Submitted by Sarah Bussard on the 2018 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Animal and Food Sciences…
As my study abroad program is centered around animal and plant science, we go on multiple farm visits a week to get a better understanding of the different agricultural management practices in New Zealand. One of my favorite farm visits this week was a sheep farm in Akoroa, about a 2 hour bus drive from where we are staying. Although, I absolutely loved learning about the farm, the journey to the farm also added to the experience as well! I found much truth in the saying “it’s about the journey, not the destination”.
About halfway into our two hour journey to the farm, the bus carrying our large group broke down due to the rough terrain of the hills we were traveling. Being so far away from campus already, our best option was to wait for another bus to replace the original bus we had rented. This inconvenience could have easily dampened the mood of our day trip, but instead, we decided to make the best of this setback. We enjoyed the gorgeous scenery around us from the comfort of our immobile bus and ate the picnic lunch we had originally planned to eat in Akoroa. We then passed the time by singing songs, playing games and simply goofing around with the whole group and professors. Since this occurred so early in our study abroad program, it was a great way to get to know everyone better and bond as a class. Looking back on it now, what seemed like a setback at the time really ended up enhancing the program overall!
Once the replacement bus successfully arrived, we were back on our way to Akoroa and the farm tour. At the farm, we were introduced to champion sheep herding dogs and got to experience them in action. We learned all about the different training and herding techniques of sheep dogs and the important role they play in New Zealand’s sheep industry. Then, we finally got some down time to hike the hills of Akoroa and enjoy the incredible views of the crystal blue waters.
On our journey, we also had the chance to stop briefly at Birdlings Flats. It has been almost like a tradition on this program for the students to line up and lay on the rock beaches at Birdlings Flat. It has a strong symbolism for the program, as we are technically laying at the bottom of the world, but still looking up. It reminds us to look at everything from a different perspective while we are abroad and embrace all of the cultural differences we encounter. I find the symbolism of this to correspond nicely with the bus incident we had encountered earlier, as we chose to look at the situation from a different perspective and make the most of it!