Marketing Major
Study Abroad: Auckland, New Zealand
Do you have a favorite class that you are taking? Why?
My favorite class that I am taking this semester is a jazz performance class. Taking this class allowed me to meet a lot of other students (mostly New Zealand locals) and bond with them over the shared interest of playing music. I even started a band with some of my classmates and performed a few gigs around Auckland! It was also fascinating and eye-opening to see how the structure of classes was distinct from university in the States, as there were a lot more differences than I was expecting.
What do you like about your program/university?
I’ve really enjoyed the scheduled activities that take place throughout the semester with my study abroad cohort. Some highlights have been a surf lesson in Raglan, New Zealand’s surf town, taking a tour of the Hobbiton movie set, visiting the Kiwi Bird Hatchery, and going to a rugby game. Getting to share these memories with a group of friends I got really close with made it even better! I also love going to university in the heart of Auckland, New Zealand’s biggest city, as being within walking distance of so many things makes it easy to explore and experience what the city has to offer.
What has been your favorite place that you visited so far or favorite part about your city? Why?
I had an absolute blast on my trip to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. Wellington is known for its vibrant arts culture, and I visited during the Wellington Jazz Festival so there was live music going on everywhere! I also did a couple hikes, got to ride the famous Wellington cable car to a wildlife sanctuary, and took a tour of a film production workshop where the prosthetics for Lord of the Rings were created. On the last day, my friends and I rented a car and made the 8-hour drive through the North Island back to Auckland, getting to see the countryside and stopping at some absolutely gorgeous viewpoints.
What advice would you give to the Leavey students planning to study abroad next year?
Talk to locals about fun things to do and places to see! For me, New Zealand has a lot to offer, and some of the best places I’ve gone to have been hidden gems that were recommended to me by friends. The famous tourist spots are cool too, but no matter where you go, there’s so much more than what you can find with just a Google search.