Submitted by Jordan Woolpert on the 2019 winter session study abroad program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition…
Since beginning my study abroad program with Behavioral Health and Nutrition in New Zealand, I have noticed many differences between the United States and New Zealand. A few of the activities that we have done as a group include surfing and sea kayaking to view seals. During both of these activities, our instructors educated us on keeping the environment clean and healthy, and gave us ideas on how we can help to conserve natural environments. The breathtaking beauty of these locations reflects on how much the people of New Zealand care for their home. In the United States, we are overwhelmed by architecture and waste and have very little care for what damage is being done by our actions. Some of the steps that New Zealand takes to conserve energy include turning off power outlets when they are not in use, opening windows instead of using air conditioners, and hang drying clothes instead of using dryers. While these steps may be small, the impact that they would have on a widespread scale would be an incredible improvement for our environment. If the United States can follow some of these steps that New Zealand takes, we would have an overall healthier environment.
