Sunny Skies and Full Steam Ahead

Squinting into the stream of sunlight, I reached across the bed in an attempt to open the window. As my finger tips grazed the cold, metal latch the window swung open and I was hit with a breeze of fresh air. Somehow the task of waking up and getting out of bed has been made easier these past weeks and I am attributing this improvement to the amazing weather and atmosphere of New Zealand. Waking up to sunshine is just the beginning.

New Zealand is as incredibly different from the states as it is similar. One of the major differences I have experienced while traveling throughout New Zealand is the laidback, go with the flow atmosphere. I have witnessed this philosophy first hand in numerous situations from receiving directions, to registering for classes. Even teachers exhibit a carefree attitude. Can you imagine a professor at Northeastern coming to class in a t-shirt and board shorts? Without shoes? How about a professor wearing the same blue pocket t-shirt and jeans to five consecutive lectures? The University of Auckland has definitely adopted different priorities than universities in the United States. (It even appeared completely normal that my Media Politics tutor asked the members of the class to introduce themselves today by stating their name, major, and the most interesting thing they have ever smuggled into something.)

Other major difference between “papers” in New Zealand versus classes in the United States rests in the fact that in New Zealand the emphasis lies much more in reading than lectures. Many classes only have lectures once a week (for two hours) or twice a week (for one hour). In addition to these lectures, many classes also have a tutorial once a week. A tutorial is an opportunity to meet in a smaller discussion group with a tutor (teaching assistant) and discuss the previous week’s reading.

Reading is also very different at the University of Auckland. It appears as though many teachers prefer to utilize excerpts from multiple sources. The answer, course readers. Course readers are very similar to the course packs that I am very familiar with, thanks to three years working at the University Bookstore, however they are one third of the price (some are even free). While many classes also supplement course readers with passages from other various texts, a short loan library allows students to check out these texts for a few hours to do the reading thus bypassing the need to buy these books. The result? I spent a total of $31.97 on my books for 4 courses this semester.

As I partake in classes and complete the assigned reading I keep doubting whether or not I am taking New Zealand courses or not. This is because in every class I have gone to, America has been referenced at least twice and in many classes on multiple occasions. My advertising teacher constantly references American brands and advertisements. In Sports Media we watched and analyzed a clip from the 2008 Super Bowl. My professor for Politics and the Media has made references to Reagan, the Federalist Papers, the New York Times, etc. Even New Zealand Politics American political figures and innovations in the field of political science are constantly referenced. I never realized how influential the country I lived in truly was until traveling abroad.

Throughout my time in New Zealand there are a number of other cultural differences I have also noticed, a major disparity being between the RAs at Northeastern and RAs at the University of Auckland. Upon arriving at the University, I was quickly introduced to a number of people, two of which being two of the four RAs at my residence. Although I was not shocked that the university employed RAs, I was a little confused as to what their actual jobs were and if there were rules that I should know about. This is because the main job of the RAs at American universities is to make sure that there is no drinking done on campus, especially by underage students in residence halls. In New Zealand however, the drinking age is 18 and it was evident, after talking with fellow Whittakers that alcohol consumption in the flats was not only allowed, but encouraged by peers. I quickly learned that the role of the RAs was to promote activities for the flats and make sure that other matters of importance were handled. Drinking was not even on their radar, and if it was that was because they were the ones throwing a party. When Shay moved into her flat there was a multitude of empty beer bottles and Solo cups covering the counter, tables, even the TV, all from the party her roommate (and one of our RAs) had thrown the night before.

Although it is very apparent that New Zealand has its own culture and its own way of doing things, it is also greatly influenced by other countries and their cultures. Growing up in America, it was always reinforced that we are a melting pot, made up of various cultures and ethnicities. I never realized that as other countries have impacted our past and present; America has the same impact on other countries. The music played at bars and on the radio is over 90% American, Kiwi’s watch American programming, and American celebrities are renowned in New Zealand just as much as they are in America.

Growing up as a big fish in a notably small pond I thought that I was taking a step and experiencing what it was like to be a small fish in the large sea of Boston. I never realized that Boston was really just a stepping stone to bigger and better things. I have moments of missing my family and friends back home, but one look at my bulletin board full of their pictures reminds me of why I am here and that they are rooting for me.

It is already halfway through March and today marks one month since I have officially been in New Zealand, an amazing feeling until I realize how much I still want to do. The rest of this month is packed tight with events and schoolwork before I head off to Australia in April. After that the semester speeds by.  Looks like I better get off the computer and get back to the city!