Submitted by Joshua Clark on the 2020 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Communication…
Of the variety of activities and excursions we have participated in throughout our first week in New Zealand, viewing the Kauri Trees was by far the most impactful on my happiness and well-being. There are a variety of reasons for this, as well as several different specific aspects of the experience that were especially significant, but the primary one is the way the massive size and age of the trees made me feel small. Although this sounds a bit strange initially, when standing in the face of something so incredibly and inconceivably large, I cannot help, but feel that my problems and daily stresses are entirely meaningless and insignificant. At 3,000 years old, Tane Mahuta was here long before I existed, and it will be here long after I am gone. In addition to this stress relieving and happiness inducing concept, I also felt an indescribable connection with nature and the environment during that hike that I have never quite experienced before. It was not only a highly emotional experience for me, but it also filled me with gratitude and love, two feelings that are undeniably correlated with happiness.
Another excursion that was nearly as impactful was our hike on Waiheke Island. I have never seen greener greens or bluer blues, nor have I ever had my breath taken away by scenery like I did on Waiheke. It was a physically intense hike, an excursion that made me feel undeniably closer with my peers as we all felt a sense of accomplishment upon completing it. The locals were very helpful throughout the process, as we needed guidance on several different occasions when coming to forks in the road. All in all, my first week in New Zealand was life changing, and I cannot express in words how excited I am to tackle the remaining three weeks.