As soon as we landed in Auckland, New Zealand I was beyond excited to begin this adventure. From my first experience until we departed for Sydney, Australia, I enjoyed every moment soaking in the culture, observing the differences, and making memories. I didn’t know much about Auckland before arriving and therefore didn’t have much of an expectation because I didn’t know what to expect. I was absolutely delighted by Auckland and all it had to offer. There were so many activities to do and the views all around the city were absolutely breathtaking. The locals (or Kiwis if you will) were all very friendly and happy to provide recommendations for food and activities and provide any help we needed.
The biggest difference I observed was the pace of life. Even though we were staying in the city during New Years, lots of restaurants had revised business hours and many shops were closed for the duration of our stay. Instead of getting caught up in the rush of the holidays and trying to make more money, the Kiwis know how to rest and enjoy a break. I also observed that the Māori history and culture was integrated into the city and lifestyle of those in the city. We also ventured out of Auckland to visit the Māori treaty grounds and the Hobbiton which meant that we spent many hours on the bus driving to these locations. During these long drives, we were able to see even more of the beautiful landscape and scenery of New Zealand. We also had lots of time to get to know each other which I really enjoyed. Since there are almost 40 students on this trip, I thought that it would be difficult to get to know everyone, but thankfully that hasn’t been the case at all.
The business education aspect of this trip has been very informational as well. The first group of speakers who came explained a lot about the economy in New Zealand and its relationship with the US, Australia, and other countries. We also had the opportunity to visit a retirement home and learn a little bit about the retirement process and culture and how it differs from the United States. Coming into this experience I was expecting to gain a different perspective and so far I have learned so many life lessons from the business aspect of this program, talking to the locals, and observing the different style of life. We haven’t even been abroad for a week, and I have experienced and learned so much that has definitely influenced my perspective of business, relationships and how to make the most of the life I have to live.
