I have studied in the US (Art Center College Pasadena and Arizona State University, both good and reputable), and now teach at a polytechnic university in New Zealand.

The way everything is organized and structured here is so much more rigorous and conscientious, that I can only recommend NZ education to you.

It will cost you around NZ$ 14.000 a year to study here at a university as a non-New Zealand citizen (about US$ 8.000 if I remember correctly).

Life is not unusually expensive here, so that may compensate for it.

If you are looking for university studies without fees, try Sweden, Norway, Germany, Austria, Denmark, The Netherlands, and Switzerland.

The US college degree is typically a 4-year program, with the first two years devoted to gaining a well-rounded knowledge base. In my opinion this is invaluable! This system also allows you to change your major during the first two years without causing you to take additional years of classes. And, by taking a larger variety of courses during those first two years, you may find you have an interest in something you wouldn’t have been exposed to otherwise. Class size will vary greatly, but is usually 40-70.

An NZ uni degree is a 3-year degree with a strict program. So you begin specializing from day one. There is no room to change majors, or even take electives of interest. First year classes typically range from 400-700 students, Second year classes are usually around 150-400, and third year classes are 20-100.

There are a few differences in culture as well. In the US, education is valued much more. And the US university experience is all-encompassing. Many students live on campus, and there is a strong sense of being part of the university. In NZ, the students just attend classes- there is no sense of identificaiton with the uni (Otago in Dunedin is perhaps the exception). And they don’t have college sports. Going to college in the States is just more fun!

I have taught the same courses in both systems, and I strongly believe that the US system produces much stronger graduates. And, if you’re considering grad school in the US down the road, an NZ degree will not hold the same weight as a US degree. Feel free to email me if you have any specific questions. Good luck!