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After our free-day on Saturday, it was finally time to return home to the United States. Being in New Zealand gave me so many opportunities to create new experiences for myself, and I am extremely grateful that I was able to come on this trip abroad. While in New Zealand, I was able to learn so much about the culture of a place I had never been, including the impact of the Maori tribe, the importance of sport for the country, and even random things such as the feeling of insecurity the country has as a whole.

When I arrived back in the United States, I immediately noticed several differences between the two countries. One difference I noticed almost right after we got off the plane and walked through the airport, was the sheer amount of sports advertising we have in America. While in New Zealand the only tam shown on billboards was the All Blacks, however you see ads with teams from up to seven different sports on one street.

Although I was sad to leave New Zealand, I know that will not be the last time I visit it. I had some of the most unforgettable experiences while I was abroad, and I am eager to share my stories with everyone. Being able to spend three weeks in a country, learning about and immersing yourself in their culture was amazing. It is unfortunate that it couldn’t have been a semester, but I am looking forward to the next time I am able to visit!

Farewell NZ!

On our last Friday in New Zealand, we spent all day at the cricket match between the New Zealand Black Caps and the Pakistan national team. This was something I had been looking forward to the entire trip due to the atmosphere surrounding the sport in the country. I had also worked with several people from Britain over the summer, and all of them talked about how fun cricket matches were to go to.

When we arrived at the arena, we looked around and there were people everywhere, especially the grassy area across from the stands. We opted to go sit with the people in the grass, and it was similar to a giant picnic, except with live sports. Another thing about this match was that the people attending the match were incredibly nice. All of them would stop and ask us questions about America, and we even made it on the big screen TV. We were able to truly immerse ourselves in the culture of New Zealand, and talking with the people opened my eyes to how welcoming these people are to Americans.

After our vacation to Queenstown, we took a flight to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand where we continued to learn and play sports we had never come in contact with before. The day after we arrived, we took a trip to the ASB centre, a major sports recreation arena located in Wellington. Once we arrived here, we were taught the rules of Netball and Floor Hockey.

The first sport we played was Netball, which seems similar to basketball upon seeing the court, however, it is quite different. In Netball, you cannot move or dribble while you have the ball, only two players can score, and each player is restricted by areas within the court. While it was a fun experience, I can honestly say that I enjoy basketball a little more.

The next sport we played was floor hockey, which is similar to hockey, except you play with a ball and on a basketball court. I thought this sport was really exciting because everyone was pretty decent, making it pretty competitive. After playing these sports, I was fairly exhausted, but luckily, I was awarded a Netball for scoring a couple of goals in floor hockey. Being given this was actually pretty awesome because now I have a souvenir, but upon being given that ball, I realized that we only had a couple of days left and that I had to continue making the most of my experiences.

On our final day in Queenstown, we all decided to have an experience and go bungee jumping off of the Kawarau bridge, a 43-meter drop. Having been skydiving, initially I wasn’t very nervous. On the ride to the bridge I overheard almost everyone talking about how they weren’t going to be able to jump, while I sat eagerly waiting to put on my harness.

It wasn’t until I got up on the plank that I began to panic. As I looked down I desperately tried to grab anything near me in order to keep my balance, but as soon as the guide started to count down, I knew I was in too deep. Once he said three I jumped off of the ledge and fell down to the river, while my stomach simultaneously shot out of my body.

I had never had so much adrenaline coursing through my body, and once I hit the boat the only thing I wanted to do was more jumps. This adventure capped off a visit to one of the most amazing cities I have ever been in. Queenstown was full of awesome things to do, and no matter what types of things you enjoyed, you would never be bored in this city. I truly hope that I can make a return someday.

After our first night in Queenstown, we were all left excited for the next day, where we all had different activities scheduled. Will and I had chosen to leave the day open, to find out different things to do around the city, while other students had scheduled other outdoor activities.

We walked around the city for a bit, taking in the scenery and observing the different street performers who could be found on any corner. After looking around for a bit, we decided to find something a little more exciting to indulge in.

While there were dozens of options to choose from, I had seen some of the different mountain bikers riding around, and suggested we try it. Rental shops could seemingly be found inside almost every store in the city, and upon finding one we trusted, we reserved bikes and lift passes for after lunch.

We got our gear, and began to ride to the gondola that would take us up to the top, beside where we had street luged the day before. We arrived at the top, and were immediately taken aback by the level of difficulty surrounding this activity. We began riding, and although it was strenuous, it was some of the most fun I have ever had (a common theme of the activities on this trip).

We rode down several trails, which would take up to 40 minutes to complete. We flew down the mountain side, riding on what seemed like the edge of the mountain, overlooking the beautiful lake and surrounding mountains. With each minute, I began to feel more confident with my riding, leading to me crashing on a turn from going too fast. Once we had enough we returned to the bottom of the mountain and rode around the city until we returned our bikes.

Once we had turned in our gear, we immediately realized what an intense sport we had just participated in. Locals would ask us why we were covered in dirt, and when we told them we had gone mountain biking, they could not believe it. We were told that not many people who were visiting Queenstown participate in this, due to the level of intensity, something that made us feel pretty accomplished. Needless to say, we were completely exhausted after riding, and we had quite possibly the perfect first full day of Queenstown behind us.

After staying in Dunedin for four days, next on our agenda was to head to Queenstown, the tourism capital of the country. This part of the trip, everyone had been waiting patiently for, as the entire time we would be in Queenstown would be free time. During the buildup to the trip to this city, we all began researching things to do, and although expensive, everything we signed up for seemed unbelievable.

Although I liked Dunedin much more than Auckland, the bus ride to Queenstown could not come soon enough. We were prepared to sleep the entire 5 hour ride, however, about an hour into the drive, we were exposed to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. We were constantly driving through valleys and up mountains on roads that seemed far too dangerous to drive a bus on. Once we arrived in the city, however, we were shown the true beauty of New Zealand.

The first thing we did as a group was take a gondola up the mountain which overlooked the city and the surrounding areas. Riding up the gondola was one of the quietest any of us had been, as we were awestruck by the view. Upon getting to the top, we all had to take about 100 pictures each, because we knew we would never see such a beautiful scene again.

After our photo shoot, we all began racing in the street luge that sat atop the mountain. As soon as we got to the front of the line we were told not to race each other competitively, not to bump each other, and to take it easy. Unfortunately, these rules didn’t seem to be heeded by anyone, and once again everyone’s competitive side came out.

We all shot down the mountain, each wanting to claim victory, even if for one of the Maryland students it meant flipping out of her cart. We rode down the side of the mountain, overlooking the amazing view, having the time of our lives; however, we all knew that this was just the beginning of possibly the best weekend of our lives.

The second sport we were able to gain some experience with, while in Dunedin, was cricket when we visited the Otago Cricket club. Cricket, a sport we rarely hear about in the U.S and think of as a knock-off to baseball, happens to be the second largest sport in the world, and when talking to our guest lecturer about it, it was clear how much it meant to these people.

A sport that had always confused me greatly, cricket is played all around the world and touches many countries, as well as their cultures. We began learning about cricket from our guest lecturer, Will, who passed around a bat and ball and showed us a video explaining the rules of the game. After this brief intro, I was already excited to play, although I was nervous because the game seemed tough.

Once again, we made our way down to the park and started to separate into teams after practicing the different positions. Once we were divided we began to split into our positions and the game commenced.

Our team was in the outfield first, waiting patiently to get a wicket, or the equivalent of an out in baseball. The object was for the bowler (pitcher) to throw the ball down the middle, trying to get it past the batter to hit one of the wickets. Once you have gotten all but one batter out, the teams switch sides. If the batter managed to hit the ball, us outfielders either had to catch it, or return it to the bowler as fast as possible. Usually a team can score over 100 runs while they are at bat; however, thanks to our team’s stellar defense, we limited the others to 17 runs.

Once we got to bat, the game was over. We were able to surpass the other team having only had four batters up, meaning there were seven people on our team left to bat. I will admit, at bat I had a poor performance, but I blame it on the game already being over, causing my sense of urgency to drop.

Learning the rules and playing this sport was an exciting experience, and afterwards we found ourselves becoming interested in the cricket matches that are always on TV. Cricket is a sport that can last up to five days, depending on the type of match being played, but it is easy to see why it can still capture the attention of the world. Coming to New Zealand was incredible for several reasons, but I think learning about the cultures surrounding the people and the sports they play is one of the most beneficial aspects of the trip.

Aside from surfing, my favorite part about Dunedin was learning and playing sports I had never had any previous experience with. Coming to another country is always an exciting experience, and learning about the differences in culture surrounding the people and sports has been interesting. By doing this we were able to discover how different our sporting culture, as well as the sports we play, is from the rest of the world.

After one of my favorite lectures we attended, by Dr. Mike Sam, we were able to try out some rugby, arguably the most important sport to the people of New Zealand. I had always been confused by rugby, so thankfully we started by learning the rules, how the game is scored, and practicing a little before commencing the actual game. After our quick practice session, we began to divide teams and attempt to discuss strategy.

At first, I was overwhelmed by the pace of the game, as well as the seemingly disorganized and thrown together rules; however, after a bit of playing, it was one of the most fun sports I have played. We played the ‘touch’ version of rugby, but due to a couple of lapses in judgement, we were still able to see the violent aspect of this sport.

One thing I quickly discovered about rugby was how exhausting it is. Different from American Football, a sport with only around 13 minutes of actual play, rugby is constantly flowing, something my body was not ready for. Thankfully our team caught on quickly, making it much easier for everyone on our side. Another tactic we deployed near the end was just to punt it and sprint, something we were quite good at due to the fact we had an all-star punter in Maddison; although, once the game was complete, my legs were still indicators that I had myself quite the workout.

This experience allowed us to immerse ourselves further into the culture of NZ, and gain an understanding as to why this is the biggest sport for New Zealanders. Rugby was an extremely fun, exhausting, and competitive sport, making me wonder why it was not more popular back home. Learning the rules and playing the game highlighted several differences between American sport and the rest of the worlds sports, as well as making me feel a little more a part of the New Zealand culture.

One of the most thrilling activities we have been able to do thus far on our trip abroad, was to go surfing off of the coast of Dunedin. I had been surfing several times before but this time, it was a completely different experience. Once we arrived at the beach, we were served some fish and chips, which were perfect considering I had not eaten all day. Afterwards we began to get ready for hitting the waves by getting dressed in our wetsuits, or long johns for the water. These suits were incredibly tight and took at least five minutes to get on, however, if we had not been wearing them, I honestly think I may have gotten hypothermia. That day, the wind was blowing hard and the waves were much larger than any I had ridden before. Each time I rode out, I was crushed at least three times before I could even attempt to catch on; however, once I was able to get started, I could not stop. Surfing that day was an absolutely awesome experience, and with every wave I caught, the more I wanted to catch. I went abroad to experience new things, and surfing those waves were like nothing I had ever done. By the end of our time slot, I was completely exhausted. For the final fifteen minutes, I could not even attempt to fight the waves I was so tired, but that did not stop me from trying. I thought this was one of the more exciting things I have done in my entire life, and I recommend it to anyone who is willing to try.

#surf #newzealand

Although Auckland was fun, once the week was over it was time to travel to another city in New Zealand. On Monday, we woke up early and caught a flight to Dunedin, a smaller, more rural city in New Zealand on the southern island. As soon as we stepped off of the plane, it was clear we were in a new place. Dunedin was a much more quaint city, surrounded by nature. The mountains surrounded the city, and there were no large buildings like those in Auckland. However, like we had done in Auckland, after we settled in in Dunedin we all went for a hike. Different from the hike in Auckland, this hike was much more scenic, not to mention it was pretty difficult. This hike was, at some part, straight uphill and filled with different type of vegetation that I have not seen anywhere else. Once we got to the top of the Organ Pipes, we were able to climb to the tops of a rock formation that had formed when an earthquake knocked some of them down. It was at this time I found myself appreciating the earthquakes because the view from the top was amazing, and without them I doubt I would have been able to see it. This view was the New Zealand I was expecting to see when I first arrived, and I am extremely glad I was able to experience it.

#gif

One of the last things we were able to do in Auckland, before our flight to Dunedin, was visit the New Zealand All Blacks’ Stadium, Eden Park. The All Blacks, the national rugby team for New Zealand, are without a doubt the most important sports team in the country and are a source of identity for the nation. The All Blacks are the most successful rugby team in history, and are arguably the most successful sports team ever. This historic ground has been the home of the All Blacks since the first international game held at the stadium in 1921, and since then fans have become accustomed to winning every time the team takes the pitch. The All Blacks have won three Rugby World Cups and are by far the most successful team in New Zealand, and when visiting their home stadium we were able to get an understanding for who the All Blacks were and what made them so successful. The All Blacks, much like the people of New Zealand, maintain a low profile and do not let their successes blow up their egos. This was evident by the way their gym, locker room, and facilities were designed. Everything in the stadium was modest, with white walls and little decoration, while the few words on the walls all had to do with being united as a team. Their facilities were completely different from that of any NFL or NBA team, whose locker rooms are almost always equipped with the latest technologies, decorated extravagantly, and blare music up until game time. The All Blacks locker room and facilities were modest and ego free places, where the players silently focus before each game. I thought it was interesting how this visit highlighted these differences in culture.

One of my favorite things we were able to do in Auckland was to attend a game, meet some of the staff members, and meeting the Head Coach of the New Zealand Breakers, a professional basketball team playing in the Australian Basketball League. This experience helped me understand how New Zealand sports teams go about marketing themselves, how the recruit their players, and what a typical professional game’s atmosphere is like. We met the Head coach of the Breakers, as well as two of the staffers who deal with marketing last Friday, and we were able to listen to each of them speak for about 45 minutes each. Throughout their talk I was comparing what they were saying to how an NBA team or how the West Virginia University (WVU) team operates, and there were many differences that I found interesting. One of the biggest differences between the Breakers and a team from the U.S is that the Breakers have two stadiums, both in Auckland. One of these stadiums, the North Shore Events Center, is the older and smaller stadium, while Spark Arena is newer and bigger. I feel like this would be confusing and maybe even annoying for fans. Both of these stadiums, however, do not hold many people, and the average attendance is 5,500, while even college teams in the U.S, like WVU, hold at least 10,000 fans and are sold out consistently. There is also a difference in the game day environment with the Breakers having a much more family oriented game experience, while college and NBA games in the states are full of rowdy cheering and intense fans. Overall, however, I thought the Breakers were a great team and it is one of my favorite experiences so far, but it did highlight some of the cultural differences between the U.S and New Zealand.

#newzealand #nzbreakers

This past weekend we had a good amount of “free time” which we used to explore some of the islands that are off the coast of Auckland. We woke up early and took a ferry ride to the first island we went to, Rangitoto. On this island, we hiked over six miles and were exposed to the natural beauty that is found all around New Zealand. This island, a dormant volcano, was almost completely uninhabited by people, and we did not see any wildlife besides the birds and the vegetation that covers Rangitoto. We explored the lava caves, as well as making it to the summit where we could overlook the city of Auckland. The second island we went to, Waiheke, exposed us to the more commercial side of New Zealand, as it was inhabited by many people, had many restaurants and bars, and was a huge tourist destination. The beach was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, and you were able to explore it as freely as you like. The island also had several vineyards where you could go run around and participate in wine tastings. Waiheke island showed me how the country of New Zealand turns their natural beauty into more of a commodity, used to attract tourists and for financial gain, and I found it interesting how two islands so close to each other can be used so differently.

#gif #newzealand

Hello once again from New Zealand! So far, the trip has been a fantastic experience and the culture of this country is amazing. In Auckland, the biggest city in the country, you can go from walking through a busy, car packed street, to running into one of the many Maori tributes throughout New Zealand. New Zealand was founded in 1840, when the British came and colonized the land, however, it was already home to the indigenous Maori people. The Maori were then treated as second class citizens, with disregard and disrespect; however, the Maori people helped shape the current culture of all New Zealanders, and these tributes stand to honor them and their culture. These Maori statues, houses, and tributes are located all around the city of Auckland, as well as the country of New Zealand. They serve as a reminder of where the culture of the country came from, as well as to remind the people who are descendants of the Maori, of where they once were. These areas serve as a way to pay homage to the people of the past and present, and it is one of the many cool things about New Zealand that I have discovered thus far.

#miaminewzealandstudyabroad

Hello and greetings to everyone back at home! I have just arrived in Auckland, New Zealand for my three week long study abroad trip and so far it is one of the coolest places I have ever been.

After stepping off the plane into a country I have never been before, I instantly noticed the beauty of this place. Although we are spending our first week in Auckland, New Zealand’s biggest city, the amount of nature surrounding us and incorporated into the city is overwhelming. There isn’t a moment that goes by without you seeing a field of grass, a group of trees, or simply decorations that use different forms of vegetation.

Some of you may know that New Zealand has been used in several movies or shows whenever there are scenes that require a great amount of nature, most notably the Lord of the Rings; however it is not just some parts of New Zealand that are like this, it is almost all of it. Throughout this trip we will be participating in many different outdoors activities, such as hiking, visiting islands, and going ATV riding through the mountains. This blog will be a way for me to share all of my experiences with everyone back home, and I can’t wait for you all to see!

#gif #newzealand

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