New Zealand Short Term Programs Summer Session

My First Week in New Zealand

Submitted by Riley Browning on the 2023 summer program in New Zealand…

This week was my first week in New Zealand. As I have been here I have been able to reflect on the differences in farm production and eco-friendly aspects of New Zealand compared to the United States. The biggest difference in farm production that I have seen so far is the open pasture farms that are here. All the livestock in New Zealand have full access to all the grass in their paddock. They are not given supplemental nutrients because they receive all the necessary nutrients from the grass in their paddock. Therefore, they are spending no money on feed. Whereas in the United States, all our cattle are fed a mixture of grass and supplemental roughages to equal the need requirements of our cattle. These dairy farms are just as efficient if not more than the United States in producing milk. The only food their cattle get is grass. We spend so much extra money on these nutrient supplements because we don’t have the space to allow our cattle full access to graze on all grass, all day, every day. Can we do better?

Another difference I have thought a lot about is something so simple that I think it can be implemented in the United States quickly. The dining hall of Lincoln University has a separate bucket from the trash for organic material to be thrown out. I have never been to a buffet in a university dining hall or another restaurant where there is a special bin for organic material. It all just gets thrown away with the other trash. I think we could easily have a dedicated bucket for organic leftover food material that all gets thrown together and can be reused into our soil to make more food.

The last thing I want to mention for this week is the blue water. I live in Delaware and go to the beach in Delaware. Our beach water is green or brown. You can see 1 inch into the water. In New Zealand, I can see multiple feet to the bottom of the water. The water is beautiful! What can we do to clean up our oceans? (Week 1).

Embracing Every Moment

Submitted by Stephanie Stapf on the 2023 summer program in New Zealand and Australia…

We are now at our final location, which is a town in Australia called Brisbane. We started off by attending a cultural tour where we learned about the Aboriginal people of the country. The tour guide provided us with extremely detailed and insightful information about indigenous practices, including those of her own tribe. I learned that the Aboriginal people were historically able to make use of the environment using knowledge equivalent to the present discoveries of scientists. Additionally, in Australia, the indigenous land is recognized in most public places, which is uncommon in the United States. I have realized how important and necessary this acknowledgment is, and am determined to educate myself on the historical and present indigenous cultures of my town.

The next day, we hopped onto a train and headed to the beaches of Gold Coast. When we arrived, the surfboards were out and ready for us. I was pretty nervous and did not think I would be able to come close to standing up on one. I ended up doing much better than I had anticipated, and rode a wave nearly all the way to shore! Surfing has never been an item on my bucket list, but I am so glad that this program pushed me outside of my comfort zone. Activities like this have made me so appreciative of this opportunity and all of the adventures I have been able to pursue. I do not think I would have signed up for a surfing lesson on my own before this, and now I can say that I am eager to surf again.

As our final week approaches, I am trying my best to embrace every moment. I am looking forward to learning more about Brisbane, as well as more about myself. Every day has been a new adventure, and I am not quite done exploring Australia yet.

Working through my Bucket List

Submitted by Stephanie Stapf on the 2023 summer program in New Zealand and Australia…

My final week in Australia was much more relaxed, but still allowed me to cross off numerous items on my bucket list. One of these items was snorkeling, which we did along a coral reef site on Moreton Island. I had no idea what to expect and was nervous about the logistics of being able to breathe. The experience ended up being less intense than I expected, and more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. I found it so amazing how clearly I could witness all of the sea life, including the vivid colors of the fish and the immaculate details of the coral reef. These sights felt like they could have come from a movie, and it is hard to believe that I was seeing such a beautiful display with my own eyes, in real-time. The experience was followed up with a presentation, during which we learned about the effects of global warming and what we could do to help protect these ecosystems. The instructor exhibited so much knowledge and passion, emphasizing how important and urgent these environmental concerns are.

Snorkeling along the coast of Moreton Island

Encompassing everything I have learned on this trip into a paragraph would be impossible. I have discovered so much about the world and myself. This was my first time traveling outside of the United States, so I did not have any clear expectations. These thirty days have been the most eventful in my life. The sights of my first foreign country during the 6 a.m. bus ride from Auckland Airport will be ingrained in my mind forever. I embarked on countless educational opportunities while also experiencing bucket-list sights and activities. I floated on a raft through a cave in New Zealand, climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, pet a Kangaroo, and embarked on so many other once-in-a-lifetime experiences. New Zealand and Australia have a special place in my heart, and I am already planning my next trip back.

My Final Week Abroad

Submitted by Taylor Lynch on the 2023 summer program in New Zealand and Australia…

I can’t believe that my time on my study abroad trip is coming to an end. This has been an amazing trip, and I will definitely be leaving with lifelong memories as well as amazing friends. Going on a trip like this has been a truly unique experience, and I am very happy that I decided to go through with it and try something that was out of my comfort zone. The amazing people that I have met, as well as the new places and cultures that I was able to learn about and experience, made the long trip to Australia and New Zealand worth it.

During the last week in Brisbane we went to Moreton Island to snorkel along the ship ruins there. When we got off the ferry and walked onto the island, I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was. The water was so clear and blue, and the actual island itself was covered in trees, and lots of white sand. There is a line of about 15 ships that were purposefully sunk in the water that surrounds the island. We were able to snorkel around them to see the wrecks as well as the wildlife around them. When we got into the water, it was so crazy to see how many fish as well as coral were around the wreck. Looking around at all of the different types of fish around me was such a cool experience. It was also astonishing to see all of the different types of fish there and how they all got along and were able to co-exist. On the shipwrecks, there were also many different types of corals that were growing on them, and the wrecks also acted as shelter for the fish. It was amazing to see the huge ecosystem that was able to be created from these wrecks, and how a new community of sea life is able to flourish there.

After snorkeling we were able to learn more about the history of the wrecks that we just saw. I was surprised to find out that the ships were purposefully sunk in that area. The Queensland Government purposefully sank fifteen ships over the course of a few years in order to create a place for boats to safely stop and anchor on the island. This was really interesting to learn about and something that I have never heard of or knew was an option. I always thought prior to this experience that shipwrecks would be harmful to the ocean and its ecosystems. However, seeing how all of the animals living at the wrecks were able to flourish, and that these ships were purposely sunk, it is apparent that it was a beneficial decision for both the people as well as the ocean wildlife.

For our last excursion as a group, we went kayaking on the Brisbane River. I have never been kayaking before so I was really excited to try it out. I was also looking forward to being able to see the city of Brisbane from a different angle. It was really cool to be able to kayak in the river and the views of the city from where we were was really pretty. The current of the river was going towards us, so it was a little hard to paddle down the river. On the way back, however, it was really easy since we had the help of the current. This was a fun last activity to do as a group, and I really am going to miss being able to experience new things in these amazing cities.

Overall, I had a wonderful time in both New Zealand and Australia, and have learned so much during my time on this study abroad trip. Learning about the culture and native people of both New Zealand and Australia was definitely a highlight. I think it is very interesting to learn about the history of other countries and see how it differs from the US. It was also amazing to be able to experience a new culture and a way of living. This was a good reminder of how different people chose to live their lives, yet are still able to be connected to the world around them. This was definitely a great experience, and I would recommend it to anyone to study abroad if they are considering it.

The Past Few Days in Brisbane

Submitted by Taylor Lynch on the 2023 summer program in New Zealand and Australia…

After spending the last 10 days in Sydney, Australia, we traveled to Brisbane, Australia for the last 10 days of the trip. It is crazy to think that my study abroad journey is coming to an end, but I have greatly enjoyed my time so far. Once we got to Brisbane, one thing that I noticed right away was the difference in the weather. It is very warm here and the sun feels a lot stronger. It is a nice change from the start of the trip when we were in New Zealand, and having warmer weather allows us to take more advantage of the beautiful beaches here. The city of Brisbane is also very beautiful but isn’t as built up as Sydney is. One thing that I have found really nice about living in a city is the public transportation system. We have been able to take the train or the tram to any place that we wish, and it has been really easy to hop on one and get to our destination. I have never lived in a city setting like this before, so it was a nice surprise to be able to see what having public transportation options is like.

View from my seat at the Australia and France World Cup match

Since we are here partially for the World Cup, we were able to go to the Australia and France quarter-final game. I was really excited to be able to go to this game specifically because I would be able to see the host country’s team play. As expected, the majority of the stadium was filled with Australian fans, and the excitement and pride that they had for their team was definitely able to be felt. Whenever their team got the ball and was close to scoring, the stadium would erupt and it was so crazy to be in an environment like that. It was truly an amazing experience and just added to the love that I have for this sport. The game was also very close and ended in a tie even after extra time. As a result, the game was forced to go into penalties, which caused a tense feeling among all fans watching. The penalty kick round was back and forth for 10 rounds until the Australian team was finally able to pull out the win. The whole stadium went crazy, and their fans were even cheering for their team and the victory as we were walking back after the game. Being in that electric atmosphere is a truly crazy feeling, and being able to be there in person at these high-risk games is a lot different than watching it from home.

Another fun activity that I have done when in Brisbane was going to the Australia Zoo. The Australia Zoo is run by the Irwin’s in memory of Steve Irwin. I have been a fan of the Irwins for a while, so I was really excited to be able to visit their zoo. They are really big advocates for animals and wildlife conservation efforts. They also ensure that each of the animals in the zoo have the proper enclosure, and are fully taken care of. I am at times weary of going to zoos because the animals sometimes may not live in not ideal living conditions. However, this was not the case at the Australia Zoo, and each of the animals there had a very large enclosure and seemed to be content. It was really amazing to see the native Australian animals like Dingos, Kangaroos, Koalas, and so many more amazing animals. A highlight from my time there was being able to feed and pet the kangaroos. They had this area there called Roo Heaven, where you are able to go into a large open field with kangaroos and go up to them to pet and feed them. The kangaroos were surprisingly calm and were fine with people going up to them. Everyone in there was very respectful of the kangaroos and was mindful of how they were going to interact with the kangaroos. This wasn’t something that I was expecting the zoo to have and I am really happy that I was able to have this experience with a type of animal that I have not seen or been near before.

Overall, I have had an amazing time in Brisbane so far and on this study abroad trip as a whole. It is sad to think that I have less than a week left in Australia but I am thankful for the amount of time that I had to be able to explore Sydney as well as Brisbane. I really enjoy being able to immerse myself in new cities and a new culture and being able to learn about a different way of life. Being on this trip has helped me find a love of traveling, and finding comfort in pushing myself out of my comfort zone and trying new things. I have done a lot of new activities while on this trip, so being able to let go of some of the control and put trust in others has been really important, and a skill that has grown in me.

Touring the Sydney Opera House

Submitted by Taylor Lynch on the 2023 summer program in New Zealand and Australia…

The next stop on my study abroad trip is Australia. We are now currently staying in Sydney, Australia and one of the excursions that we were able to go on was touring the Sydney Opera House. I was very excited to be able to go and see the Opera House because I feel like it is one of the most iconic symbols seen in Australia. The architecture of the building is also so interesting and unique, so I couldn’t wait to be able to see it in person.

It was really interesting to be able to learn about the history of the building’s construction and all of the small details that went into making it. One piece that was really cool to me was that they used certain types of wood in the theaters in order to make the sound quality better. The wood that is used on the wall and the stage is meant to project sound so that no form of volume enhancement, like a microphone, needs to be used during performances. The wood used in the seats, on the other hand, is able to absorb sound so that the sound the audience makes doesn’t disrupt the performance. This is one of the many cool details that were added to the opera house that most people wouldn’t notice or think about at first glance.

The land that the Opera House is on is also so pretty since it is right on the harbor. The original architect of the building wanted there to be a lot of windows ensuring that there could be a view of the harbor no matter where you were in the Opera House. The construction of the Opera House took a lot more time and money than first estimated, and the Australian government officials at that time were very upset by this. They eventually forced the original architect out of the project and brought in three new ones to finish the interior design in a fast manner.

It was very interesting and eye-opening to learn about the structure and history of this iconic landmark. The effort that went into making it was very crazy and more intense than I would’ve expected. From this trip, I was able to gain a new appreciation for architecture and learn about all of the little details that go into making buildings this scale. Each aspect put into it has a purpose and isn’t picked at random. Everything down to the type of wood and the types of tile put onto the roof has a specific purpose.

Overall, I have been enjoying being able to see these landmarks that you see in the media and see what they look like in person. At every place we have visited so far, there has also been an acknowledgment at the beginning of the tour of the indigenous people and how these landmarks, and where we are standing, are on their land. It is very important to be able to have that recognition of the native people because it was originally their land, and it was sadly taken from them. Having that acknowledgment helps to slowly build back their trust in others outside of their culture, and give them the honor that was taken away. The US should take note of countries that are doing this and provide more respect and consideration to the Native American populations.

Transition from New Zealand to Australia

Submitted by Taylor Lynch on the 2023 summer program in New Zealand and Australia…

As the second week of my study abroad trip comes to a finish, I am in awe of how many activities we have done and the amazing experiences I have had so far. The first ten days in New Zealand were really amazing to be able to see the beautiful landscapes and immerse myself into a new culture. We stayed in Hamilton, New Zealand during our time there, so on our last day we took a few hours to tour the city of Auckland. It was a stark contrast from Hamilton since Auckland is a built-up big city with many shops and busy streets filled with people; while Hamilton is a more calm and suburban area. It was nice to be able to experience both ways of living in New Zealand and see what the different areas were like.

While in Auckland, we were able to go into the Sky Tower which is a famous landmark in Auckland and is 1,076 feet tall. The views from the top were so pretty and you were able to get a perfect overview of the whole city. The city seemed so calm from above, and the difference from when we were up in the Sky Tower and walking in the city was crazy. After a few short hours, we were off to the airport to travel to Sydney, Australia.

Once in Sydney, I was intrigued to see what differences would be present from Hamilton where we were staying previously. Sydney is more of a city where everything is very walkable and there are a lot of things to do and see. On our first full day there we were able to explore the city more, and it was interesting to see the similarities and differences from Hamilton. Staying in Hamilton was a little boring at times because there wasn’t much to do, and the weather was very cold most days. Being in Sydney now, there is a lot to do with many activities that are a walkable distance away. The weather here is also a lot warmer which is a good change coming from the cold.

Overall, it has been amazing to experience these two different places both with their own aspects that make them special. It is cool to be able to get the chance to go to these countries and be able to fully immerse myself in new cultures. Having never traveled outside of the country before, it is eye-opening to be able to see the way of living in these countries and how they compare to what I would be used to in the US. It is important, while visiting new countries, to be mindful of how you explore and learn about the culture set in that place. You want to go into new situations with curiosity and an open mind instead of having a prior bias that may skew how you view a new place. It is important to be a “mindful tourist” when going to new countries, which is something that I have come to realize over these two weeks. It is best to not be intrusive into their culture but to want to learn and educate yourself in a thoughtful way.

Experiencing the USWNT Opening Game at the World Cup

Submitted by Taylor Lynch on the 2023 summer program in New Zealand and Australia…

The Women’s World Cup is currently happening with games taking place in New Zealand and Australia. I have always enjoyed watching the World Cup on TV whether it was the men’s or women’s, and have always been a fan of the women’s national soccer team. I have played soccer since I was about five, so I have a strong connection to the sport. I have always wanted to go see the US women’s team play in person but have never gotten the chance, so I was very excited to be able to get this opportunity to see them play in person at the World Cup.

When we arrived at Eden Stadium in New Zealand, you could feel the excitement from fans from both the US as well as Vietnam. There were so many people all dressed up in their team’s colors and jerseys, and it was really fun to see what everyone was wearing. My favorite fan outfit that I saw was probably the people dressed as the Statue of Liberty. The energy in the stadium also was amazing, and all of the fans were very loud and proud to be there for their teams.

It was really amazing to see how much of an effect a sporting event can have on people. There were over 40,000 people in attendance at the stadium meaning that there were many people that probably had a long journey to get to New Zealand just so they were able to cheer on their team in person. The dedication of the fans is really crazy to see and it is truly eye-opening to be in that environment and see the different emotions of the people around you as the game goes on. Both US and Vietnam fans were proudly cheering on their team the whole game, and were heavily invested in what was happening. Sports have a way of bringing a big group of people together and providing a sense of pride as well as competitiveness for the individuals who enjoy watching.

I will be going to two other World Cup games in the following weeks, and I am excited to see how fans from other countries will act for their team. It will be exciting to see the other matches with new countries playing in them, to see whether or not the dynamic changes. The atmosphere created for this type of elite sport is really amazing to witness in person, and I am so thankful for this experience. I remember watching the women’s World Cup four years ago at home on TV and hoping that I would get the chance one day to watch my team play in person. Now being able to have that opportunity and actually go to the game was really amazing, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of my trip in New Zealand and Australia have to hold.

Exploring Sydney, Australia

Submitted by Stepfanie Stapf on the 2023 summer session program in New Zealand and Australia…

For the past few days, I have been experiencing life in Sydney, Australia. After just a few hours of being in Australia, we headed to the Germany v. Colombia Women’s World Cup Match. The stadium was spectacular, and the energy in the crowd was incredible. Fans of both teams filled the stadium. The voices of Colombian fans carried tremendously throughout the opening ceremony and the entirety of the game. I do not know much about soccer, but the passion of the players and fans made each play so captivating. I found myself becoming emotional while witnessing the amount of love that Colombian fans have for their team and their country. The fans seemed like one big family, who were mostly strangers yet had so much in common. I had no idea that a sport could have such a unifying impact.

Being in Sydney, we had to make a stop at the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. We embarked on a three-hour climb across the entirety of the bridge, covering both the length and the height. Once we reached the 134 meter peak of the bridge, I looked down and could see all of Sydney with my own eyes. At that moment, I felt like I was on top of the world. It is easy to be in a city and forget how far away from home I am, but these views allowed me to zoom out from my immediate surroundings and understand how once-in-a-lifetime this experience was. Throughout the climb, our tour guide told us all of the history that has made the bridge so well-known. We accomplished the climb, and moved on to tour the Sydney Opera House. Although this walk was less physically demanding, the experience was just as memorable. The complexity of the construction of the bridge and opera house was astounding to me. It is difficult to imagine how many materials, alterations, and humans were needed to build these magnificent landmarks.

I have a new appreciation for historical architecture, including the detail and precision that is portrayed. While learning about the general history of the city of Sydney, I have also been able to become familiar with the community health initiatives and health care system present in Australia. You learn the most about a culture by immersing yourself in it, which I am grateful to have the opportunity to do. (Submitted on August 6, 2023)

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb in front of Sydney Opera House

A Visit to Cork

Submitted by Danny Maney on the 2023 summer session program in Ireland…

This past week, we had a “free weekend” and a majority of the people I was with decided to go to the next largest Irish city, Cork. The main reason for going there was to visit the Blarney Castle, which apparently is an Ireland tourism staple. When we went, it was like nothing I had ever experienced before. The trip up to kiss the blarney stone was a must when we visited. One of our inside jokes was that we would rank all the castles we went to based on how hard it would be to siege them. This started when we went on a tour of a tower in Waterford and the tour guide talked about how they made the steps uneven so it would be harder to siege for a long time. Anyways, the Blarney steps would have been particularly hard to siege and it was this long spiral staircase that had a bunch of little doors to the different rooms of the castle. There was also a “murder hole” where I guess the castle dwellers would dump hot water down on invaders, I found it interesting that this was something of note in the castle. When we got up to the roof, the stone itself was a lot smaller than I expected it to be. It was part of the castle wall and when we went to kiss it, we had to bend backwards to reach it. I never really thought I was afraid of heights until that moment. There was a railing and there were workers to hold us up but the whole ordeal was quite terrifying. I can’t think of any American tourist attraction where something like that would happen. We also got to walk around the grounds after and it honestly didn’t feel like we were even in Ireland anymore. There was lush greenery that made me feel like we were in the middle of the jungle.

Another thing that we did in Cork was go walk around the University College Cork campus when no one was around. There were a lot of differences between this campus and UD for example. There was an art gallery that was open for us to wander around and was free. Also, we made it into one of the lecture halls and it was significantly smaller than the ones in UD. There was also a main green area which again was smaller than the one at UD. This campus was also very different from Trinity college, which is where we stayed in Dublin, mostly due to age. Trinity was founded in the 1500’s while UCC was founded in 1845. There was also a river that flowed through campus and it made for some really nice pictures. I found it odd that we were just able to go into most of the buildings, even though there weren’t that many people there. This would never happen at UD as I think that most of the academic buildings are closed on the weekends. We also got to see a cathedral and again I am absolutely in awe of the way churches are built here. A lot of the catholic ones were built more recently, as after the protestant reformation under King Henry the VII, all the old churches were seized and converted the Protestantism. The Irish Catholics really had a chance to build magnificent churches in the 19th and 20th centuries. (Submitted on July 18, 2023)