Beginning of Study Abroad

Submitted by Olivia Chamberlin on the 2025 Winter program in New Zealand

Me at the top of Mt. Cargill

Going on my first study abroad was very nerve wracking, but so exciting at the same time. After spending a little over a week in the first destination, Dunedin, NZ, I’m able to reflect on how my first few adventures went. My favorite excursion we went on was the wildlife tour. We saw many different bird species native to NZ, sea lions, seals, and rare penguins. Our tour guide told us we were lucky to see the penguins at all, let alone seeing four of them. Something that stuck out to me is that a lot of the people who live here know a lot about their culture and the history behind NZ. It was very interesting to see this because I feel like not many people in the States would be able to tell you a lot of information or the history behind where we came from in so much detail. So far, this program has allowed me to see things I would have never been able to see and I’m so excited for what’s to come! (Submitted on January 15, 2025)