Student Bloggers

Culture:

“I miss home, but not the U.S.” That has been the recurring theme of my time in New Zealand so far. From home-cooked meals to my cozy queen-size bed, home could be anywhere in the world and I would miss it; on the contrary, I definitely need this break from the turbulent times in my divided homeland. New Zealanders are quite friendly compared to their American counterparts. Kiwi university students are less sheltered than many American students. Many embark on trips around the world at a relatively young age while a high number of U.S. students I have spoken do not leave their country for an extended period of time.

The drinking age is 18 in New Zealand (another example of Americans being sheltered by their society), however stores and bars are in both countries are sticklers on seeing ID; unfortunately this means I need to take my passport out with me when I want to have a beer, as foreign driver’s licenses are not accepted. Both nations have delicious but different cuisines; for example, the classic Indian dish of buttered chicken is a staple here while cheeseburgers play a similar role back in America. The U.S. dollar is strong in New Zealand, but certain items such as box fans are more expensive regardless due to high demand and New Zealand’s remote location.

I will continue adjusting to the foreign culture throughout my time here and learn new customs until my final day; so far, I feel like this process is progressing well. 

The Shire:

I signed up for an all day tour for a must-do: Hobbiton! The Lord of the Rings series was filmed in New Zealand due to its ruggedly stunning terrain and scenery. I take the bus to Matamata, about 2-3 hours south of Auckland. From there, I embark on a magical journey through The Shire. The permanent set is external only; scenes taking place inside the Hobbit Holes were filmed in a Wellington, NZ studio. The picturesque village is incredible in person, well worth the trip! I hitch a ride back to Auckland with two fellow tour-goers, saving me 2 hours I would have lost to another long bus ride. I relax with my flatmates and rest before my first day of class; having no class on Mondays is a nice perk that makes these day trips possible.

Uni, Week 1:

A couple days before class begins, many people from the flat complex walk to the top of Mt. Eden, a dormant volcano. We view the sunset over Auckland’s vast expanse. This was a great chance to get to know people and see the city from a different perspective. Meeting so many people in a short time makes it difficult to remember everyone, but offers nice global perspectives.

My first day of class (yes, the “study” part to “study abroad” is indeed real) is a success; I get lunch (Indian of course) with a fellow American exchange student from one of my classes. In New Zealand, each class is worth more credit hours/points than in the U.S., and courses are split into larger Lecture sections and smaller Tutorial (Recitation) sections. I go to the Club Expo, which is overwhelming due to the sheer number of clubs to choose from; I have already joined Running Club here, something I also partake in back home. I go to the remainder of my classes which are enjoyable. I am taking Philosophy, Global History, and Drama & Screenplays this semester.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves & Raglan:

Our Arcadia group activity trip begins: we bus to Waitomo on Friday afternoon and stay at an isolated hostel. The land is home to some farm animals such as a deer and goat, both of which are friendly. We eat dinner, play cards, and watch a movie before the end of the night. The next morning we get up early and gear up for underground tubing. The water is freezing even with a wetsuit but we are treated to a majestic show of glowworms lighting up the pitch black cave; said glowworms are actually maggots hatching on the ceiling, and they make for a stunning view! Much needed hot showers are provided at the end of the tour before we head to Raglan, a hip surf town on the west coast.

Again we stay in an isolated hostel, but this one is within walking distance to a beach full of tide pools; crabs and fish are plentiful along the rocky coast. After dinner I engage in deep conversations with other Arcadia students. One topic in particular has been on my mind recently: spending time with other Americans or New Zealanders/foreigners when abroad. While somewhat unconventional, I am attempting to spend lots of time away from Americans this trip; while spending time with fellow Americans is a safe bet and a fine time, I believe that the point of study abroad is to meet people from cultures other than one’s own. The more I hang out with people from New Zealand and elsewhere, the more cultural experience I acquire.

Finally we go surfing at Raglan, one of the best beginner surf spots in New Zealand. This proves to be a success because I finally catch multiple waves completely on my own, with absolutely no help from an instructor! I finish this post from the comfort of my Auckland flat and will have more thoughts and adventures to write about next week.