For three days from the 26 – 28 March, we as the international students received the opportunity to explore New Zealand’s unique culture.
“How unfortunate if you don’t even get to know the country you’re living in!” I remember Miss Gillies telling us.
Therefore, thanks to all the teachers from the International Department, especially Ms Greengrass, who organized the trip which allowed us to go and explore different places in New Zealand besides Auckland.
It is simply fascinating how people from different countries could all just stand on the land where a significant New Zealand historical event took place. With a friendly guide, we visited Waitangi and walked in the footsteps of the people who changed this country’s history. On the same day, we caught the ferry to Russel, Bay of Islands, and luckily got another tour guide to show us some still-intact architectural works and historical buildings from 1843.
On the next day, we rose early and travelled all the way north to Cape Reinga. From there, we drove along the sand on Ninety Mile Beach. We also got to do sand surfing, a favourite among the students. For most of us coming from countries where the natural landscape is covered up with tarmac and tall buildings, it was refreshing and almost otherworldly to have such an experience. We were even able to experience that same “100% pure New Zealand” feeling, like the local little kids in New Zealand, of being able to walk on the ground freely without the need for footwear.
On the last day, we took hold of our final few moments in Northland. The international students boarded a ferry and visited all the top Bay of Islands attractions. We spotted the famous Hole in the Rock, had a simple and relaxing picnic on Urupukapuka Island, and luckily we had the opportunity to see seals.
During this trip, we built up stronger connections as we were all learning and experiencing a new culture on top of our different backgrounds. People from all sorts of different places in the world were speaking in the same language. New Zealand as the temporary stop in our lives had brought us all together.
‘And the whole earth was of one language, and of the one speech.’
Genesis 11:1
Eileen Chen
