Category: New Zealand

Submitted by Isabella DeFrancesco on the 2020 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of  Communication…

After a week in New Zealand, I am in awe of the appreciation that New Zealand has for nature. While just driving through the area, it is clear that New Zealand is filled with so much natural beauty. There are rolling hills, untouched rain forests, and ocean front places surrounded by still towns. Throughout our week, we learned about different happiness practices and focused on our connection to the natural world through understanding the culture and lifestyle of the Maori people.  Our excursions with the Maori people have taught us about their relationship with the natural world.

One day, we attended a twilight walk through the Waipoua Rain Forest and visited one of the oldest and largest kauri trees in the country and learned about how the Maori pay their respect to nature by giving back to what the world gives to them. One of our tour guides, Billy, explained that when the Maori catch their first fish, they give it back to the ocean to show gratitude for the ocean being kind and giving. This experience contributed to my happiness immensely because it allowed me to recognize my insignificance in the world and understand the importance of respecting the world that we live in. So far, I have enjoyed my experience in New Zealand greatly and am excited to see more of what the country has to offer.

Submitted by Alina Roell on the 2020 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Animal and Food Sciences…

For being only twenty years old, I like to consider myself a pretty well-seasoned traveler. My first time outside the country was when I was ten and I traveled to France with my family. Since then, my love for travel has only grown. I have been to Italy, Costa Rica, St.Kitts, Canada, Grand Cayman Islands, and Curaçao, as well as several states within the United States. But I have never felt connected to these locations like I do to New Zealand. Although there are some major differences from the United States, I have never felt more at home in another country. Some of the experiences that gave me quite a culture shock was driving on the opposite side of the road, eating vegemite or beans or spaghetti on toast for breakfast, and seeing endless flat plains and hills with hundreds of sheep and cows. The university where I am staying is where I experience all of these aspects combined on a daily basis, yet it still manages to feel like a place of comfort. Even the towns where we have visited so far, everyone has been friendly and welcoming. During my first week, I visited the rebuilt city of Christchurch (devastating earthquakes 10 years ago toppled the entire city) and their renowned botanical gardens and Riverside Market, walked through the bustling Riccarton Market, hiked Bridle Path and rode the gondola down, spent the day in the beach town of Akaroa, and swam in the Pacific Ocean on Sumner Beach.

On top of just exploring the island and all it has to offer, I have also been to the University of Lincoln’s demonstration dairy farm to learn more about international agriculture and how they practice it here in New Zealand. Here, you will never see barns or sheds for animals to take shelter in. The only protection they have is a very tall, neatly trimmed hedge that surrounds the perimeter of their pen, called a “shelter belt”. The animals survive almost solely on grass, whereas in the U.S. we bring our animals silage or grain so that they don’t have to work much for their food. New Zealand cows however, are smaller, leaner, and more efficient than the cows at home because they are constantly moving and grazing on fresh green pasture. I have only been to one dairy farm here so far, but I am eager to learn more about their agricultural practices. With only one week down, I have so much more left to explore and learn while I am here. I am so grateful to be able to go on this program and it has already been an unforgettable first week.

Submitted by Nicole Skelly on the 2020 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of  Communication…

During our first week in New Zealand, we have participated in multiple excursions that were meant to bring a sense of happiness to us. Happiness to me is when one feels completely free and open to experience and feels everything around them. One specific event that we all did together as a group that made me feel completely wholesome was the Footprints Waipoua Kauri Forest Tour (Omapere, NZ). Currently, only 2% of forests remain in New Zealand, and that number can end up decreasing even more due to the Kauri Dieback Disease which is a fungus that is being found in the soil under the roots of the Kauri trees and it is killing the trees from the inside out. Kauri trees are extremely important to the Maori people, they believe that trees created all of life; and that we must respect them and keep them safe in order to protect the future of our children. Our tour guide, who is a part of the Maori culture, showed us around the forest and lead us to the oldest tree in New Zealand (Te Matua Ngahere). As we approached it, our tour guide played a Maori instrument and then began to sing in the Maori language. We stood there staring at the massive tree in silence, just admiring its beauty and the meaning it has to the people of New Zealand. It was honestly such a rewarding and emotional experience. It made me realize that there is so much more going on in our world and that something small like your plane being delayed should not be something to be that upset about. The connection that the Maori people have to the nature that surrounds them is really inspiring. Every single person in my study abroad group, including me, felt very emotional during the entire tour. We all walked out of the forest feeling a sense of fulfillment and true happiness. Even though it is truly tragic that the Kauri Dieback Disease is killing the Kauri trees all around New Zealand, going into and then walking out of the Waipoua Forest was a very memorable experience that gave me hope for everyone all around the world to come together and start working to have a healthier, more eco-friendly environment.

Submitted by Christina Le Febvre on the 2020 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering…

I had only left the country once prior to my trip to New Zealand – it was to go to Germany when I was 1 year old. Of course, I do not remember that trip at all. When I got accepted onto this program to New Zealand, I was extremely excited to expand my global citizenship by traveling abroad.

It has now been one week and I am having a wonderful time. There are 35 students on this program as well as two Teaching Assistants and two Professors. Traveling with so many new people really opens up the opportunity to learn new things from them and take on new perspectives. For example, we are currently living in flats of six people. At home, I live in a single room in a residence hall so I do not really get the chance to live and cook in conjunction with others. New people also opened up the opportunity to experience the country with a fresh group of students.

One of our adventures took us to a very high point in Christchurch, New Zealand. A small group of us, motivated by one of our assignments to visit locations around the city, took a ride up the Christchurch Gondolas. From the top, not only was I able to see the city of Christchurch, but I gained a whole new perspective on the other side of the mountains.

Perspective taking can happen between people every day, but sometimes it is the literal definition of seeing the world from a new perspective that really resonates with us.

 

Submitted by Ilana Shmukler on the 2020 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering…

2:46 PM

Rarely, do I see such beautiful shades of blue, as I look out my airplane window. The ocean is a deep rich blue, but soft, almost tired looking. It’s a sight that, even after looking away for a moment, starts to slip my memory, until all that I have left is the feeling of a color that once was.

3:05 PM

I am unable to grasp the sheer magnitude of what was just done. On the opposite side of the world- there isn’t a word worthy enough to describe it in my vocabulary. I am the furthest that I’ve ever been from home. What’s next, the moon?

3:24 PM

Just got my meal and it looks disgusting. I am sick of meat and rice and I’m checking pescetarian on the ride home.

4:11 PM

I’ve been struggling internally as to whether or not I’ve made the right choice- to study abroad, to do it in New Zealand, but seeing it for the first time, where land meets water, dotted with what can be described as stuffed animal fluff clouds… oh wait, that’s not New Zealand. From the airplane map I’m over Noumea, New Caledonia. Two more hours to go.

5:54 PM

Update: I made the right choice.

Submitted by Sarah Brown on the 2020 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Animal and Food Sciences…

Before studying abroad, I had never left the United States, so I knew I would encounter some new experiences traveling across the world to New Zealand. Upon first arriving in a new country, it is nearly impossible not to compare it to home. As soon as the group got off the plane in Christchurch, we boarded a bus that took us to our dorm– driving on the left side of the road. It is harder to adjust to driving on the other side of the road than I would have expected! When driving left through a roundabout, or making a left turn (the same way Americans would turn right), I cannot help, but feel anxious that we are turning into oncoming traffic before remembering where I am! The seasons are also opposite in New Zealand; my winter coat is at home while I am spending the month of January in T-shirts!

Coming from Delaware, where the land is nearly flat and sea level, I am awed by the stretch of mountains rising above Christchurch. Hiking to the top of one was quite challenging though! A few days into the program, I hiked a trail called Bridle Path with the other students in the program up to the top of a mountain near Lyttelton Harbor– a climb of 1,060 feet! After catching my breath, I saw a view of the harbor that locals told us to photograph, or else no one would believe it existed! The change of scenery in New Zealand has reminded me to stop and take in the view. It is easy to forget how beautiful nature is when you are accustomed to the grind of life at home.

The focus of my study abroad program is on animal agriculture. Our first few classes covered the differences in raising dairy cows. In the United States, cows stay close to the barn. The farmers give them a mixture of hay and grass to eat, as though they are eating from a salad bar. They are larger and produce more milk than cows in New Zealand. Cows in New Zealand remain outside in the field and only eat grass. Because they are walking more to graze, they are smaller and produce less milk. These differences make sense because Americans drink much more milk. In New Zealand, milk is used for other dairy products or sent to other countries. They do not need to produce as much milk as a result.

As a tourist and student, I have already been exposed to a different way of life in just the first few days of my study abroad program. I really enjoy learning and seeing things that differ from the United States. There is not one particular way to do anything. I am thankful to be studying abroad and gaining a different view of the world.

 

Submitted by Alexandra Diamond on the 2020 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Animal and Food Sciences…

On Sunday January 5^th, I visited the Riccarton Market in Christchurch, New Zealand. Each Sunday, all the locals gather at the empty racetrack and set up shops in each of the empty horse stalls. The products ranged from hand crafted wood all the way to home grown fruits and vegetables. I was shocked to see how many vendors attended and how many unique items were there. It was much different than any flee market or pop up shop I’ve ever attended in New York. I spoke with many of the artisans who helped me understand why they did it. An older woman spoke about how she hand crafted soap, which could also be used as shampoo. It was created with all-natural ingredients including coconut oil, so it wouldn’t dry out the skin. The owner of the stand used to suffer from cracked skin and said she hasn’t had a problem since she made her project. I made friends with her dog named Odyn, who have me lots of puppy dog eyes and kisses.

After the market, we went to the city of Christchurch where we saw the Botanical Gardens. It was absolutely beautiful and very different from the one in New York City. The garden was acres and acres, located outside, and had other aspects like the fern house, rain forest room, and even contained a desert area. I also saw a flower named Titan’s Arum which only blooms every 7-12 years, and when it blooms it smells like rotten flesh. Overall, New Zealand has been a dream and I can’t wait to start classes and get into the full swing of things.

 

Submitted by Dervla Doherty on the 2020 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Animal and Food Sciences…

Since I have landed in New Zealand, it has just been an amazing roller coaster that is enthralling to me in every way. I am in love with the new scenery, culture and people that I have been so lucky to interact with during my first couple of days here at Lincoln University. Today, on our fourth day here, I have already noticed myself changing and growing as a person, which I had really hoped to gain out of this journey. I embarked on the Bridle Hill hike today with a group of 30 of my peers and this experience turned out to be so much more. I knew that I wanted to come to New Zealand to see things from a different perspective, and today, I learned how to do that. When I first began the hike, I was hot and still a little tired from jet-lag and debated if it would be worth it to make it to the top. However, as I continued to trek on with the help of my peers, I became more motivated. Finally, when I stood at the top of the mountain, I felt like my breath was taken away, but from the beauty of the site. I had never seen anything as beautiful in my life and it made me realize that as long as I trek on and stick to my commitments with the support of amazing peers, it can lead me to some of the greatest experiences that I am going to have. I am thankful to have seen things from this new perspective this early in the program because I know from now on I will continue to trek on, search for as many beautiful spots as possible, and take advantage of the life changing experiences and scenery that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Submitted by Jessica Knowles on the 2020 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Animal and Food Sciences…

Our group arrived at the Philadelphia airport half past nine on New Year’s morning to discover that the tickets that each of us had purchased four months prior did not exist. This was concerning, to say the least, considering the that we were supposed to be departing in three hours to Houston for the next leg of our journey. Luckily, three calls to our student universe travel agent, two hours, and one wonderful United Airlines employee later, our tickets were found, our bags were checked, and we were lugging our carry on bags through security. I’m happy to say that morning was the most difficult part of our travels, and the flights that followed were smooth sailing.

This was the farthest that any of us had traveled before, and the fourteen hour flight from Houston to Auckland was intimidating. It was no time at all before we landed and were preparing to take off again. Stepping out into the Auckland sunlight to run to the domestic terminal was a feeling that I will never forget. A beautiful cool breeze, bright blue sky, and colorful landscaping greeted us, which made the haul to the other side of the airport pleasurable. The final flight to Christchurch landed before we knew it, and we shuffled onto a bus to take us to Lincoln University.

When we arrived at Lincoln it was still morning. Though we had spent what felt like a lifetime traveling, we still had an entire day left to spend exploring and getting to know our surroundings. We ate lunch and headed onto the bus for a ride through the countryside and a trip to the mall to gather anything we needed. We drove past Lyttelton Harbor and got our first glimpse of what beautiful New Zealand has in store for us.

Our journey began with twists and turns, but it led us to a paradise that we are privileged to call home for the next five weeks. We cannot wait to see what the most beautiful country in the world has in store for us.