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Steve Lagle
Arcadia University (Partner Program) in Wellington at Victoria University, Spring Semester 2006
"My name is Stephen Lagle and I recently returned from my experiences overseas, in Wellington, New Zealand. In Wellington, the nation's capital, I attended Victoria University for my spring semester of my junior year. Although it was the capital, Wellington was indeed a small, compact city, with loads of culture packed in. The university was located in the middle of downtown, overlooking the harbor. I very much enjoyed my time in Wellington by studying psychology (my major), and indigenous studies of Maori (the indigenous people) and NZ History. I stayed in downtown student housing, about 5 minutes away from the Parliament buildings.
"As much as I loved Wellington, traveling was certainly the best way to explore. Not only did I get to experience the unique indigenous culture of New Zealand by staying on a Maori Marae (meeting house), but also appreciate the amazing geological features the country had to offer. You can indeed walk on a glacier and visit the beach in the same day (of which I did!). Words cannot describe the sheer beauty of New Zealand's landscape.
"My trip was with the Arcadia University program, which was all in all a good experience. It allowed me to meet friends right away, while also encountering kiwis and other international students alike. The program had a superb orientation, later setting up both a rugby game and a weekend long hike and kayak through Abel Tasman National Park. The advisors were also very helpful, but the program allowed me my independence from a set format as well.
"I feel that this trip changed my perspective on things, and allowed me to face and overcome challenges that I wouldn't have thought possible. By exposing myself to different cultures, people, and experiences, I have adopted a greater and bolder outlook on life. I plan to go back sometime, to continue exploring and realizing the unique country of New Zealand." E-mail Steve at: swl79b@mizzou.edu.
Jon Emery
Butler University (Partner Program) in Wellington at Massey University, Fall Semester 2005
"I recently returned from a life-changing experience overseas, having spent the entire fall semester at Massey University in Wellington, New Zealand. My focus was on photography, the career I intend to pursue, and my course work also included New Zealand history and cultural classes. I lived in student housing while in Wellington, the nation’s capital. Apart from university work, I visited the city as often as possible. Several favorites included the National Museum, the National Archives, the Wellington harbor, and the Island Bay waterfront.
I was also fortunate enough to travel on university breaks. I saw several parts of the North Island and the west coast of the South Island. I stayed with a farm stay family for five days and experienced life as a sheep farmer. I also had the privilege to stay on a Maori Marae for several days. The Maori are indigenous New Zealanders, and the Marae is their ceremonial meeting place.
I feel that my trip changed my life because it allowed me to experience life outside the box. I widened my horizons and gained an experience that was like no other. I made some great friends from all over New Zealand and the rest of the world. Overall, I had a wonderful time and plan to return in the future." Students can e-mail Jon at jmewbc@mizzou.edu.
Logan Finkelstein
Butler University (Partner Program) in Wellington at Victoria University, Fall Semester 2004
"From the Land Down Under (and slightly to the right):
"Kia Ora (Hello), my name is Logan Finkelstein and I just spent my fall semester of my Junior year at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand. I could describe all the amazing things I saw, the peoples I met and befriended, the Clydesdale I rode, the sheep that tried to attack one of the people riding an ATV behind me in line, or the 100 kilometer per hour bus rides that took me around mountains and through valleys, but I'd rather focus on one of the moments that felt truly New Zealand to me. I was staying with a very nice family for the weekend, a man named Roger and his wife Leigh, for what was referred to as our farm visit. He had already introduced us to his cows, his chickens, and his pet sheep, Bigboy, the only sheep I've ever seen who came when called, much like a very shaggy dog. Anyway, Roger and Leigh took my other two trip mates and I for a walk down the street next to the incredibly scenic hills and valleys that framed the entire backyard of the village. Next to the street was your standard wood posts and wire fence to keep the cattle and sheep in, but at a certain point, an odd thing happened. I looked over to notice not one, not three, but hundreds of pairs of old shoes tied to the wires, and not just normal running shoes either. There were walking shoes, hiking boots, old gumboots, sheep shearing shoes, flip flops, soccer shoes, even a pair of deer feet. As well as I can recollect, someone originally just strapped an old pair of shoes there and then another person followed suit, and so on and so forth, until just blocks of fence posts were coated in old shoes. I think that may have been one of the most interesting things to learn about the New Zealand people, the fact that just one man with an old pair of shoes and a funny idea can start a tradition without even attempting to explain his actions to anyone. That's what New Zealand is to me, a traditional house that just happens to have a bunch of quirky cousins running around."
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