Sophia Hall
CAS ’27
English and Creative Writing
SA: University of Otago
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Ask Me About…
Taking classes in New Zealand has shown me how academic culture can shift across countries, especially in how in-class discussion, final examinations, and relationships with professors work. Students could ask me about adapting to the University of Otago’s academic expectations and learning in an environment where other histories and perspectives are integrated into coursework.
Additionally, studying in New Zealand required careful planning around budgeting, travel, and resources. Other students could ask me about making study abroad financially manageable, accessing university support systems, and balancing independence with responsibility while overseas.
My Experience Abroad
Studying in Dunedin, a UNESCO City of Literature, directly complemented my English and Creative Writing major by placing me in a living literary landscape. Being surrounded by academics, poetry readings, and a strong local writing culture expanded my understanding of how literature exists beyond the classroom. This experience allowed me to engage with poetry not only as text but as a practice shaped by place, community, and history. Experiencing a different literary ecosystem helped me think more critically about how national and regional identities influence voice, form, and subject matter.
Other Highlights
- Exploring the nature of New Zealand, from hiking in a lush rainforest in hopes of seeing a glacier to camping overnight with friends by a naturally occurring hot spring.
- Learning more about Māori culture and customs
- Seeing the unusual and rare birds of New Zealand, from the flightless kiwi to the cheeky alpine parrots
- Developing a routine of mindfulness and cultivating attention
- Taking a Geology class and going on field trips to unusual rock formations (and seeing the place where two tectonic plates collide!)
