Student Bloggers

Before I chose Auckland, New Zealand, as my final destination, the main things that influenced my decision to study abroad were the courses, the probability of returning to the country, and the overall best fit for gaining new experiences. One thing I did not fully consider was the actual idea of being alone in a new country. Fortunately, I was in the same boat as many others in learning to navigate being abroad and not having the same support system as back home. 

Everyone, for the most part, was going through similar experiences of figuring out who they were as an individual student abroad and part of a group. It was surprising how easy it was to make friendships among my study-abroad group, which helped dissuade some of my fears of being the odd one out in a group of extroverts. Simply said, a few minutes of conversation is the only thing you would need to do to familiarize yourself with someone else, and that would, in turn, lead to walking together during activities and dining together.  

Being part of the group was an amazing experience filled with laughter and memorable moments. On the flip side of constantly doing activities and participating in the group is the fear of missing out. As an introvert who enjoys spending time with friends but isn’t the most outgoing, being around people for long stretches of time was an exercise in maintaining high energy levels. I wanted to participate in as many activities as possible since I would be in a group setting. In the evenings, I would follow my usual routine of going to bed before eleven, which ultimately led to missing a few bonding experiences. Looking back on it now, I realize it was more important that I kept my personal schedule than went to those late-game nights. To that end, maintaining habits built before studying abroad while in a foreign country helps you settle into a routine. 

Settling into the semester after a nearly constant activity-filled orientation week is a bit of a relief. Whenever I have gone somewhere new, like Chapman University in California, for the past two years, basic schedules always helped me function better daily. The barebone structure gives a foundation to fill in other activities and ground you because they stay consistent. In contrast, orientation was often filled with spontaneous outings between the different scheduled activities. Beyond courses, finding your own way and what works for you is important. I like to study in my room and have a particular way of taking notes. For many, they tend to enjoy being in a busier setting while they study. Finding a place to eat and study around campus is a worthy endeavour to continue to settle in. 

Courses started this week with a new learning format and a completely new campus layout. Compared to my home university, Chapman University, courses/papers (as they are called here in New Zealand) are split into two parts for the humanities: lecture and tutorial. At maximum, the total amount of hours in class for a humanities major would generally be around three. Throughout orientation, I heard the spiel of the rigorous nature of courses at the University of Auckland. Many papers that people often take were geared more towards business or science. As a creative writing and French major, my courses and degree have always differed slightly from others. There is much more freedom to make small mistakes as the grade breakdown has more components than STEM papers. I am relieved, to that end, that my end grade does not rely on one moment/exam, replicating a more realistic and holistic method of grading.

Furthermore, I have found that despite having gone to a smaller university with a far more condensed layout, I recommend finding the buildings and classrooms before lectures begin. It is a good way to lower stress levels and familiarize yourself with walking around campus. The University of Auckland has a massive spread split into seven parts across Auckland. The main ones are Grafton, Epsom, and the City campus. Initially, I was worried I would not find my classes as the campus was much larger. I didn’t realize how true that statement would become until I started searching for them ahead of time. 

Honestly, I have gotten more confused about building setup than actually finding the building itself. While trying to find each lecture hall, I have found myself going in circles. Many of the buildings on campus have different entry levels and, at times, unclear or hard-to-find stairs. Leaving the residence early and asking for help when needed is key. All in all, I have found myself deeply humbled through my experience of navigating my way through campus and making my way up the large hill from the residence. Never in my life have I ever felt more embarrassed by not knowing where to go or how out of shape I am going up a hill. If you are like me, do not worry; it only took a few days to figure out a general idea of where certain buildings are and how to get around campus. In other words, with time, exploration, and willingness to ask for directions, it does get better. 

Finally, to end this blog, here are some fun things/cultural shocks I have learned since arriving in Aotearoa, New Zealand:

1.  Most stores and restaurants close early, around 6-7 PM.

2.  There are no department stores quite like Target, meaning multiple stops to cover hygiene and food products.

3.  Similar to Southern California, there can be multiple weather types daily.

4.  It is not only hot but humid. Sunburns are very easy to get, so wearing sunscreen is essential.
    a.  Wearing light and breathable clothes is key; even when it is cloudy, it will feel hotter due to the humidity and walking around.
    b.  You can only bring into the country and buy SPF 50+.

5.  Dryer sheets are unavailable at common warehouses, and most Kiwis do not use them.

6.  People walk and drive on the same side of the street/sidewalk, the left.
    c.  Make sure to look right, left, right instead of left, right, left when crossing the street.

7.  Unlike in America, trash bins are called rubbish or refuse bins.

8.  The ground floor is what Americans would call floor one.

9.  If a store accepts EFTPOS, it means they accept card payments (credit/debit).

10.  People walk around barefoot, even in the city.