Alyse Horn, Lions Abroad marketing intern, writes:

While studying abroad in New Zealand, I couldn’t help but notice the scenery never looked as beautiful through the lens as it did through my own eyes. Although, some of the photos I took on the program came close.

Two amazing pictures I took were on the landing of my international flight into Auckland. These photos were the first time I laid my eyes on the country that would steal my heart, and I believe the pictures also show the diversity of New Zealand. The first being the lush, green rolling hills, and the second are the snow-capped Southern Alps.

Landing in Auckland

Landing in Auckland

Another beautiful photo I took was during a short hike around Mirror Lake. The water was so still that the reflection of the mountains can be seen in the lake, hence the name.

Before departing, my last stop in New Zealand was in Kaikoura. This coastal town is busting with marine life, old and new. My group hiked up to Ohau Falls where we found hundreds of seal pups splashing around in the safety of the falls.

Seal pups in Ohau Falls

Later, we hiked along the coast where we observed older seals in their habitat. I snapped what seemed like a plain picture of seals basking in the sun. What I captured was the innocence of nature, which was a seal laying on the beach smiling. During that brief moment in time it was happy, and all was right in the world.

Seals on the Kaikoura coastline

For those of you departing on the New Zealand program this summer, have fun taking mesmerizing photos like I did!