Allie reflects on what she learnt and gives advice that might help future students in New Zealand, she writes:

Hey there! I’m Allie Thompson and I went to New Zealand with Baylor University in Summer 2024. It was incredible and even though it has been over a year I am STILL thinking about all the ways it impacted me. However, even though I learned so much, there were definitely ways I could have been more prepared and things I wish I knew. I’ll preface by saying… culture shock is REAL!!!

Here are a few things I would have been glad to know before my time abroad…

Several things are very different in New Zealand from the United States. For one, traffic patterns. Cars drive on the left instead of the right, which means you have to pay extra attention when crossing the roads. Even when you’re walking on the sidewalk bikes pass on the opposite side of what you’d expect them to. Even though I knew this going in to the study abroad, I didn’t realize just how long it would take for me to adjust to it.

Another aspect of the culture I came to understand better the longer I spent in New Zealand was environmental consciousness. While there are definitely people in the United States that care deeply for the environment, it is such a prevalent piece of society in New Zealand. There are more strict laws around biosecurity, outdoor activities are more emphasized, and people just pay more attention (in general) to the environment as compared to the United States.

Although I experienced my fair share of culture shock, there was a lot to the culture of New Zealand that felt familiar to me. The level of formality was generally even more casual than the United States, which I wasn’t really expecting. I’m not sure what I thought it would be like, but realizing this came as a relief to me. Clothing choices are fairly casual, there isn’t a huge sense of intense social hierarchy, and people generally interact in a relaxed, approachable way, even when speaking to authority figures. This made it fairly easy to adjust because I felt comfortable communicating with various people. I felt free to ask questions and even make mistakes because the culture is quite forgiving. There’s less pressure to present yourself a certain way, and more emphasis on being genuine. This openness helped me to build connections and gave me the confidence to engage my daily life over there.

I have two pieces of advice I would give myself if I could go back in time. The first is to choose to go on optional field trips and activities. There is so much to learn about culture through new experiences. Below is a photo of my group going to a rugby game. It was my first time and although I wasn’t really a fan of rugby before, this allowed me to bond with friends in my group, engage in conversation with locals, and continue to learn about the culture. I never thought I could learn so much just from watching a sports game, but I have to say that sometimes there is just so much to learn from seemingly small moments.

The second piece of advice is to do some things that feel like home. When I’m in the United States I love going and getting milk tea with friends or even by myself. When I was in New Zealand I would often find boba shops and go grab a drink. This might seem like a really trivial detail to put in here, but it really gave me some comfort and just made me feel a little more like I was in my “normal.” Something about it calmed me down. So, I would encourage you to find a few moments and find places or foods that remind you of home, or incorporate familiar habits into your new environment. I’m telling you, it feels small, but it can make a big difference.

As you get ready for your study abroad, remember that it is okay to feel some discomfort when coming into contact with new things. You are likely stepping into a culture you have not yet experienced. Be ready to be challenged, adapt, grow, and just decide to make the most of it. It is so rewarding to allow yourself to face culture shock, feel the feelings that come with it, and decide to learn!