Studying abroad in New Zealand was another one of the greatest experiences of my life.

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For four months, I had the opportunity to call one of the most beautiful countries in the world home. It challenged me, pushed me outside my comfort zone, and completely changed the way I see both travel and everyday life.

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Moving to the other side of the world came with a lot of adjustments. New Zealand is almost as far away from Pennsylvania as you can get, and the time difference was something I had never experienced before. Being nearly a full day ahead made staying connected with friends and family back home surprisingly difficult. I remember the time difference being 16+ hours. Scheduling phone calls took planning, and sometimes it felt strange knowing that life was continuing back home while I was living in a completely different time zone.

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I arrived at the beginning of July, right in the middle of New Zealand's winter. Coming from the middle of an American summer, it was definitely an adjustment. My new home was Christchurch, where I attended the University of Canterbury. During those first few weeks, I have to admit, I felt a little homesick. The skies were often gray, it was cold, and Christchurch wasn't surrounded by dramatic mountains in the way I had imagined New Zealand to be.

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I remember feeling a little disappointed at first. I had pictured arriving in New Zealand and immediately being surrounded by the famous landscapes I had seen online, but instead I was in a city during the middle of winter.

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Thankfully, my experience completely changed.

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I was lucky enough to have amazing roommates who quickly became some of my closest friends. We spent weekends exploring, going on hikes, and getting out of the city whenever we could. Those adventures showed me the New Zealand I had been dreaming about.

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The hiking in New Zealand is unlike anything I have ever done.

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Every trail felt like stepping into another world. Towering mountains, turquoise lakes, waterfalls, rolling hills, and endless valleys made it feel like I was walking through a movie. Sometimes we would simply drive for hours, and I never got tired of looking out the window. The landscapes were constantly changing, and every road seemed to lead to another incredible view.

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One of my favorite things about hiking and exploring New Zealand was how peaceful and accessible nature felt. There are no large predators like bears, and there are no snakes to worry about, which made being outdoors feel incredibly safe and relaxing. I never felt scared hiking or exploring new places. I could simply focus on the scenery and enjoy being surrounded by nature.

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The country also has sheep absolutely everywhere.

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Driving through the countryside, it was impossible not to see huge fields filled with sheep. It became one of those little things that constantly reminded me, I am actually in New Zealand. The scenery was so different from anything I had grown up around.

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One of the most magical things about New Zealand was the night sky. I have seen the prettiest stars of my entire life there. Once you get away from the cities and into more remote areas, the lack of light pollution makes the sky completely transform. Looking up and seeing thousands of stars shining above mountains, fields, or quiet hiking trails felt unreal. Those moments made me appreciate how beautiful the world is when you slow down enough to actually look around.

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The beach culture was another thing I loved. Even though the weather could be freezing, people were still outside surfing, swimming, and enjoying the ocean. New Zealanders truly embrace the outdoors no matter the temperature. It didn't matter if it was cold, windy, or rainy—people were still finding ways to get outside and do what they love.

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The classes at the University of Canterbury were definitely challenging. They were some of the hardest courses I've taken, and I quickly realized the academic expectations were high. It pushed me to become a better student and adapt to a completely different education system.

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I also loved learning about the people. New Zealanders proudly call themselves Kiwis, named after their national bird. Every Kiwi I met was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and down-to-earth. One thing I noticed was how equal and community-focused society felt. There seemed to be less emphasis on status and more focus on treating people with respect. Men and women seemed to be more equal there and I loved that. Also, I swear everyone was super fit. I guess it's because they are always outside or doing adventure sports, but it was amazing. 

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Overall, I always felt comfortable and safe while living there. Whether I was walking around Christchurch, taking buses, exploring new places, or hiking, I never had that constant feeling of needing to be on alert. It was refreshing to experience a place where I could simply enjoy my surroundings and feel at ease.

 

Of course, one of the best parts of studying abroad was getting to explore the country.

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When my parents came to visit me, it was so special getting to share my home for four months with them. Together, we explored Auckland, drove around parts of the North Island, and then traveled south to Queenstown.

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Queenstown completely lived up to the hype.

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We visited Milford Sound, and it is still one of the most breathtaking places I have ever seen. Cruising through towering cliffs, waterfalls, and mist-covered mountains while seeing seals resting on the rocks felt unreal. It was one of those moments where I had to stop and remind myself that I was actually there.

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We also spent time hiking around Queenstown. One trail I really wanted to do took us between two beautiful lakes. Unfortunately, it rained almost the entire hike, and the views weren't as clear as we hoped. But since we only had a few days there, we decided to do it anyway.

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Honestly, I wouldn't change it.

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Some of the best travel memories happen when things don't go perfectly.

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During that same trip, my dad accidentally dropped his phone into a running stream while we were hiking. Watching him immediately get down on the ground and reach his hand into the freezing water trying to find it is something I will never forget. It was stressful in the moment, but now it is one of those funny family memories we will always laugh about.

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Another favorite trip was to Kaikōura.

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There, I got to kayak along the coastline and see penguins in the wild. We spent time driving through mountains, exploring the coast, and experiencing landscapes that felt completely untouched. I also completed an overnight hike where we stayed in tents surrounded by nature. Waking up in the middle of nowhere with mountains all around me was an experience I will never forget.

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I also discovered one of New Zealand's greatest treasures: their pies.

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I ate so many during my four months there. Pies are everywhere—from bakeries to cafés to gas stations—and they became one of my favorite parts of everyday life in New Zealand.

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I relied on buses quite a bit while living there, especially around Christchurch. Public transportation worked well within the city, but traveling around the country was much harder without a car. New Zealand is truly a road-trip country, and to fully experience the North and South Islands, renting a car is the best option. Since I didn't always have people to travel with, there were places I wasn't able to explore.

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That's one of the biggest reasons I know I'll be back someday.

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I would love to return during the summer, when the days are longer and the weather is warmer, and road-trip my way around the South Island. There are still so many hikes, beaches, mountains, and hidden places waiting for me.

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New Zealand taught me that sometimes places don't reveal themselves immediately.

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My first few weeks were difficult. I questioned whether I had made the right decision. But once I started getting outside, meeting people, and experiencing the country beyond the classroom, everything changed.

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Looking back, I understand why New Zealand is considered one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

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It isn't just because of the mountains, lakes, beaches, stars, and endless hiking trails.

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It's because life there feels connected to nature.

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People spend their weekends outside. They hike, surf, camp, kayak, and explore. They value experiences over rushing through life, and they understand the importance of slowing down.

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The people who see the sun first reminded me that some of life's best moments happen when you step away from the familiar and allow yourself to experience something completely new.