate of the day. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in New Zealand,even for small purchases at coffee shops, the post office,and convenience stores. American Express is accepted lesswidely, but American Express cardholders may cashpersonal (US) checks for a fee at any American Expressoffice. Westpac, a popular Australian bank, has manybranches in Auckland. They have a partnership with Bank ofAmerica that allows those with Bank of America accounts towithdraw cash without incurring a fee.

www.bu.edu/abroad 17

Check with your US bank about credit card service chargesand be sure that your credit card and checking accounts areaccessible from New Zealand ATMs. The Plus and Cirrusnetworks are widely available throughout New Zealand.

Traveler’s checks are another easy and safe way to bringmoney overseas. Follow the instructions for managingtraveller’s checks that will be given to you when youpurchase them so that you can easily recover your money ifthey are lost or stolen. Banks generally charge a flat fee forcashing traveller’s checks, so it is best to change them inlarger denominations. US dollar-denominated checks willclear immediately in New Zealand.

Wires are another way to move money overseas, but USbanks usually charge about $45 per transaction and youmust have an account set up in New Zealand to receive thefunds, for which another fee will be charged on top of theusual account-keeping fees. In an emergency, this can be anexpedient way to get funds within 2 to 5 days.

Personal checks are not a practical way to access yourmoney, as it can take up to one month to cash one.To be safe, you should not keep large amounts of cash inyour room or on your person. Keep your cash holdings to aminimum.

Arrival

GROUP FLIGHTBU Study Abroad has arranged for an optional group flightfrom Los Angeles at a group rate. Information on the flightwill arrive under separate cover. If you choose to take thegroup flight you must make arrangements with the travelagency directly. Auckland staff will meet the flight at theairport and arrange for transfers to UniLodge.

INDEPENDENT TRAVELIndependent travellers should plan to arrive around thesame time on the same day as those on the group flight. Foran extra fee, you may be able to make individual arrange-ments to move into Unilodge early. Unilodge would bill youdirectly. It is possible that your room will not be ready beforethe program start date, eliminating this as an option. Themost economical option for transferring from the airport toUniLodge is to use one of the shuttle services that you willfind at the taxi departure area outside the arrival lounge atAuckland airport. The charge is approximately NZ$35, butyou may make several stops before arriving at UniLodge.There are per-person discounts available for groups of 2 ormore. A taxi will cost approximately NZ$60. The ride fromthe airport takes about 40 minutes by taxi, longer on theshuttle.

The street address and phone number of UniLodge are:UniLodge Auckland138 Anzac AvenueAuckland, NZPhone: 011-64-9-353-1212

Use the “011-64-9-” portion of the number only whendialling from the US Use “353-1212” if dialling fromAuckland.

LATE ARRIVALYou should make every effort to arrive on the appointed day.Students unable to check in on that day must obtain permis-sion from the BU Study Abroad office to arrive on a later dayand must make their own arrangements for airport transfer.They must also inform UniLodge of their arrival times andmake arrangements to be met at the accommodation.

ORIENTATIONOn-site orientation begins at approximately 10:00 a.m. onthe day of your arrival and extends through the weekend.UniLodge, The University of Auckland or AUT University,and Boston University Auckland Programs will put togetheran extensive program covering housing issues, academics,rules and regulations, and an orientation to the city,including some recreational activities. We will set aside timefor you to do any necessary shopping, and we will beavailable to answer questions and to make sure you settle insmoothly. Plan to stay awake for as long as you can onarrival day. It will speed up the process of your regainingyour usual sleeping pattern.

FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAMSWe recommend that you sign up with the mileage programof the airline on which you will be flying. You will earn nearly10,000 miles just for the one-way flight to Auckland.

Housing

UNILODGEAll Boston University Auckland Programs students will beassigned a single room in a 3 or 4-bedroom suite atUniLodge. Staff at UniLodge will conduct a comprehensiveorientation to the facility on your arrival in Auckland, atwhich time you will receive the Resident’s Guidebook. TheGuidebook contains just about all the information you couldask for about living in the facility and the neighborhood.Please view www.unilodge.com.au/Auckland to viewpictures and more information about Auckland UniLodge.

18 Boston University Study Abroad Auckland

ROOM ASSIGNMENTSThe staff at BU Study Abroad will assign you to a suite withstudents whose Housing Questionnaires indicate that they,as closely as possible, share your interests and living habits.Because of the special nature of the Boston Universityprogram, most students will be housed together in suites,but the suites themselves will be scattered throughout theaccommodation to facilitate easy interaction with local andother international students.

RULES AND REGULATIONSStudents must abide by the terms of the Boston UniversityAuckland Residence Agreement and UniLodge’s policies.Students are also responsible for compliance with the termsof the Code of Student Responsibilities as they relate toliving in the residence. Boston University and UniLodgereserve the right to dismiss any student for failure tomaintain a satisfactory academic record, for failure to abideby the rules and regulations as set out in the above-referenced codes of conduct, for unacceptable personalbehavior, or for other reasons relating to the health, safety,or welfare of individuals or the community at large

SAFETY AND SECURITYYour safety and security are Boston University’s primaryconcern. UniLodge has established extensive safety andsecurity guidelines and procedures and outlines these indetail in the Resident’s Guidebook. The facility itself is under24-hour video surveillance, and the building is accessibleonly with a personal security access tag. External entrydoors are on automatic closers and are electronicallymonitored. Personal security alarms are available for loan.

Compared with other international cities, Auckland isrelatively safe. However, you should take common-sensemeasures in any major urban area to avoid becoming vulner-able to crime or to accidents. The following are someprecautions all students should take. Some are repeated inthe Resident’s Guidebook, but all are worth hearing morethan once:

• Do not jay walk. Cross the street at designated intersections only. Traffic in New Zealand travels on the opposite side of the road from what you are used to, andit is easy to step out into oncoming traffic while lookingin the wrong direction;

• Lock the door to your room even if you are leaving onlyfor a short time;

• Do not let anyone in if you do not know the person or ifhe or she is not your guest. If a person is looking foranother resident, contact that person to escort the visitorinto the building;

• Do not walk alone at night, remain in well-lighted areas, avoid dangerous short cuts, and travel in groupswhenever possible;

• Stay in control by not becoming intoxicated;• Do not hitchhike;• Report any suspicious behavior to a member of the

residential staff;• Comply with UniLodge’s policies, which have been

developed with your safety in mind;• When you travel, or when you will be away overnight, let

someone on the Boston University staff and the residen-tial staff know where you are going by filling out anAbsentee Travel Form. This will assure that we can reachyou in case of an emergency;

• We strongly advise that Boston University studentsshould not drive motor vehicles while overseas. The rulesfor driving in New Zealand are different, and traffic flowson the opposite side of the road. Choose one of the manyother means from getting around the country and the region.

Current world events have made some popular traveldestinations unsafe for travel by US citizens and others.Check with a member of the BU staff or with the USConsulate in Auckland before booking any overseas traveldestination. The US State Department issues regularcautions and warnings to US citizens living abroad, and theBU staff will pass on any such information to all students assoon as it arrives.

Following these established guidelines will help to ensurethat you have a safe and an incident-free stay in Aucklandand beyond.

Personal Property InsuranceEach student is encouraged to review his or her family’spersonal property insurance coverage. Boston University orany of its officers, agents, or representatives shall not beliable directly or indirectly for loss and/or damage topersonal property by fire, theft, or other cause.

www.bu.edu/abroad 19

Life in Auckland andBeyond

DINING IN AND DINING OUTIf you prefer not to prepare your own meals in your suite orin the community kitchen, Auckland has a fantastic varietyof ethnic, continental, and seafood restaurants. Many ofthese are within easy walking distance from the residence –downtown, at Princes Wharf, and at Viaduct Harbour. Youwill want to make sure to set aside a night or two per weekto explore some of the excellent dining opportunities aroundtown.

GETTING AROUND AUCKLANDCentral Auckland is relatively small and easily walkable fromthe residence and both Universities. You can also get tomost of the more popular neighborhoods for shopping,nightclubs, restaurants, and sightseeing via the bus system.One bus line, called the Link, does a loop in either directionaround the city and through the main suburbs. For NZ$1.50on the Link you can get to just about all the main areas ofgreater Auckland.

A ferry service to Waiheke Island and the North Shoresuburbs of Devonport, Bayswater, and Birkenhead departsfrom the marina just a 10-minute walk from UniLodge. Withthe ferry, you can also reach Rangitoto Island, a dormantvolcano and a scenic reserve visible from many points inAuckland, as well as some of the more distant destinationssuch as Great Barrier Island.

SHOPPINGCentral Auckland, Newmarket, Ponsonby, and Parnell allboast excellent shopping. New Zealand is famous for itshigh-quality wool products and has a burgeoning trade inpossum fur products as well. Because of the extensiveoutdoor culture in the country, you will find many outdoorand adventure clothing and accessory outlets.

NEWSPAPERS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONSThe New Zealand Herald holds the spot as the leadingnewspaper in the country. Various neighborhoods producelocal news publications, and various “gig guides” areavailable free of charge around the city and the universitycampuses. Some bookstores stock international newspapersand magazines, and publications such as Time Magazine arewidely available.

TELEVISION AND RADIOTelevision sets are provided at the residence in the variouslounge areas. Auckland has 5 free-to-air TV channels thatbroadcast a mix of international programming, mainly fromthe US and the U.K., and local programming. A range ofradio stations caters to just about every taste for music,news, and current affairs.

ENTERTAINMENTEntertainment opportunities abound in Central Aucklandand in the nearby suburbs. Dance clubs, cinemas, sidewalkcafés, pubs, nightclubs, theater, and opera are all within ashort walk or bus ride from UniLodge. You will also findnumerous festivals, outdoor markets, and other specialevents throughout the course of your stay in Auckland.

AUCKLAND AREA HOTELS AND HOSTELSAuckland has a wide array of housing options for guestswho may come to visit you. UniLodge restricts the numberand the length of stay of any overnight guests at theresidence. There are several backpacker hostels, mid-rangehotels, and luxury hotels all within convenient walkingdistance of the residence. Consult with the BU staff orUniLodge staff for recommendations.

EXTENDING YOUR STAYYour student visa will be valid until the end of the universitysemester. If you would like to extend your stay in NewZealand to travel, you should consult with the New ZealandDepartment of Immigration, Level 3, 450 Queen Street,Auckland. You will need to prove that you have adequatefunds to travel for the intended period, and you may have toproduce proof that you have successfully completed yourprogram of study. There may be a fee, and you must alsohave a valid airline ticket home.

Travel

PLANNING TO SEE THE COUNTRYNew Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in theworld, and you will want to take every opportunity to get outand see it. Prior to arriving in Auckland, take some time toread about the many destinations and activities available toyou and make a list of those you want to fit in during yourtime in New Zealand. Because time to travel will berelatively short during the semester, look over the semestercalendar, identify some likely travel dates, determine whatyour budget can bear, and be prepared to make travelbookings for some of your destinations shortly after your

20 Boston University Study Abroad Auckland

arrival in Auckland. Plenty of travel planning assistance willbe available to you when you arrive in the country as well.

Do not plan travel that conflicts either with course work orwith an internship placement. Severe penalties will beassessed for unexcused absences from courses or from aninternship.

USEFUL RESOURCESYou will find numerous books and Web sites dedicated toNew Zealand travel. Most major bookstores and Web sitessuch as Amazon.com will have a wide selection of resourcesdepending upon your individual interests. Here are some ofthe most popular books currently on the market:• Lonely Planet New Zealand, 15th Edition, by Paul Harding.• Lonely Planet Tramping in New Zealand.• Adventuring in New Zealand, 2nd Edition, by

Margaret Jeffries.• Eyewitness Guide to New Zealand.

www.bu.edu/abroad 21

Names and Numbers

Boston University Aucklandc/o UniLodge Auckland138 Anzac AvenueAuckland, New Zealand

Resident Director: Kevin MartinThe Connaught4F/14 Waterloo QuadrantAuckland 1010New Zealand

Home Office: +64-9-303-3663Fax Number: +64-9-303-3664Mobile: 027-273-7127E-mail: kmartin@bu.edu

If calling from the US dial 011 before dialingthe numbers above.

Emergency Telephone NumbersFamily members and friends should make noteof the following numbers in case of emergency.

During weekday office hours, weekend andevening emergencies (there is voice mail onthese lines if the program manager is notavailable):

+64-9-303-3663 or+64-27-273-7127

For emergency assistance from the Boston Office:

1-617-594-3215

You will be notified of any changes in the emergency contact numbers.

Please remember the time difference.Auckland is 16 hours ahead of EasternStandard Time. The actual time difference mayvary if Daylight Savings is in effect in eithercountry.

888 Commonwealth AvenueBoston, Massachusetts 02215

Phone: 617-353-9888Fax: 617-353-5402E-mail: abroad@bu.edu

www.bu.edu/abroad

All of the foregoing information is subject to change without notice.

Tell us about your experie

nce in Auckland!

Share your favorite photo,

a link to your blog, or pos

t your

story directly on our Faceb

ook fan page (note that y

ou’ll

have to ‘like’ our page in

order to post to it). And b

e sure to

tag “BU Study Abroad” in

all your great photos.

Let the rest of the BU com

munity hear about your time

abroad and upload your v

ideos on BUniverse. Tag th

em as

“study abroad.”

Want to see your photo in o

ur next study abroad cata

log,

on the website, or on a po

ster? Email, snail mail, or drop

off a high-resolution copy

(on a CD or flash drive) at

the

BU Study Abroad office, f

or the marketing

department.

And don’t forget to follow

us on Twitter to learn abo

ut BU

happenings around the glo

be as well as new developments

in our study abroad progr

ams.

Good luck next semester!

—BU Study Abroad