Submitted by Mara Cabrera on the 2024 Winter KAAP program in New Zealand…
My first week in New Zealand has been one of the most special weeks in my life so far. Being part of the KAAP New Zealand trip, my classmates and I have the amazing opportunity to explore most of the country! Instead of staying situated in one place/town, we are traveling throughout the north and south islands of this beautiful country. For the first two weeks, we will be staying in Dunedin, NZ and I am sad to say we only have one week left. So far we have done so many fun activities and I have stepped out of my comfort zone many times with the help of my awesome classmates. In one week we will be traveling with all of our belongings and going west to Queenstown and then up north to the country’s capital, Wellington. So far, Dunedin has been nothing short of amazing for all of us. The nature and landscape are absolutely beautiful, the weather is amazing, and the architecture is unlike what we would see in the United States. We are lucky enough to be staying in single dormitories and have access to three meals a day in the dining hall. Throughout our first week here, most of us have been able to meet and interact with the lovely staff and have gotten to know some of the locals who work around the town. All in all, I am very much enjoying our trip so far and I am so excited for what else New Zealand has to offer! (Submitted on January 11, 2024)
