Category: Australia

Submitted by Nicholas Villari on the 2016 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Animal and Food Sciences…

New Zealand is the most beautiful country I have ever set foot in. That’s not easy to admit, being 100% Italian and having been to Italy twice, that has always been the country I found most beautiful. However, after almost two weeks studying abroad in New Zealand, it is clear that the natural beauty and wildlife here are unparalleled.

I thought I enjoyed hiking before, but in New Zealand hiking has a whole new meaning. Ducking below overhangs of lush green foliage and slowly navigating down large rocks and crevices are the norm on a New Zealand hiking trail. Beautiful silver fern trees and colorful alpine plants are just some of the native plants found on this island. Being very mountainous where we are staying, it is not uncommon for a hiking trail to take you up hundreds of meters above sea level which, although tiresome, allows for breathtaking views you simply cannot find in America! The trails are anything but silent, with birds cawing constantly and sheep and cattle making their own sounds, the wildlife is very much a part of the experience. On coastal trails, one can look down a cliff to the rocky beach below and see dozens of seals getting a nice sunny nap or, if you’re lucky, you may even see dolphins jumping out further in the sea.

Farms are another staple of New Zealand life. However, the farms here are much different than those in America. For starters, sheep are one of the primary livestock farmed in New Zealand, although dairy cows are also becoming a popular farming stock, too. The farms here are all pasture farms as well, that is, the animals live on the grass, legumes and herbs grown in the field, not from grain or silage which is more common in America. Therefore, every farmer in New Zealand, even if they are considered livestock farmers, are also crop farmers because without a good crop, they cannot sustain their animals! Many farmers with good land may also grow crops for seed to make some more profit as well. One farm we stopped at did just that with carrots, although he was primarily a sheep farmer. Another interesting fact about New Zealand farms is that many will have both sheep and cattle, not necessarily specializing in just one industry. Also, New Zealand farmers are not really competing with one another, but more so with farmers from places like America, China, Japan, etc. This is because New Zealand is a large exporting country, they simply do not have the population to use all of the product they produce on their lands. Some farms we visit have been over 1,000 hectares and are managed by a single farmer or family of farmers! They can do this by utilizing working dogs as part of their crew. The training and effectiveness of these dogs is unreal, many farmers have their dogs so well trained that by the age of 3 they just know what to do and need little direction when herding the livestock!

As great as this country is, this program is definitely made by the people on it. Being on the ANFS study abroad trip, it is so awesome being surrounded by people interested in the nature, wildlife and livestock just as much as me. We all share similar interests which makes the program more enjoyable because we get to experience everything together and share in the enjoyment. It also makes things like homesickness go away quickly because everyone is extremely nice and you always have someone you can talk to or hang out with. For instance, tonight a few of the students are cooking a large meal for everyone and then we are planning to have a movie night together in the lounge. Also, we all share a common photo stream which allows us all to post pictures of each other and of the scenery so we all can share our amazing adventures!

With almost two weeks down and only two more to go, I am beyond excited for what is to come and grateful for everything I already experienced and who I got to experience it with. I know this is a program I will never forget and could not be happier that I chose to partake of this adventure!

Submitted by Katherine Heller on the 2016 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology…

On our first weekend in the land of the Kiwis, we went to a beach carved into the cliffs just south of Dunedin as well as a tour of the natural life found in the Otago Peninsula. Tunnel Beach was beautiful and insane. It amazed me what variety of people I saw hiking down/up to the beach like it was no big deal while us young, relatively fit and loud Americans could barely keep it together. I was able to appreciate the lifestyle that New Zealand makes possible for people who live in its “leg day every day” terrain. Thanks to Brad’s driving tour afterward, I learned and saw just how much Scottish influence the settlers brought with them, especially to Dunedin. Since then, walking around the city, I’ve noticed it more in the people, goods and buildings than I had before. It also opened my eyes to the diversity of other immigrants in Dunedin, including the fairly strong Asian influence on cuisine that is evident when walking down George Street, for example.

The Elm’s Wildlife Tour opened my eyes further to understand what influence these foreign settlers had/have on the wildlife and plant life of New Zealand. The islands lost about half of their bird species since people began to populate New Zealand. That is an insanely large and shameful loss of biodiversity. Learning this helped me to understand why it is so important to protect the albatross and penguins that Elm focuses so strongly on. Invasive species, diseases and the introduction of hunting greatly damaged New Zealand’s unique ecosystem. The land and environment was over-hunted and under-protected by both large groups of settlers (Polynesian/Maori and Scottish).  It was interesting to learn how few land mammals are indigenous to the region, and I really noticed this the next day when we hiked Mt. Cargill. The lush, natural undergrowth that I saw during that hike also made me realize how different of an environment Otago has compared to many parts of the world and anything I’ve ever seen before. In a place that went so long untouched by nature, I found myself really appreciating what comes naturally over time and our human responsibility to  preserve it to the best of our abilities.

These two experiences helped me become more culturally competent because I understand not only that vastly different cultures that were brought here and mixed by different settlers, but their effects on the natural environment that have remained hundreds of years later.

Oh, and I finally discovered my spirit animal. I’m really “finding myself “on this trip!

Submitted by Jennifer Schuler on the 2016 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Animal and Food Sciences…

Yesterday, my camera broke.  Could there be a worse time for it to break than when I am halfway around the world in the most beautiful country on earth?  We have fully scheduled days, and the stores in New Zealand close at 5 or 6pm.  I had to act fast so I would not miss recording a single moment of my adventure.  I was exhausted after being out on a field trip all day, but I had to leave for the mall right away.  Everything is so spread out in New Zealand, but I had been studying the crumpled bus route map I got last week and I was ready to go to the mall to buy a new camera.  No one wanted to come with me because everyone was tired and who wants to pay $10 for a bus ticket for no reason?  I was on my own.  It was scary traveling alone on public transportation in a foreign country.  I don’t even think I’ve ever been on a public bus back home in the United States!  The bus driver was very nice though, and stopped me when I tried to get off at the wrong stop.  However, when it was time to transfer, I crossed the street and then couldn’t find the other bus stop.  I wandered up and down the street a few times and started to panic.  I was stranded in New Zealand and I had no idea where I was!  Luckily, I found the bus stop further down the street and waited.  I was relieved when the yellow bus finally pulled up, and the new driver again had to stop me from getting off at the wrong stop.

It was exciting to finally arrive at The Hub Hornby Mall, and I asked the assistance desk for directions to one of the camera stores.  I walked in and asked for their cheapest camera, but they were out of stock.  The salesperson also laughed when I showed him my broken camera – it makes a buzzing sound when I try to turn it on.  Anyway, on to the next camera store.  I looked at a directory this time, and saw a large section of the mall is still under construction.  It was a sobering moment to realize that the destruction of the earthquakes several years ago have had such a prolonged effect.

I was more successful at the second store and soon I was ready for the ride home.  Easier said than done.  I went to the bus stop I got off at, but there were a million yellow buses riding by and I did not know which one to take.  I asked a bus driver standing nearby and he told me to wait.  Finally, he directed me to a bus that pulled up and I was on my way.  Uh oh.  I passed the bus stop where I was supposed to get off – I guess not all of the bus drivers are reliable.  Luckily, the bus stopped suddenly to let a woman on and I got off and walked/ran a few minutes back to the correct stop.  I waited, but the wrong coloured bus came and went.  A girl got off of that bus, and must have realized I looked utterly confused because she asked if I needed help.  I told her I was trying to figure out if I was in the right place and we determined I was.  Then she said she would wait with me until my bus came and we started talking.  Her name is Sukh and she is from Malaysia.  She is 20 years old like me and has only been here 2 weeks herself!  It was so nice of her to keep me company and it was exciting to meet someone totally random.  Eventually, the purple bus pulled up and I settled down for the final stretch back to Lincoln University.  When the bus finally rolled into the familiar town, I felt a sense of relief and then pride.  I was surprised with myself for being independent enough to venture out alone in a foreign country.  I had a few bumps along the road, but overall I got to where I was going, I bought a new camera and I talked to many people along the way!  My confidence has grown –maybe my next step will be to solo travel around the world?

Submitted by Katherine Pacer on the 2016 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Animal and Food Sciences…

Green. That’s what I associate so far with New Zealand. Green and very friendly people are the two things that stick out the most. I’ve flown half-way around the world to get to one of the most beautiful and nicest places on earth. It took almost a full two days to get here, but so far I have no regrets. I’m staying on the South Island of New Zealand, which is covered in farmland. From the high hills down to the Canterbury plains, the land is all green pasture to feed sheep, horses and cattle. The green rolling hills almost remind me of where I call home, Pennsylvania; however, the hills here feel untouched. Minimal things have been done to change the landscape from when settlers arrived in the 19^th Century. Not only does this probably keep the citizens of this country happy, but it’s a smart business move. New Zealand is an island that is located far away from the rest of the world. To be a profitable nation, they rely highly on exported goods and tourism to the country. It doesn’t even take the seven days I’ve been here to find out that what draws people in is how remarkably beautiful the country is.

It can’t be forgotten that by being an island nation, New Zealand is surrounded by beautiful waters as well. I’ve only ever seen water so clear and crystal blue once before in my life, in the Dominican Republic. I have visited four beaches in my time here, and so far the coasts in New Zealand have been incredibly breath-taking. I feel like the color along with the beautiful views throughout the country contribute to people’s overall happiness. The native Kiwis translate this into their attitudes and respect for others and for their country. I can’t help but wonder if in America we’ve lost a bit of this feeling for ourselves. There are beautiful landscapes all around us in the United States, but we’ve forgotten to stop and take it in and let nature’s beauty affect us. New Zealand’s got it right so far. They’re doing a lot to preserve their beautiful country for future generations. Hopefully, that’s something my study abroad group and myself can take home with us at the end of this journey.

Submitted by Kayla Neiderfer on the 2016 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Animal and Food Sciences…

In 2012, a series of four earthquakes rocked the city of Christchurch.  Since this disaster, Christchurch has been working to rebuild their demolished city.  Through the struggle, this community has made every effort to keep the city strong.  When shops and restaurants were destroyed, citizens created a Re:start mall using shipping containers.  Empty shipping containers were moved into the center of the city and shops were set up inside of them to provide resources to locals who had no other way to get what they needed.  Today our class had the opportunity to visit this mall and a local flea market, Riccarton Market, which is open every Sunday.  Clearly by using shipping containers to create a new mall during their time of need, the people of Christchurch have shown their resilience and resourcefulness.  Many citizens found ways to use their professional craft to help in any way they could as well.

Today I met a man who is a prime example of putting his professional skill to the rebuilding efforts.  While walking through Riccarton Market, I came across a woodworking stand where the craftsman offered to create handmade furniture made to order.  When I asked him about one of his pieces, he explained that it was made from New Zealand timber that he collected after the earthquake.  Working as a woodcraftsman for thirty-five years, this man decided to collect the fallen timber from the rubble after the earthquakes and repurpose them to make furniture and other small crafts.  This resourcefulness absolutely amazed me.  I would never have thought to take the rubble around me and turn it into such beautiful craftsmanship.  Although his skill in woodworking was impressive, I was more amazed at how he turned an event in his life that was so disastrous into something that could support himself and his community through their rough times.  Even when he described his trade to me, it was evident how much the earthquake had impacted him and how emotionally connected he is to his work.  After only a week in New Zealand, I have seen so much of this emotional connection that their culture has to the earthquakes.  It is not merely seen as an unfortunate event in their lives, but as a way that they have since been able to grow from.  One hundred and eighty-four people lost their lives during these earthquakes, and thousands of other lost their homes, businesses and friends.  Although the rebuilding process is not nearly finished, the city has grown in leaps and bounds, and they will continue to do so.

 

Submitted by Robert Pierce Reilly on the 2016 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Animal and Food Sciences…

After only a week of being in New Zealand, I have already made so many memories. In the first week alone I not only got to know my classmates incredibly well, but went to some of the most peaceful, beautiful spots in Christchurch. Of the week’s adventures that included visiting multiple sheep farms, a dairy farm, Akaroa, and much more, my favorite experience was swimming and hiking at Diamond Harbor on our first free afternoon. It began by taking the Diamond Harbor Ferry to the hiking location after figuring out the public bus system in Christchurch. Upon arrival, my new companions and I jumped right into the adventures. We hiked every possible path as well as creating some of our own, finding views I thought only existed in movies. Overlooking the port with the mid-morning haze beginning to dissipate over the mountains as the sunlight began to creep through the clouds gave me a peaceful feeling that I have never felt before. At the summit of the trails, I sat and looked. I didn’t say a word, I didn’t think about anything – I just observed. The lush green of the mountainside meeting the vibrant blue glacier water of the Pacific Ocean was as tranquil a scene as I could have ever imagined. As I sat, I not only opened my eyes, but my ears as well. The waves of the high tide gently crashing into the rocks we had just explored, soothed me like a lullaby along with the wind rustling the leaves of the surrounding trees. I had never been calmer in my life. I didn’t want to move and I didn’t have to. I have few pictures of the site because I was so mesmerized by the beauty before me that I realized it deserved to be looked at with my eyes, not through the lens of a camera. Luckily, my incredibly talented photographer of a friend, Brian Griffiths captured each moment for me. He has visited the island multiple times and was happy to capture my amazement and tranquility for me.

Once the midday sun was clear of the clouds and the temperature began to rise, we decided it was a perfect time to go for a swim. At the harbor, there was a rope swing that was meant for only one thing: to have fun. My classmates and I were all eager to test it out, and more importantly, the temperature of the water. I was so excited about being in the most beautiful place on earth, that I volunteered to go first (I would have tried to go first regardless of the uncertainty of the water temperature). I climbed up the crane that dangled the rope to retrieve it. Before I reached, I looked around, and again was overcome with the natural beauty of the island. My excitement to get in the water sky rocketed. I descended and began to prepare to swing with all my classmates anxiously cheering me on. With two quick lunges, I was swinging over the glacier water not knowing what to expect. I released and prepared for submersion. I could not believe how a place so gorgeous could also be so fun. The water was a refreshingly perfect temperature, especially floating under the sun’s warming rays. With that leap, the floodgates opened and the real fun began for our entire class.

I could not have imagined a better way to spend our first free afternoon in New Zealand. It was adventurous yet peaceful, exciting yet soothing. It was a perfect way to begin our excursion here because it was close, easy to get to, fun, relaxing and exciting all in one without overdoing it on the first week. I cannot wait to see what lies ahead of me and my companions.

Submitted by Rebekah Houser on the 2016 winter session program in Australia sponsored by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Mathematical Sciences…

My first view of Australia was a peak through the window from of our double-decker plane as we approached the Melbourne airport. Brown hills dotted with trees certainly didn’t look like Delaware, but were also not entirely foreign. The fact that I am in a different country has sunk in through a series of impressions this first week.

Maybe it was jet-lag, but I didn’t notice at first that people were driving on the left side of the road, and I was a little startled to see the driver’s seat on vehicles’ right side. In much of Melbourne, cars share the roads with trams and many bicyclists. Several places in the city have designated bike lanes, bike rentals are dotted throughout, and apparently if you need a helmet (which state law requires cyclists to wear) you can get an inexpensive one from the nearest 7 Eleven (which in Melbourne is seemingly never far away).

Melbourne’s buildings span a wide range of architectural styles, from ornate stone classic municipal buildings, to structures making statements with line, color and shape, to sleek glass skyscrapers. I was most struck by the iron lacework present on most of the town homes and on many other buildings. This feature seems common throughout the city. I asked a friend from Melbourne about its significance; she believed it dated from the gold rush of the 1850s. According to some articles I found online, she was correct. One article in particular briefly describes how the gold rush created the demand for new buildings, while also providing the means to pay for the ornate Victorian decoration (1).

Another of my first impressions was of the difference in birds. The calls are different, and so are the birds that make them. The most common bird seems to be the magpie which is slightly smaller than a football, covered in black and while splotches and possessing a rather harsh caw. The magpies at Trinity College seem to like to sit outside our buildings and serenade us around 6:00 am. When we’ve been outside the city, I’ve spotted a few cockatoos and kookaburras sitting on electric lines or looking for food beside the road. Within the city, I’ve looked up a couple of times to see parrots perched in the trees or flying across campus, and on a visit to a nearby park, we saw several crimson rosellas.

Finally, I find that here I have an accent, and some of the words and phrases I use are a little different. For example: “raisins” are “sultanas,” “restrooms” are “toilets,” turning the radio on is “playing tunes,” and if I want to order coffee…actually I haven’t quite figured that out yet. Everyone is very friendly, though, so I’m sure when I need some extra caffeine, someone will help me understand what the menu means.

Overall, it’s been a lovely first week, and I’m excited to start the next!

 

(1) Hidden Melbourne: Why is there so much cast iron lacework on the buildings in Melbourne? http://hiddendocumentary.com/hidden-melbourne-why-is-there-so-much-cast-iron-lacework-on-the-buildings-in-melbourne/

Submitted by Rachel Mester on the 2016 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Animal and Food Sciences…

Being an adventurous person I started this trip out with a bang. I immediately started hiking and swimming and just doing something whenever I could. I have traveled before but it was nothing like the experience I am gaining now. Taking classes on top of being abroad is a challenge but I am beginning to adapt to the new changes. I go to class in the morning and then my day begins. On my first free afternoon, I traveled to Diamond Harbor. Here, I went hiking and then swimming in the local harbor. We had to take a two hour bus journey and a ferry to get to this amazing harbor though. The ferry ride was not so bad as I got to see amazing views of the harbor I was leaving and the one I was about to enter. Mountains filled my surroundings and the clear water beneath me made the view outstanding. Hiking was absolutely breathtaking and I enjoyed myself so much. Walking through the forest opened my eyes to so many new things I have never seen before, including new plants and even new insects.

We felt like we were climbing for hours, but it was all worth it. Climbing to the peaks of the harbor and then seeing the village around me was breathtaking and I do not regret taking the strenuous hike. The group I was with made our way to the beach at the harbor where we enjoyed skipping rocks and feeling the water between our toes. We sat there for about an hour just taking in the fresh air and quiet surroundings. I couldn’t have asked for a better spot to just sit and enjoy the view. We ended the trip with a nice jump in the cool harbor water. The clear water made jumping in so much easier because I could actually see what I was jumping into unlike most places I have gone swimming. The water was so refreshing after such a long day of activities and it was just what I needed. After this we took the long two hours back to campus where I spent the rest of the night thinking about how much I wanted to go back to that beautiful place.

The experience I had on those rocks was unreal. I learned to enjoy a different kind of beauty that I wasn’t used to in the States. I’m used to seeing city buildings and smog, but there I saw beautiful mountains and smelt fresh air. I know I’m going to remember that moment for the rest of my life. Diamond Harbor was something unreal, and it made me appreciate the world around me so much more.

Submitted by Sara Toner on the 2016 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Animal and Food Sciences…

After arriving in New Zealand, I was captivated by the land’s beauty.  From mountains to large pastures filled with livestock, everywhere I looked seemed to capture my attention and I wanted to soak everything in.  The city of Christchurch shares this same quality, but it is scarred by the devastation that occurred during the February 2011 earthquake.  The earthquake Christchurch experienced registered as a 6.3 on the Richter scale and had vertical acceleration up to two times that of gravity.  The city was badly damaged and 185 people lost their lives.

Even five years later, as I stand in the center of the city, the damage can be seen.  Cranes are found every few blocks working on reconstruction and building facades are being held up by shipping containers to maintain their integrity.  The cathedral that once stood tall is in shambles along with many of the surrounding buildings.

Even though I can see all of this with my own eyes, I didn’t understand how profound the impact was until talking to the locals.  Everyone we have met along our journey has been affected in some way by the earthquake, whether it be losing a home or losing friends.  It has become embedded in their culture and has had a huge impact on their way of life.  Errol Costello, whom we met along our journey, has lived in Christchurch all his life and told us that now when he is in the city he finds himself not recognizing what street he is on.  After equating streets with the buildings that were once on them, it is difficult now that those buildings are no longer there.

Although the earthquake caused so much destruction, the city of Christchurch is slowly beginning to rebuild. The progress that has been made shows the resilience and the determination of the New Zealand people. While they suffered a great loss that day and it will always be a part of their culture, they are all working together to rebuild and create a brighter future.  I am excited to continue this journey, meet these amazing people and continue to be amazed by the beautiful landscape I am surrounded by.

 

Submitted by Briana Lamet on the 2016 winter session program in Australia sponsored by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Mathematical Sciences…

I opted to fly to Australia without the rest of my study abroad group and arrive in Melbourne a day ahead of the professors and the majority of students. After 30+ hours of travel to get to my hotel, I was more than a little frazzled. Since my phone is new, I wasn’t able to purchase an Australian sim card to use while I am away so my access to communication is strictly WiFi-based. The hotel I was staying in for the first night here looked abandoned and had few accommodations. They did not have WiFi, they barely even had a receptionist! Immediately, I was flooded with panic. How could I rendezvous with the rest of the group in the morning if I couldn’t text them? What if I got lost and didn’t make it to the College we were supposed to be staying? Then I was flooded with regret. Why did I fly so far away from home? Why did I spend so much money to get here? What if I hate it? What if I feel this way all month? So, I wandered the inner city in search of a café that would have free WiFi so that I could text my Dad and professors about my distress, not thinking that the professors were on a plane headed in  my direction and the 16-hour time difference from back home meant my Dad was likely to be asleep. A I was walking around downtown Melbourne, I told myself it looked similar to downtown Philly or New York City, except a lot cleaner with a lot more interesting architecture. I found WiFi, mapped the morning’s rendezvous location in my phone, and went back to the dodgy hotel to try to sleep off all my anxiety.

In the morning, I was able to get in contact with the group and was finally moved into the dorm room that would be my home for the next month. The accommodations in the dorms were so much nicer than anything I was expecting that my worries started to melt away. Immediately, I found a couple of friends in the study abroad group to be my adventure buddies and we haven’t spent an idle minute in the city since. We are always looking for things to do and to see so that we can soak up as much of Melbourne as we can before heading back to “The States” (what the Aussies call the U.S.). I am now having such an amazing time exploring that I feel silly for having so many doubts in the first place. I guess that just goes to show you how much of a difference traveling with friends and being brave enough to explore can make.