After anxiously awaiting my semester abroad at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, I have finally begun my journey! I flew into the city just over a week ago and have been exploring non-stop. There have been a whirlwind of events including moving in, orientation, hiking, enrolling in classes, going to the beach, taking my first weekend trip, and so much more. Let me back it up though and start from when I landed.
My trip from Boston to Christchurch was about 35 hours with one delayed flight and 2 delayed bags. I arrived in Christchurch with just my purse and was provided a shuttle to my on-campus flat. The school provides linens and a cutlery pack to abroad students at a reduced price, so I made my bed and put away my dishes. Next, I found the nearest grocery store and mall and grabbed some food and clothes to hold me over before my bags arrived. It truly was the strangest feeling to be dropped in a foreign country with nothing and have to figure out everything from how to turn my stove on to how to navigate the bus system.
After I put some food in my body, I explored campus to see where exactly I signed up to study this semester. University of Canterbury is located due west of Christchurch, about a 30 min bus ride away. Campus is blooming with trees, flowers, and is such a breath of fresh air from the hustle and bustle of Northeastern. The campus isn’t too big, about a 10-15 minute walk from end to end, and sits next to the bus route that runs from the airport to downtown and the beach. The flat I’m in is about a 10 minute walk to the center of campus and consists of 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchenette attached to a common area. I am cooking for myself this semester and have found that there are not as many places to grab food close to campus here in the suburbs! Nonetheless, I am very excited to experience a semester on a more traditional campus.
Four days after I arrived and had time to adjust a little, get over the jet-lag, and had received my bags, I attended a day-long orientation for international students, most who were there for study. Different resource centers from the school came and gave presentations about all they have to offer and how we can take advantage of the programs for academic help and mental and physical help. A Police Officer also reminded us of the laws in New Zealand and how to stay safe while driving on the left side of the road. There was also a Maori person who offered some insight onto the people, culture, and language. The actual orientation has been very casual compared to the one I attended at the beginning of my freshman year at Northeastern. Besides the day-long orientation, there was only a one-hour class enrollment we had to sign up for which is UC’s in-person version of ‘I am Here’ that also includes a small campus tour for international/new students. With so much free time I was able to do multiple day trips and got to learn a lot about the city and surrounding areas.
So far, I have been able to visit the Botanical Garden, Sumner beach, downtown, Crater Rim Track – Bridle Path, and Hanmer Springs all by using the bus! Each attraction has been beautiful in its own way and the best part is they’ve all been free or very cheap. As a person who loves the outdoors, I was amazed that within a few days I was able to swim in the Pacific Ocean, go for a hike in the Southern Alps, and go decompress in natural hot springs. The small bit of New Zealand that I have seen is better than I could have imagined. Everywhere has breathtaking views and is fairly easy and close to get to. The people have been friendly and very welcoming, and the weather has been fantastic. Days can be unpredictable like Boston when it’s cloudy in the morning and sunny in the afternoon, making for a beautiful beach or hiking day. This past week has definitely reaffirmed my decision to study in New Zealand and has made me even more excited to travel around this picture-perfect country. I am most looking forward to camping and doing overnight backpacking trips with a few of my top destinations being Abel Tasman National Park, Fiordland National Park, and Mount Cook National Park. I also have my sights set on the Christchurch Marathon at the end of May and hope to set a personal record as it will be my third race. One other goal of mine is skydiving which I hope to do in Queenstown!
As egger as I am to travel and be adventurous, I sometimes forget that I am primarily here to study. Class started this morning and I definitely feel like a freshman again because in Boston I feel comfortable with the way class registration works, where the buildings are, and I know who my friends are. Most of the abroad students travelled alone and are trying to figure out who they will hang out with this semester, including myself. I also have to look at a map every time I step foot outside my flat! It’s funny because I remember going through all the same feelings 2 ½ years ago and some part of me is finding it frustrating to start over but the majority of me is up for the challenge and ready to see what happens. For instance, I am taking 2 philosophy classes, a rock-climbing class, and a Maori Culture class, all which are very different from my usual bioengineering classes in Boston. There are also hundreds of clubs here, some which I hope to join and learn a new sport such as surfing.
It still feels surreal that I am lucky enough to call this city home for the next 4 months! I can’t wait to share my thoughts with you during my time here. Thanks for reading!
