After an amazing month abroad, I took some time to reflect on my once-in-a-lifetime trip to New Zealand. While thinking of all the wonderful memories I made, I took the time to think of the advice I would give to someone who would be in my position in the future. Taking into consideration things I would do differently as well as things I would do exactly the same, below I present my top three pieces of advice to future study abroad students:
- Make sure you do your research on the weather and climate of your study abroad location. While it was summer here in the United States, it was the transition period from fall to winter in New Zealand. I did not realize this was the case until after I started my program. Hence, my suitcase was packed full with shorts, bathing suites, and short-sleeved shirts. Luckily, I brought a few long-sleeve shirts and two sweatshirts that I was able to wear in layers, but I definitely was in need of a warm jacket on days when it was only 45°F. My advice would be to just make sure to learn as much as you can about the country you will be traveling to, it will help you pack more effectively!
- Consider traveling to places near your study abroad location – whether it is before, during, or after your study abroad program. I decided to join a few of my friends on a three day trip to Australia after our New Zealand trip, and that was definitely one of the coolest experiences I had. I got the chance to hold a koala, scuba dive at the Great Barrier Reef, and feed a baby kangaroo! I would definitely recommend seeing as much as you possibly can while being abroad!
- Do not be afraid to do the things you want to do while being abroad, even if it means joining a new group of people. During one of our first days in Auckland, some of my friends planned to go to an art gallery in the city while a few of my other classmates planned to hike at Waiheke Island. While I wanted to stay with my friends, I also really wanted to go hiking. I ended up deciding to go on the hike and not only did I have a great time, but those classmates I met that day became some of my closest friends. Studying abroad is a great opportunity to meet new people and make new friends, so I would recommend taking advantage of that to make the most out of your experience!
