New Zealand Must-Know's

A few things to note before New Zealand (and some tidbits for other places as well):

·  They shorten everything.  “Uni” is short for “university.” 

·  Signing up for classes is very different.  Do it as early as you can because you have to stand in lines all over campus getting different people to sign you off for different papers.  It took me two different mornings.  You have to get people to sign off on dropping or adding a paper later too.  Oh, a “paper” is a “course.” 

·  The uni bedding pack is cheaper than almost anything else you’ll find.  The best way to make that ugly comforter your own is to buy/bring a duvet you like from home to stuff it into. 

·  Bring “woolies,” or long johns, under armour, wool, etc.  It gets COLD and you have to pay extra for heating.  Your flat mates will not appreciate you turning the heat on until they have icicles hanging from their nostrils.

·  Remember there is an exchange rate, some things are slightly cheaper but some things work out to be more expensive.

·  Trademe is a common sale website simlar to our Ebay which is perfect for books and lab coats. 

·  If you’re in a science lab you likely need to bring your own lab coat.  They’re expensive though so I talked to my professor and he gave me permission to wear an oversized man’s button up collared shirt.

·  The thrift stores are perfect for anything from oversized men’s button up collared shirts to comfy old wool sweaters and long johns.  They also sometimes have nice going out clothes.

·  The fashion here is far more competitive than back in hippie-ville Colorado. 

·  “Biscuits” are cookies and “chips” are French fries.

·  You have to pay extra for printing.  You load money onto your student ID at loading stations within the library.

·  The library and the gym at Otago are both amazing!  The library is four stories and very comfortable.  I was never a library leech before but now I am.  The gym is brand new, quite nice and the stadium fills up for rugby games.  There’s an OUSA club building where all of the fitness classes happen.  They don’t actually happen at the gym (unless they involve lifting machines) but everything from meditation and yoga to cooking, kickboxing and archery happen in OUSA. 

·  This goes for anyone at any university anywhere!  Join everything and anything you can!  It’s a great place to meet new people and when other people ask what you’ve been doing they are usually blown away.  Besides, a lot of these things aren’t offered at DU, or for the same cheap price. 

·  Also good for any student anywhere!  Student associations, such as the Indian Student Association, are always having fun events.  They welcome anyone and everyone despite race, gender, or orientation and are usually serving delicious free food (and sometimes booze).  If you’re like me and love to meet new people but are also pinching pennies, this is a great way to do both.

·  Rugby games are crazy and I recommend you go experience at least one even if, like me, you don’t like to watch sports.  Now I know what they’re all about and I don’t have to go again.

·  I am almost always the only one that talks in any of my classes.  Mike (my Kiwi host) assures me that I may one day find spit wads in my hair from people who wish I wouldn’t speak.  Professors, on the other hand, love it.  

·  “I could care less” when something doesn’t matter to you is grammatically incorrect and you will be told that it is “I could care care less.”

·  If you’re “keen” on something, it means you’re interested.  It’s not necessarily a “yes.”

·  If you’re “tramping” this weekend, it means you are bush whacking in the outdoors, not on Colfax. 

·  If you want to join the Tramping Club, make sure you ask A LOT of questions.  It is A LOT different than DU’s Alpine Club.  I will explain why in another post.

·  If someone of the opposite sex calls you “fit” it means you are attractive.  It (sometimes) has nothing to do with your fitness level.

·  “Cheers!” is synonymous with “goodbye,” “thank you,” “no worries,” and, quite literally, when you toast glasses.  Using just one word for everything important must just make it easier. 

·  “How ya going?” is their (more annoying hickish) way of saying “How’s it going?”

·  Finally, go for a year!  You only get to do this once and DU makes it so easy.  If you think you can’t do it, you can! and you will regret not having done it after only half a year.  If you’re going to miss your family, entice them to make a vacation out of your location.  Money is just money.  Experiences are what matter.  If you’re going to two dramatically different places like I did, use their travel time to bring you a pre-packed suitcase filled with your new needs.  Going for a year takes some extra planning ahead but it’s not that much more and the reward is so much better.