Why did you pick this program?
I picked this program, to be honest, because I'm a total Lord of the Rings geek and I know they did a ton of filming there and that was part of the trip package. That definitely wasn't the only reason though, the ISV New Zealand trip has great reviews from hundred students worldwide not only on this website but others too.
It was advertised as one of the more action packed and adrenaline adventure tour activities, which I had never done but had a great interest of trying. All around, I thought this one would be most fun and I definitely had the a life changing time of my life there.
What do you tell your friends who are thinking about going abroad?
Just do it. Really just the experience of traveling abroad is worth whatever price you pay. The culture, the atmosphere, the people. Being fully immersed in a different culture is a really eye opening experience and you learn tons of cool things (like New Zealand people call themselves Kiwis!) and learn more about yourself in the process.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
Pack layers! If you go in the summertime in the United States it is winter over there, and it's a very different climate that can get very cold at night. Also a lot of homes in New Zealand are not insulated, and during the winter it can get very cold and the layers help a lot.
What's your favorite story to tell about your time abroad?
My conservation project was in a yellow-eyed penguin habitat, and for one of the chores we had to do was bring them from the beach into the pesudo-penguin hospital so we could clean them and clip their feathers. I was in the group in the back, and there was a gate we had to go through to get in.
I walk through the gate and realize the penguin wasn't with me anymore. It was walking with me for a long time and I must have looked away and missed him leave my side! My task for the rest of the day was to find Henry the penguin at any means necessary. I search for 3 hours through the bush and viewing habitat to find him taking a nap behind a rock near the beach. Clever little penguin...
What is one thing that you did, looking back, was one of the best things you did during your trip?
Keeping a journal. Our ISV group leaders made us do it and a lot of us thought is was silly at first. But as long as you kept doing it every night you really started to get into it and enjoy it. Looking back that's the best memento I brought back and I enjoy going back through those memories because they were some of the best of my life. Who else is going to know about your experiences if you don't record them or don't remember them?