GRIP, Research Abroad What I'm Grateful for So Far

Now that I have spent two weeks in New Zealand, I feel more confident in this new environment and grateful for memories that have made my time here meaningful. I want to share with you the people and places that I appreciate most.

First, my host mom, Deborah, has really helped me get acclimated. Her kindness and hospitality is a big reason why I feel at home here. One of my biggest concerns when I arrived was figuring out my phone plan. She drove me to the mall and helped me set up my phone there. Just this past weekend, she took Hanadi, my friend and fellow program participant, and me to the beautiful Auckland Botanic Gardens and geothermal pools in Parakai, where we had a great time. In addition, she offered to help us plan our trip to the South Island later this month and gave great recommendations for lodging and places to visit.

I’m also grateful for Hanadi, who has encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone more. We have had a lot of fun exploring the city. Navigating the bus system has been tricky at times but less intimidating, thanks to her. So far, we have seen a movie together, visited the Auckland art gallery and museum, and tried cute cafes and restaurants. I’m looking forward to branching out and visiting more places outside of Auckland.

I love spending time in nature, and New Zealand has so much beautiful green space. Last week, I went to Victoria Park in the heart of Auckland. I took a walk, listened to music, and cleared my head. I left feeling inspired and recharged. Another place I enjoyed was the Botanic Gardens, which I briefly mentioned earlier. It’s absolutely stunning. My entire cohort took a weekend trip to Waiheke Island, organized by the University of Auckland. Waiheke is so serene with tons of wonderful views. I get the sense that the prevalence of nature contributes to the country’s seemingly more calm and slow pace.

While we were on the island, stayed at a Marae, which is a communal gathering space in the culture of New Zealand’s indigenous Maori population. We were hosted by the best tangata whenua (“people of the land" in Māori). They were very friendly and eager to share about their culture and activism. Bianca told us about how they protested the development of a marina on Putiki Bay because of the threat it would pose to wildlife. She showed videos of their inspiring resilience despite pushback from the developers. We learned and performed a waiata (Māori song). It was such a rewarding experience overall because we got to know each other and the values of Māori culture better.

I have really cherished my first two weeks and am excited for the next six!