Undergraduate Study Abroad

Hi, I'm Ariadna, a senior studying Environmental Sciences and Studies and I spent my spring semester abroad in New Zealand. During my time there I volunteered with the local community, took classes unique to New Zealand and went on lots and lots of hikes. 

My program provided me a unique opportunity to discover New Zealand landscapes during a 3-week intensive field camp. Immersed in the mountains, we learnt about glacial geomorphology (how glaciers shape landscapes), the ecology of a variety of habitats, governmental conservation efforts and how humans are impacting ecosystems. My time there reinforced the idea that I want to pursue field work and conservation as my professional career. Learning by interacting with a place is an experience I will always cherish. Additionally, helping the local community in the maintenance of their waka, a traditional Maori voyaging canoe allowed me to ground in place and establish relationships with locals. This provided me a much broader perspective on how life in New Zealand is like beyond my experience as a short-term resident.

During my time in the country I was surprised at how being outdoors was such a defining cultural trait. When on hikes, I often ran into all sorts of people, from families with children to groups of elders. No matter rain or shine, people would be trail running, doing scavenger-hunts in the mud, mountain biking… It was inspiring to see how connected they felt to their environment!