Submitted by Dervla Doherty on the 2020 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Animal and Food Sciences…
Since I have landed in New Zealand, it has just been an amazing roller coaster that is enthralling to me in every way. I am in love with the new scenery, culture and people that I have been so lucky to interact with during my first couple of days here at Lincoln University. Today, on our fourth day here, I have already noticed myself changing and growing as a person, which I had really hoped to gain out of this journey. I embarked on the Bridle Hill hike today with a group of 30 of my peers and this experience turned out to be so much more. I knew that I wanted to come to New Zealand to see things from a different perspective, and today, I learned how to do that. When I first began the hike, I was hot and still a little tired from jet-lag and debated if it would be worth it to make it to the top. However, as I continued to trek on with the help of my peers, I became more motivated. Finally, when I stood at the top of the mountain, I felt like my breath was taken away, but from the beauty of the site. I had never seen anything as beautiful in my life and it made me realize that as long as I trek on and stick to my commitments with the support of amazing peers, it can lead me to some of the greatest experiences that I am going to have. I am thankful to have seen things from this new perspective this early in the program because I know from now on I will continue to trek on, search for as many beautiful spots as possible, and take advantage of the life changing experiences and scenery that I will cherish for the rest of my life.