Academics : International Education Study Abroad

Study Abroad, New Zealand

2005-06 Study abroad program, New Zealand

The following is from a student who wrote from New Zealand this winter:

Things have been unbelievable here in New Zealand. The entire group had an exercise in patience when we drove from the bottom of the North Island to near the top over the course of two days, a trip that took about 15 hours by car. To break up the driving time, we spent the night at the Hukanui Marae in Hamilton in the comfort of their beautiful wharenui, or meeting house, which was much different than those we stayed at on the South Island. The carvings and colors incorporated were much more traditional and the mini-seminar we had that evening courtesy of some of the respected members of the community illustrated some of the differences between North Island and South Island clans.

Here in the Bay of Islands we've been familiarizing ourselves with the area on which the Waitangi Treaty was signed, watching cultural performances (such as traditional dance, song, and canoe rituals), and squeezing in classes on Katharine Mansfield. It's hard to feel tired when there's so much you want to do and take in every day, but we've been sleeping VERY soundly at night. Tomorrow is Waitangi Day, and national holiday on which they commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi which has dictated the country's policies for treatment of the Maori. At the moment we have heard that it is a day of protest and celebration, but we'll find out firsthand tomorrow. Kia ora from New Zealand! Hope all is well in Massachusetts!

-- Ella Thorne-Thomsen '06
February 7, 2006