It has been fun but I would do it differently if I could

I have had amazing experiences in New Zealand, especially during the two week break from school. I went bungy jumping, horse trekking, wine tasting, tramping, and fishing. The country is strikingly beautiful; it surpasses all of my expectations in that regard. The initial adjustment was difficult, since my two roommates did not arrive until two weeks after me. This made me feel isolated and awkward. But, now that they are here, I am so grateful to have them. They are New Zealanders and constantly expose me to things that I otherwise would not have experiences, especially in regards to food. If I could do everything differently, I would have applied through a program. I applied directly to the university (not even through my home university) and basically was left to my own devices. The people who came to the university with a program entered school with a secure friend group. Initially I felt out of place and uncomfortable. That feeling has dissipated now, leaving me content with my experiences here. But, if given the opportunity to do it all over again, I would have paid the extra money for the program.