Alex Munoz, the Illinois Abroad marketing intern, writes:

Upon being accepted into last summer’s New Zealand Adventure Recreation and Tourism program, I did not know what to expect. I originally applied for the program because several students who had gone on it the previous year had nothing but good things to say about it. I had always wanted to study abroad, so I figured this was my chance. My classmates on the program include twenty-four University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign students and twelve University of Florida ones.

I was already very good friends with one of the girls also studying on the program, which gave me more comfort about going to a different country. I originally expected to be attached at the hip with her, however I was very wrong. The experience of building new friendships was an everlasting experience. Not only did I become very close with those of us from the University of Illinois, but I also formed strong friendships with individuals from the University of Florida. Considering we were a very lively bunch, there was never a boring moment. Still to this day we talk on a regular basis.

Before going on the program, I was quite uneducated about New Zealand. In fact, the only facts I knew about the country came from the pre-departure quiz that had to be complete upon arrival. These were simple, fun facts about population, geography and culture that everyone traveling to the country should learn. I envisioned this study abroad to be more of a sightseeing program than a classroom, learning experience.

However, my views and education on the country quickly changed within the first couple of days in New Zealand. I had already learned more than I had imagined and seen the most beautiful sights I have ever seen in my life. My prediction of the program being more sightseeing than educational was very wrong.

During this study abroad program, the outdoors and our surroundings was the classroom. It was truly unbelievable to combine both activities and learning together. Many study abroad programs do not get the privilege of actually seeing and doing things that they are learning about. A few categories that we learned about and then encountered were ecotourism companies, the Maori people, native flora and fauna, adventure tourism and impacts on the environment.

If there is one piece of advice that I could give to anyone who is considering going abroad is to simply go. Education can only take your further in life and open up your mind.

And best of all, applications for the New Zealand Adventure Recreation and Tourism 2014 program are still being accepted. To apply, visit www.illinoisabroad.org or click here.