My time in New Zealand was so amazing. I was able to make new friends, explore incredible places, and learn so much about the culture and unique biodiversity that New Zealand has.
New Zealand is such an amazing place to visit for anyone that loves nature. In just a few hours drive you would see mountains, beaches, forests, and volcanic activity. One of my favorite clubs that I joined was the university’s alpine club. I loved it because I was able to make so many friends and explore places that I never would have found on my own. Most of my time in New Zealand was spent on the North Island. This island is known for its stunning beaches, surf spots, and gorgeous rolling hills and some mountains. One of my favorite places that I visited on the North Island is called Tongariro Crossing also known as Mt. Doom if you are a lord of the rings fan. I wasn’t able to do the full hike because there was a wildfire that was spreading in the area but it was still such an awesome area. There is also the South Island which is known for its dramatic mountain landscapes and cool sound areas such as Milford Sound. New Zealand also has very little light pollution so you can see thousands of stars on a clear night.
One thing that is super special about New Zealand is their appreciation of the indigenous culture of the Maori people. The Maori word for New Zealand is Aotearoa which translates to land of the long white cloud. Many people in New Zealand use both Maori and English terms in everyday conversations. The people of New Zealand also have a lot of cool slang. They refer to themselves as kiwis and use sweet as to describe things that are cool or awesome. Rugby is the most popular sport in New Zealand. Before each game for the team the all blacks start with a traditional performance called a haka which was originally used to intimidate others before a battle. New Zealand also has a very relaxed and slow culture where people take their time doing things and have more of a focus on doing the things they enjoy. On a nice day you often see lots of people out walking, on beaches, or just hanging out with family and friends. Something that also surprised me is stores close quite early. The temperature is also quite moderate in the winter; it rarely gets below 40 on the North Island and is rarely above 70. Most shops and some restaurants are usually closed by 4:30 pm. Another difference is that people drive on the left side of the road. I got a few driving lessons from friends and realized that driving on the left side of the road isn’t quite as intimidating as it seems.
Another cool experience that I got was being able to meet people from all over the world. I made friends with people from the Cook Islands, Austria, Hong Kong, South Africa, as well as many others. I also loved being able to travel out of the country. I was able to go to Tahiti and Moorea. Tahiti has some of the most gorgeous beaches I have ever seen in my life. I made lots of references to Kim Kardashian losing her diamond earring in the ocean. I was also able to go diving with humpback whales which is one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.
I am so grateful for all of the cool places and people I got to meet during my time studying abroad. This will truly be an experience I will never forget.
Ada Ritchie (BS Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education) spent the Fall 2025 semester studying abroad in Auckland, New Zealand with USAC. Ada had the following to say about studying abroad, “My time studying abroad was life changing. I’ve met so many life long friends. I loved getting to learn about the Maori culture and the unique biodiversity that New Zealand has.“
Share this post:
Leave a Reply