My Exchange at The University of Stony Brook
My journey with the 360 International exchange programme began thanks to my sister, who had previously gone on an exchange with UOA to an American university and had a great experience. Inspired by her stories, I decided to follow in her footsteps, and I am so glad I did.
When I first arrived at Stony Brook University in Long Island, New York, I was both excited and nervous. However, my first impressions were positive. The university was well-organized, and the comprehensive orientation made settling in easy and made navigating a large campus much easier, making my initial weeks of adjusting far easier.
My accommodation at Stony Brook was great. I lived in a seven-person apartment in a multi-floor building. The setup provided the perfect balance between privacy and social interaction, as having a kitchen and shared spaces allowed us to bond as housemates while maintaining independence.
The teaching at Stony Brook was engaging and suprisingly similar to what I was used to at the University of Auckland (UOA). The courses were well-structured, and the professors encouraged discussion and work with other students which was a great way to make friends and helped me to adapt quickly. I found the courses a lot easier than the courses at UOA, particularly because I was taking the majority of elective courses. Being close to New York City was one of the most exciting parts of my exchange. Being just a two-hour train ride away meant frequent visits to the city which felt like I was living in a movie every time. The vibrant energy, and countless iconic tourist attractions made every visit worth and memorable. Long Island itself was a beautiful area, with a more laid-back vibe compared to NYC which provided a good lifestyle balance.
Unfortunately, the cost of living in New York was significantly higher compared to Auckland. Expenses like dining out, transportation and general living costs add up quickly, especially when here for a short time and your want to make the most of your experience. For future exchange students, I’d recommend budgeting carefully to ensure you can make the most of your experience.
There are numerous clubs and extracurricular activities to join which can be found on the university website and during orientation week. The campus community was welcoming, with numerous free events, and opportunities to connect with others. The dining halls provided great food options, and the abundance of on-campus food trucks and markets ensured food was aways available.
The highlight of my exchange was undoubtedly travelling and exploring not just New York City but also nearby places such as New Jersey, Connecticut, Boston, Florida, and Toronto. I was able to visit these places while actively studying and maintaining good grades.
One challenge would be the significant time difference between New York and New Zealand, which occasionally made keeping in touch with family and friends difficult.
To anyone considering the exchange programme, I can’t recommend it enough. My biggest piece of advice is to do your research thoroughly—not just on the university you’re planning to attend but also on the courses you hope to take. Ensure that they align with your degree plan and can be approved for credit.
Q&A
What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?
- Elective courses were interesting
- Pass or fail criteria reduced work stress load a lot
- Different teaching styles
Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?
Joining lots of clubs in general and attending all the free events the uni has to offer
What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?
- If only attending for one semester choose the fall semester as you get to experience New York through three different seasons (end of summer, fall and start of winter) – you also get to experience the city at Christmas time/a white Christmas.
- Pack clothes appropriate for all seasons too as you may experience very hot and very cold weather
- Try enroll in courses early before they fill up (especially elective courses)
How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?
- New York City is very expensive in general with food and travel so make sure to have more than enough saved!
- If planning to travel to other places outside NYC make sure to budget accordingly or plan to travel with others to reduce accommodation costs.
What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?
- I met friends from all over Europe who were other exchange students and we all got very close as we were all in the same boat and now have plans to meet up post-exchange.
- Be friendly to American students as they can be very friendly and help you out a lot and help you experience American culture (ie Thanksgiving and Xmas).
- Travel and see as much as you can and say yes to all opportunities.
Do you want to share anything about travels you did outside your host city/country?
I travelled to: Washington, Boston, Toronto, and Miami.
Is there any advice you could share about accommodation options at your host university and/or in the local area?
- Definitely try to stay in the west apartments – great living space (and apply and pay extra for a single room if you like your own space otherwise you will be sharing in a double room).
- Most exchange students get put in west apartments but you must specify about single room.
- West Apartments is the only accommodation that has a kitchen and fridge which means you can buy groceries and cook your own food (all other accommodation halls require a meal plan). The meal plan allows you to access dining halls with unlimited food and also other food locations on campus.
Do you have any advice on what mobile phone apps and/or phone plans that were useful in your host country?
- Train time
- Rec on the go
- Corq
- Sbu transit
- food delivery apps (door dash)
- Transport abs (uber and lyft)
I bought an esim at the airport which took 5 mins and got a prepaid plan. This gave me an American number and the chosen amount of data that I selected.