Maddy J.
Q&A
"I feel like I am my true self here, but that I was able to find my truer self there. Bringing that back with me has helped find and prioritize balance, try new things, put myself out there."
I always knew I wanted to study abroad. I love traveling, exploring new places, and immersing myself into different cultures. I think experiential learning is one of the best ways to learn, and I knew I wanted to immerse myself into a new culture and environment. I wanted to go somewhere with beautiful nature and easy access to the outdoors, and after researching the area and the university, I immediately felt connected to the University of Otago, NZ.
On a typical day I would wake up, make breakfast and head off to class. Most days I had class in the morning so I would try to meet up with my friends for some lunch+library time and then do something active in the afternoon – a walk, hike, climbing. I think Wednesday's were my favorite weekday day though, I'd wake up, put on my swimsuit and drive with some tramping club friends to take a sunrise dip in the (freezing) ocean, we’d go home just in time to shower, change and go back out for some outdoor climbing before I had lab in the afternoon. My weekend also began at 10am on Thursday so I would often try to finish all my work that day so I could go backpacking the weekend!
I took a Marine Science; Religion, Law & Politics; and a Global Citizenship/Education class. I'd say they are pretty comparable to the structure of classes at Berkeley with lecture, lab, and discussions. There is definitely a lot more emphasis on assessments, over internal assignments, with exams being worth a significant portion of the grade. This made the semester feel lighter/less rigorous, but the exam period harder/more stressful.
I feel like I am my true self here, but that I was able to find my truer self there. Bringing that back with me has helped find and prioritize balance, try new things, put myself out there.
One of the first, and best things I did was join the University’s Tramping Club. I made such good friends and we spent our weekends exploring and backpacking through new places. All my favorite memories happened while we were disconnected, in the middle of nowhere, with the most insane views.
I underestimated how hard the initial transition was going to be. I’ve never really gotten homesick, but in my first week or so I did. I felt frustrated that I wasn’t immediately having the “best time of my life” experience. Even though I had made friends and was doing cool things, I didn’t truly feel like I had found my people. I started journaling, which was super helpful in the moment and now serves as a little memento. Things got easier once classes began, a routine was established, and clubs started up. Putting myself out there in both class and social settings really transformed my experience—I found some of my best friends and created so many 'once-in-a-lifetime' experiences.
Do it! Be excited, and prepared, to fully immerse yourself. This is the best time to try new things, be outgoing, meet everyone, and adventure!