Student Testimonials for New Zealand Classrooms in Action
Cynthia Baumstarck
Age (while abroad): 24-25
Degree: Master of Education: Curriculum and Instruction with an Elementary Education Endorsement
Where did you go? Auckland, New Zealand
In what school did you study?: I completed my student teaching at Cockle Bay Primary School and Wakaaranga Primary School.
When did you go?: I went in the Fall 2025 semester from August 2025 to November 2025.
Have you studied abroad before?: I have not studied abroad before but I was given the opportunity to go on three People to People Ambassador trips when I was young.
Why did you study abroad?:
I have always wanted to study abroad even since I was young and some of my relative’s hosted students who were studying abroad in the States. I really wanted to learn about other cultures and to expand my knowledge as a future teacher. I also wanted to be able to learn how schools in New Zealand function and to be able to incorporate all the new skills I learn when I am a teacher in my own classroom. With doing my practicum in the United States and my student teaching in New Zealand I found that I was able to combine what I learned in both placements to continue to work to be the best teacher I can be. I believe that in studying abroad I was able to learn many skills that I would not have been able to learn if I did not take this opportunity, and I am really grateful for that.
Would you do it again?:
Yes, I would absolutely study abroad again if I was given the opportunity! It was very humbling and fulfilling to have the opportunity to teach students from around the globe. I was able to learn about many students from many different cultures and backgrounds all while teaching them about my culture. The students in my classes were from very diverse backgrounds and I found it fascinating to learn about the different topics that are emphasized in the New Zealand schools.
What was your favorite part?:
My favorite part was having the opportunity to learn about the culture in New Zealand.
I really enjoyed teaching in a classroom with very diverse students, from refugees,
to English Language Learners, to students who were born and raised in New Zealand.
I also really enjoyed learning about culture through
travel, especially on the weekends. I had many opportunities to explore the North
Island and was even able to go to the South Island to explore Milford Sound.
What was your least favorite part?:
I would say that my least favorite part was when I had to say goodbye to everyone in New Zealand. I met some amazing people in New Zealand and my students as well as my mentor teachers were great!
How has this study abroad affected your life now?:
I feel like study abroad has helped me to become a more well rounded and confident
person. I had the opportunity to learn about other cultures first hand, rather than
learning them from a textbook. I feel like I 
gained confidence as a teacher and I feel excited and ready to have my own classroom.
I have also gained confidence as a person, as I went on many adventures by myself
and have learned so much about different cultures through this experience.
What did you learn, outside of academics, from your study abroad experience?:
I learned to really step out of my comfort zone and to enjoy going on adventures by myself. I had the opportunity to go on several adventures on the weekends when I was not student teaching and I usually went on my own. I was able to meet so many different people from all over the world and I found myself learning about many different cultures, not just New Zealand.
What advice/words of wisdom would you offer students interested in studying abroad?:
I would absolutely recommend that you study abroad! Don’t be afraid to try the new foods, talk to all the different people you meet, and go on as many adventures as you can. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and go do things on your own, even eating at a new restaurant by yourself can help you to gain so much confidence. This will be an experience that will help you to grow so much as a person and an educator. If you have the opportunity to study abroad, definitely take it!
Alyssa Winchell
Age (while abroad): 20
Degree: Elementary Education (K-12 reading minor)
What was your prior language knowledge (if applicable)?: N/A
Where did you go? New Zealand
In what school did you study?: I student taught in a primary school called Willow Park School through the JCL Education program.
When did you go?: Summer 2024
Have you studied abroad before?: No.
Why did you study abroad?:
I decided to do a portion of my student teaching abroad because I had always been interested in traveling overseas, and knew that being able to emerge myself in a new culture for an extended period of time would be so impactful on my life.
Would you do it again?:
YES! This was an amazing experience that has definitely planted a love for travel in me.
What was your favorite part?:
The most special part of studying abroad for me was all of the amazing people I got
to meet and learn from! Everyone from the school was so lovely and my host family
was amazing. I was able to build relationships with people that otherwise I would
have never been able to. It is so cool to talk with people and learn so much about
life away from home! It really widens your perspective and opens your mind to new
ways of thinking.
What was your least favorite part?:
Definitely saying goodbye to my students, peer teachers, and host family!
How has this study abroad affected your life now?:
Studying abroad will have a lasting impact on me forever. This experience opened my
eyes to understanding many new cultures and just how different life can be depending
on your experiences. Now going into teaching in my own classroom, I have a new perspective
on understanding students backgrounds as well as many new skills that will guide me
through life inside and outside of the classroom.
What did you learn, outside of academics, from your study abroad experience?:
I learned how to push out of my comfort zone and be okay with doing things on my own—it can actually be quite nice! I also learned that people were just as curious about learning about my culture as I was learning about theirs.
What advice/words of wisdom would you offer students interested in studying abroad?:
Just go for it! While abroad you will have amazing opportunities to engage with that you may never get again. Don’t be afraid to ask all the questions, try new things, and step our of your comfort zone. It will totally worth it walking away from the experience knowing you got the most out of it!
Shawn Rasmussen
Age (while abroad): 25
Degree: Music Teaching Option
What was your prior language knowledge (if applicable)?: N/A
Where did you go? Auckland, New Zealand
In what school did you study?: I was not placed in another college. Rather, I was completing my student teaching over there. I was placed in two schools. The first school was Mission Heights Junior College. I have never seen a middle school that was so massive in size. The second school I was placed in was Edgewater College. This school had a quaint vibe.
When did you go?: I went to New Zealand at the end of January and came back in April. The exact dates were January 29, 2023- April 6, 2023.
Have you studied abroad before?: No, I have never studied abroad before.
Why did you study abroad?:
I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. Explore how I could grow as a human being if you will. I also wanted to see how the music education scene was over in a different country.
Would you do it again?:
I would not do this again because of many factors.
What was your favorite part?:
My favorite part of this experience was teaching the vast number of different students.
I had to shift my gears many times to accommodate their unique teaching styles. I
would also say that going to an actual beach was pretty cool too.
What was your least favorite part?:
My favorite part of this experience was teaching the vast number of different students.
I had to shift my gears many times to accommodate their unique teaching styles. I
would also say that going to an actual beach was pretty cool too.
How has this study abroad affected your life now?:
When I came back to Billings, I was more talkative than I was before I left. Also,
I became more flexible in dealing with time delays. As a bonus, I lost some weight!
What did you learn, outside of academics, from your study abroad experience?:
I learned that I can tolerate a lot of misfortune. I have also gained a new sense of humor that I did not have.
What advice/words of wisdom would you offer students interested in studying abroad?:
My advice would be to make sure you have read up on everything where you plan to go. Be over prepared for your trip. This is something I did not do, but I want to tell all of you this. Stay on top of your plans and make sure that you follow them to a tee. Now, since I’m a secondary education major, I have some advice on that as well. If you are a secondary education major, meaning art, physical education, English, or any major that deals with middle or high school; be cautious. There may be some extreme differences between classrooms over here in the United States to where you are going. Do your research. If you are over prepared, your experience will be fantastic!
Josie Corbin
Age (while abroad): 22
Degree: Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish
Where did you go? Auckland, New Zealand
In what school did you study?: Shelly Park Primary School and Mellons Bay Primary School for student teaching
When did you go?: August 2022 through December 2022
Have you studied abroad before?: Yes, I did a language immersion experience in Costa Rica the summer before this study abroad experience.
Why did you study abroad?: I did study abroad to be able to gain a different student teaching experience than
I would if I stayed in the US. I wanted to expand my prior knowledge of education
in a completely different culture and be able to use that experience to grow as I
become a teacher. I saw it as a perfect way for me to challenge myself, immerse myself
in a different culture than my own, explore a beautiful country, and meet new people
that would push me everyday.
Would you do it again? I would definitely do this again. It has inspired me to continue traveling and look for other opportunities to go abroad and improve my teaching skills and overall knowledge of other cultures.
What was your favorite part?
My favorite part was working with the teaching staff and students to learn more about
the New Zealand culture, educations system, and instructional activities they have
in the schools.
What was your least favorite part?
My least favorite part was not going on this experience with other students to have
people to travel with.
How has this study abroad affected your life now?
It has inspired me to look at my own cultural competence and use that in my teaching
practices. It has also encouraged me to continue to look at how I can travel and gain
new experiences in order to grow as a person and as an educator. Lastly, it has affected
my overall gratitude towards people in my life and those I meet along the way as well
as the opportunities that I have been blessed with.
What did you learn, outside of academics, from your study abroad experience?
I learned how to be independent and step out of my comfort zone in order to meet new people and have new opportunities that allow me to grow.
What advice/words of wisdom would you offer students interested in studying abroad?
Don’t allow the fears that you may have alter the experiences that you could have. You can do more things than you think independently, you just have to give yourself the opportunity to prove that to yourself.