Blog 3 Academic Differences

Even though the university system in New Zealand is based on the British system, there are many similarities between them and MC.  

At Universities in New Zealand, classes assign fewer homework assignments but readings are assigned and to do well on the midterm paper and final it is essential to keep up with them. The only assignments are usually a midterm paper and a final exam each worth 50% of the grade. This is different from MC because we have many assignments due throughout the semester each worth a different amount of points. The mid-term and final assignments are still weighted heavily but are usually worth around only 15- 20% of the final grade each.

 The classroom culture is less interactive in New Zealand than it is at MC. In a normal MC class the format is more Socratic and students can ask questions of the professor directly. The classes are much larger in New Zealand universities lecture classes and then there are smaller review based supplemental classes where there is more interaction with the professor.

 At MC, a semester is about 15 weeks long, punctuated by a few long weekends or extended breaks like fall or spring break. The first few weeks of the semester usually start out slowly as the professor sets expectations for the class. Then, towards the middle of the semester, the pace picks up for midterm exams and projects, and the pace does not slow down until after the final exam. In New Zealand, the semesters are about the same length, but they have a longer mid-semester break of about two weeks instead of more frequent shorter breaks, and a week-long study break before their final exams.

  New Zealand universities and MC are similar in that professors are very approachable, responsive to emails, and willing to take time out of their schedules to meet with students. However, the student-professor relationship in New Zealand is much more casual. Professors usually go by their first names, and do not usually keep office hours like professors do at MC.

 In New Zealand, credits are normally worth 18 points which is equivalent to 3-4 U.S. credit hours.

 Students in New Zealand take about the same number of equivalent credit hours as students in the U.S., or even slightly less at 12 to 16 hours a semester.In New Zealand classes meet about three times a week. 15 to 20 points at a New Zealand University is equivalent to 3 MC credit hours.

In New Zealand and the U.S., A’s, B’s, and C’s are equivalent, but U.S. D’s are considered “Restricted passes” and F’s are considered D’s or E’s.

In New Zealand the kind of support universities provide to their students is similar to what is provided in the U.S.  At Victoria University Wellington, they offer disability services, counseling, international student support, and academic services like MC, but they also offer Te Pūtahi Atawhai, which is special academic and personal support for Maori students. 

 To be Full time at MC, students must take 12 credit hours a semester. At Victoria University Wellington, full time is 48 points a semester. They both work out to taking about three classes a semester.

Sources: https://teanabroad.org/blog/differences-studying-college-new-zealand-usa/

http://www.universitiesnz.ac.nz/files/New%20Zealand%20Universities%20-%20Semester%20Dates%202017%20v2.pdf

https://www.apistudyabroad.com/advisors/credit-transfer/

https://applications.wes.org/country-resources/resources.asp

https://www.victoria.ac.nz/