Stuff Marie Does

6/2/10

Guess what guys? I’m in New Zealand!

So far, my group and I have gone to class, visited the Canterbury Museum, walked through the gorgeous (and as unlike Arizona as it is possible for a park to be!) botanical garden. For dinner, we hopped on our ‘coach’ (bus) and went to the Tamaki Heritage Experience for a very illuminating look in Maori (the indigenous peoples of NZ) history through their own eyes. Very cool!

(Also very cool? My bed. Let me tell you why: It wakes me up gradually. Today, for instance, my alarm was set to go off at 7:30. At 7:10, a light above my headboard turned on, but only dimly. It gradually got brighter. Then it started changing colors, slowly. Then the TV turned onto the NZ MTV channel. And then it was 7:30 I ready to go, no snooze needed! It was awesome. I think everyone needs one.)

Now, for the school aspect of study abroad: Yesterday, I had to be in a classroom, in my seat, awake and ready to go, and 8:30. No small accomplishment, considering the fact that I am five hours ahead and the day before you (did that make sense?). However, I must admit that the morning lectures were fabulous. Three individuals from local universities came and presented one hour speeches on a topic they are experts on. We learned about New Zealand’s healthcare system, its ecology and ecological changes since man arrived, and local land use. To be completely honest, they were among the best speakers I have ever encountered, and each hour went by very quickly. It was amazing how much what we learned about in class tied directly into nearly everything we saw at the museum!

In about 45 minutes, I’m heading off to a group discussion. We’ll be talking about and synthesizing everything we’ve learned so far. But after that, it’s a free day! I don’t know what I’m going to do, but a few other students and I were talking about heading down to the coast. Who knows? I’ll tell you about it later.

That’s all for now!

Marie