Ben Earwicker from Idaho spent a year studying and working in New Zealand along with his wife Michelle

 

Nestled among the hills on New Zealand's Southern coast, Dunedin proudly bears the title "university town." Students, known locally as Scarfies, occasionally make waves in The Otago Daily Times and other regional newspapers for obnoxious parties and late-night get-togethers that inevitably result in piles of garbage, empty Speight's beer bottles, and broken sofas, all left spilling into the streets for someone else to clean up. Student madness notwithstanding, Dunedin has become a truly cosmopolitan city, due in part to the variety of kiwi and international students from all walks of life converging from February to November on the charming South Island town.

 

The appeal of university life, close proximity to a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities and an insatiable pursuit of adventure led me and my wife to our own study abroad experience in Dunedin that keeps us awake at night thinking about Central Otago vineyards and hiking the magnificent Milford Track.

 

New Zealand offers an inspiring mix of culture, rugged wilderness and scenic beauty. While studying on New Zealand's South Island, I worked towards a master's degree and taught Spanish to undergraduate students. Needless to say, I eagerly anticipated each and every weekend opportunity to travel through the countryside in our imported 1989 Fiat Uno, for which we paid less than NZ$400. Our sporty red Fiat took us up and down the Southern Coast, from Christchurch to Invercargill, and from Queenstown and Wanaka through the Southern Alps. We drove along sheep paddocks and rolling hills to quaint rural towns still proud of their mining past. We visited Oamaru, with its gleaming white stone buildings and exquisite French café in the heart of town. We stopped along Arthur's Pass and hiked along high alpine ridges piled high with massive boulders and other geological formations. We stayed several times in Hokitika and Franz Josef, alternating views of the grey, Westland coastal shores with those of the receding glaciers further inland.

 

In addition to our forays into the rural outposts and rocky mountain peaks of Fiordland National Park and the Southern Alps, we enjoyed the vibrant cultural menu readily available in Christchurch, Dunedin and, surprisingly, many of the smaller towns that exist quietly alongside their larger metropolitan neighbors. Rich Maori tradition permeates the historical backdrop of the islands. Out-of-the-way towns like Ranfurly, part of the Otago Goldfields Heritage Trail, boast a once-thriving Art Deco scene. International film festivals, chic cafés, world-class museums and gothic architecture are but a few of the characteristic features of New Zealand's cultural landscape.

 

For those considering study abroad in New Zealand, there are several things to keep in mind while planning what kiwis like to refer to as the big O.E., or Overseas Experience:

 

Number one: Look for an experienced student travel organization to facilitate your application to a university program. Working with a non-profit organization designed for student travelers will help you prepare effectively for your trip and avoid the headaches of having to figure everything out on your own. From visa applications to packing lists, student travel organizations have developed streamlined processes designed to minimize frustrations that arise when planning for international study.

 

Number two: Find inexpensive transportation, but be aware of the six-month warrant of fitness and the no-mercy ticketing system. If you are planning to travel often throughout the South Island, a car is a wise investment, as public transportation is not always readily available outside of major cities. If you purchase a car, be sure to register your vehicle and obtain the six-month warrant of fitness. The warrant of fitness is a regular check-up for the car that requires the owner to make repairs as indicated by the evaluating mechanic.

 

Also keep in mind that NZ Police show no mercy when it comes to speed and ticketing. If you are pulled over for driving 5 km. over the limit, you will receive a ticket, so be prepared.

 

Number three: Eat Marlow Pies and spend time on a sheep farm. These are two of the most worthwhile experiences you could hope to find in the South Island, guaranteed. Some farmers will exchange room and board for a day's work in the paddocks.

 

Number four: Budget time and money for at least one of the country's many back-country treks. The Department of Conservation offers online booking, and some of the more popular walks, such as the Milford Track, fill up quickly, so make plans early in the season. Of all our experiences in New Zealand, the 53.5 km. walk from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound is, by far, my favorite.

 

Number five: My last piece of advice for study in New Zealand? Take care of any business or lingering commitments you have at home, because once you spend six months to a year in New Zealand, you will never want to leave.

 

Ben Earwicker received a Master's of International Studies from the University of Otago, New Zealand in 2004, and is currently completing doctoral studies while he teaches Spanish and Latin American Studies at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho, USA

 

Photograph by Ben Earwicker