Monday, January 13, 2014

Pilot Episode

I can't believe I am leaving to study in New Zealand in less than one month. As my departure date gets closer, everything is becoming more of a reality. I will use this first post as an introduction to my host country. I'm not entirely sure how the whole blog world works, so bear with me as I begin to document my time abroad.

 

I will be living in Dunedin, New Zealand, which is in the South Island. The University of Otago will be my host-university and I will be studying health sciences in my pursuit of becoming a physical therapist.

My flight across the Pacific Ocean will be accompanied by other students who are also doing the same program as I am from the United States. The first six days will be an orientation to the country in Rotorua. Then I travel to the South Island to stay in my university flat (basically a house next to campus) where I will have 4-5 other roommates. 

 

For those of you who don't really know anything about New Zealand, I will give you the basics of the country. It is composed of a North and South Island with many smaller surrounding islands. Polynesians were the first to inhabit and developed the native Maori culture. In 1840, NZ became a British colony. It is now a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy with Elizabeth II being the Queen of New Zealand and the head of state. John Key has been the Prime Minister of New Zealand since 2008. NZ has a mild climate with the seasons being just opposite of the United States. This means I will leave the winter here for late summer/fall there and come back to the same once I return to the States in late June. The major language spoken is English, which was one of the main reasons I chose NZ. They use New Zealand Dollars as currency, 1 NZD = 0.83 USD. I think that should cover enough of the dry information for now. 

File:Tasman Valley - Aoraki Mount Cook - Canterbury.jpg 
Above you can see Mount Cook (thanks Google). I think this shows a perfect example of how beaches and mountains meet throughout the country.

Its crazy to think of all the little things I need to consider before I leave, things that didn't come to my mind right away (finding a converter for my laptop, obtaining foreign currency, international calling, fitting everything I need into TWO suitcases). I know that I am a type A person, so I'm probably stressing out more than I need to. I will keep you posted on how my packing and preparation is going. I just can't stop thinking that this is ACTUALLY HAPPENING! I have received nothing but positive support from my loved ones and I can't wait to take you on this once-in-a-lifetime journey with me.  

Cheers!
CA