Why did you decide to study abroad with GlobaLinks at the U. of Otago?
Caitlin: As a student of both nature and culture, New Zealand instantly appealed to me when planning my study abroad experience. With its deep Māori roots, outstanding national parks system, and its use of the English language, New Zealand proved to be a perfect fit.
The University of Otago in particular stood out because of its beautiful location on the coast of the South Island, its college town atmosphere, and its top-notch research focus. I knew that, as a biology major, I wanted a school that would offer opportunities to travel within classes, to view the country’s unique ecosystems with top researchers who know them best. I also wanted to situate myself on the South Island because I knew it would be easier to travel to some of the country’s most beautiful sites, such as Queenstown and Milford Sound.
Globalinks offered an easy exchange with my home university, the College of Charleston, and provided me with personal contact with representatives as questions arose prior to my trip. Their orientation program was truly amazing, offering me the opportunity to explore a cave, participate in a Māori Hāngi, and bond with other students in the program. Not once during the five months I spent in New Zealand, did I regret the decision I made to study abroad there with Globalinks.
What made your study abroad experience unique and special?
Caitlin: Of all the spectacular views I saw in New Zealand, none of them compared to the people I met. Prior to my trip, I knew I would be introduced to a new culture: the kiwi way of life. What I didn’t realize was how many different cultures I would really become familiar with, as I met people from all over the world who also chose New Zealand for their study abroad experience.
There were countless times when a group of us would sit around joking about accents, idioms, and nonsense expressions from other cultures and our own. These were some of my favorite memories, whether we were at home in our “flat” or sitting by a campfire during our spring break trip across both islands. Having the opportunity to travel with new friends who share the curiosity to explore the world was truly special for me personally.
New Zealand’s landscapes proved to be the most unique part of my experience abroad. There are many beautiful parts of the world, but nowhere else while studying abroad will you find so many unique landscape in such a small travel distance. Dunedin itself is a spectacular region, located on a harbor, and many beaches are accessible within a 20-minute car ride. Each beach in the area is unique, whether its Tunnel Beach, Sandfly Bay, or Long Beach, and many of the area beaches shelter threatened penguins and sea lions.
From Dunedin you can travel anywhere on the South Island within a day. In a few hours you can be in Kaikoura, Wanaka, Fiordland, or the Catlins, all areas with completely unique settings. If you love being outdoors and exploring new places and faces, come to New Zealand; you won’t regret it.
How has this experience impacted your future?
Caitlin: Personally, travelling to New Zealand helped me to reach out of my comfort zone, meeting new friends as if I were a freshman again. The experience changed my outlook on traveling and truly instilled the travel bug in me. While abroad I was also able to travel to Australia and work on an organic garlic farm and yoga retreat. This experience changed how I look at the food on my plate and offered much spiritual guidance, strengthening my practice of yoga and meditation. I feel I am a more balanced person and able to relate to more cultures after my trip abroad.
While at the University of Otago, I was able to complete an independent study for my home university on conservation strategies for the region’s endangered Yellow-eyed penguin. The project allowed me to collaborate with researchers at the university and library staff, as I dug up dusty theses from the back of the science library’s shelves. This project in particular allowed me to grow as a writer and researcher as I dove deep into a subject that interests me.
The classes I took at the University of Otago allowed me to travel within an academic setting to area beaches and the Catlins to view this and other species. One of my favorite academic memories while abroad was a three-night trip to the Catlins for an ecology class. The third night we were snowed into our lodge and, unable to return to Dunedin, we spent the evening socializing with both students and professors after a long day in the field. Overall, I would not change in even one detail of my five months abroad and encourage future study abroad students to seriously considered New Zealand for their own experience abroad.