New Zealand Archives - IFSA

Want to Make the Most of Study Abroad and Find Home Away from Home? Just Say Yes.

ichilds — Tue, 05 May 2026 19:34:24 +0000

“Let’s try a salsa class downtown tonight!” “Want to join us for a road trip to hike Tongariro Crossing?” “It’s a game night. Want to join?” When you settle into your new home-away-from-home, it can be tempting to want to stick to your routine. This provides comfort and safety—and that can be helpful. It’s easy to head back from class and sink into the couch to finish up homework. Yet throughout my [...]

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Exploring the New Zealand Outdoors Through a Māori Lens

ichilds — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:38:38 +0000

In New Zealand, indigenous Māori culture is well-integrated into everyday life. That’s part of what drew me to study abroad here. I wanted to experience a non-Western way of learning, explore a diverse array of landscapes, and live in a country where indigenous knowledge and culture are included and respected. Learning about my new home through language Here, Te reo Māori, Māori language, is part of everyday conversation and accompanies English words [...]

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How Māori Language Showed Me the Best of New Zealand

acarter — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 16:17:04 +0000

Aotearoa means land of the long white cloud in Te Reo Māori, the language spoken by the indigenous Māori (mau-ree) in New Zealand for the last 700 years. It’s called this because when the first Māori explorers, Kupe and Kuramārōtini, found these islands, they saw a giant cloud over it, signaling a new land. This [...]

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Study Abroad in New Zealand: Exploring Middle Earth

Kate — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 20:18:21 +0000

Cheers to a semester of beautiful people and places. I am keen to go back to the place I called home for nearly five months. I feel fortunate to have been able to study and play in the majestic landscape of Aotearoa (New Zealand). One of the most important things I took away from studying [...]

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Q&A: Life at the University of Otago

Kate — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 16:00:05 +0000

Interested in University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand? Spring 2023 alum Gracie Mathis has you covered! Watch her info-packed Q&A to learn about student life, where to see tiny penguins, can’t miss hikes, the best jazz night, how to meet locals, and more! https://youtu.be/LiGs0gWgt-Q Gracie M. | University of Puget Sound | IFSA University of [...]

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My Time in Aotearoa and the Legend of Māui

Kate — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 03:30:41 +0000

If there’s anything I learned in New Zealand, it was the importance of telling and listening to people’s stories. In Aotearoa (another name for New Zealand, meaning “land of the long white cloud”), indigenous Māori have legends that have been passed down faithfully from generation to generation. To honor my short time on their land, [...]

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Exercising Trust While Abroad

Kate — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 20:05:06 +0000

Moving away from your family, friends, home country, and familiarity for a semester abroad is an inherently nerve-wracking experience. When I left my life in the United States and embarked on a semester abroad at the University of Otago in New Zealand, I experienced a wide range of emotions. I was simultaneously incredibly excited for [...]

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A STEM Student Finds Perspective and Support in New Zealand

Kate — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 05:21:22 +0000

Studying in New Zealand at University of Otago has helped me focus on my major—exercise sports science—and realize my studies are part of the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) umbrella. Since I have been here, I have had time to focus on the science portion of my degree and discover all the amazing support [...]

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Abroad in New Zealand as a Gay Student

Jon Erickson — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 05:20:10 +0000

When I left the United States to study abroad in New Zealand, many questions ran through my head: Will I make friends? Will I get along with my flatmates? Will the courses be difficult? But I was most anxious about my sexuality. Will I be able to express myself freely? Will I feel safe walking alone? [...]

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Pack for a Semester in One Bag. Here’s How.

Kate — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 17:11:35 +0000

You’re studying abroad! For me, my study abroad experience was my first time leaving the country. I had many questions on my mind: how to best travel on a budget, how to deal with homesickness, how to apply for scholarships or insurance abroad, how to get around in a foreign country, and so many more. If you are like me, you may have a similar abundance [...]

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