Student Bloggers

So it’s been a little more than a week now since I flew out of Los Angeles International Airport and landed in the beautiful country of New Zealand. In just a few days I have already had so many adventures and amazing experiences. I don’t even know where to start!

During orientation for Arcadia, we stayed in Rotorua at a Backpackers, watched a Farm Show, went Zorbing, passed through Hobbiton, visited a Maori village and so much more. In just those first few days I had the opportunity to get to know almost everyone else who came from the States.

When we finally arrived in Wellington, the 33 of us students moved into our accommodations. I’m living in Everton Hall, so I have five flatmates who are all kiwis. I have a view of some of the city from my flat which is pretty awesome, and I’m also close to where most of the other students in the program are living.

Since being here in Wellington, I’ve been able to explore the city. I’ve gone shopping, looked for restaurants and take-away places, found some pharmacies, a post shop, grocery store, etc. Everything I need to begin my stay in Wellington.

There was a two day International Student Orientation at Victoria University of Wellington that we were required to go to. After attending the sessions on how classes are different, where we can get help and how things work at Vic Uni, I was feeling a bit nervous. Then I started to ask questions not only at orientation but with my flatmates and everyone was super helpful. Even when I have asked for directions out in the city or for some help, everyone has been super friendly and more than willing to help me out.

Sure I’m still getting homesick, but not as much as I was my first night. Now it’s only a matter of being excited for the next outing I’ll have: surf lessons, tramping, Botanic Gardens… who knows! I’m only beginning my time here.

There is so much I want to share on this one blog from the past 10 days but then I’d have to write at least a 20 page essay.

So I will end this blog post with a few tips:

• Take every opportunity that you can. A few months seems like a long time, but it really isn’t. So whenever you are debating doing something, do it. You don’t want to come back home asking “What if I had done it?”

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask questions about how things work, what you can do, what things mean. 

• It’s okay to be by yourself. You don’t need to be with someone constantly. Wake up early on a day you are free. Go shopping by yourself for clothes, groceries, school supplies. Look for a restaurant to eat at. Enjoy a day to yourself and explore on your own.


I start classes on Monday and I’m really looking forward to starting them. In my next blog post, I want to share my experience with classes and Vic Uni. Until then, I’m going to keep enjoying my beginning time in New Zealand with some more exploring.