Submitted by Bridget Horgan on the 2019 winter session study abroad program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition…
This week was really awesome. Aside from the hikes and other activities we did, we got the chance to meet up with and spend time with students from other University of Delaware study abroad programs as well as students from other schools. It was a really great opportunity for us all to reflect on the similarities and differences we had experienced as well as talk about our favorite moments thus far. Something we all talked about was New Zealand slang. Kiwis have tons of awesome sayings and phrases that I have never heard being used in the United States. “Sweet as!” describes everything good rather than saying good, as well as “good on ya!” meaning good job or thanks or really any gratitude. Rather than saying “you’re welcome” when told thank you, Kiwis say “that’s alright.” It’s really interesting to see all the different things they say. My friends and I have been trying to incorporate these new phrases into our everyday language and I hope to bring these fun phrases back home with me!