Submitted by Nicholas Villari on the 2016 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Animal and Food Sciences…
New Zealand is the most beautiful country I have ever set foot in. That’s not easy to admit, being 100% Italian and having been to Italy twice, that has always been the country I found most beautiful. However, after almost two weeks studying abroad in New Zealand, it is clear that the natural beauty and wildlife here are unparalleled.
I thought I enjoyed hiking before, but in New Zealand hiking has a whole new meaning. Ducking below overhangs of lush green foliage and slowly navigating down large rocks and crevices are the norm on a New Zealand hiking trail. Beautiful silver fern trees and colorful alpine plants are just some of the native plants found on this island. Being very mountainous where we are staying, it is not uncommon for a hiking trail to take you up hundreds of meters above sea level which, although tiresome, allows for breathtaking views you simply cannot find in America! The trails are anything but silent, with birds cawing constantly and sheep and cattle making their own sounds, the wildlife is very much a part of the experience. On coastal trails, one can look down a cliff to the rocky beach below and see dozens of seals getting a nice sunny nap or, if you’re lucky, you may even see dolphins jumping out further in the sea.
Farms are another staple of New Zealand life. However, the farms here are much different than those in America. For starters, sheep are one of the primary livestock farmed in New Zealand, although dairy cows are also becoming a popular farming stock, too. The farms here are all pasture farms as well, that is, the animals live on the grass, legumes and herbs grown in the field, not from grain or silage which is more common in America. Therefore, every farmer in New Zealand, even if they are considered livestock farmers, are also crop farmers because without a good crop, they cannot sustain their animals! Many farmers with good land may also grow crops for seed to make some more profit as well. One farm we stopped at did just that with carrots, although he was primarily a sheep farmer. Another interesting fact about New Zealand farms is that many will have both sheep and cattle, not necessarily specializing in just one industry. Also, New Zealand farmers are not really competing with one another, but more so with farmers from places like America, China, Japan, etc. This is because New Zealand is a large exporting country, they simply do not have the population to use all of the product they produce on their lands. Some farms we visit have been over 1,000 hectares and are managed by a single farmer or family of farmers! They can do this by utilizing working dogs as part of their crew. The training and effectiveness of these dogs is unreal, many farmers have their dogs so well trained that by the age of 3 they just know what to do and need little direction when herding the livestock!
As great as this country is, this program is definitely made by the people on it. Being on the ANFS study abroad trip, it is so awesome being surrounded by people interested in the nature, wildlife and livestock just as much as me. We all share similar interests which makes the program more enjoyable because we get to experience everything together and share in the enjoyment. It also makes things like homesickness go away quickly because everyone is extremely nice and you always have someone you can talk to or hang out with. For instance, tonight a few of the students are cooking a large meal for everyone and then we are planning to have a movie night together in the lounge. Also, we all share a common photo stream which allows us all to post pictures of each other and of the scenery so we all can share our amazing adventures!
With almost two weeks down and only two more to go, I am beyond excited for what is to come and grateful for everything I already experienced and who I got to experience it with. I know this is a program I will never forget and could not be happier that I chose to partake of this adventure!