Hola! A single word, to greet someone, to acknowledge the presence of another human being. The same, but not quite the same. Complex and experienced in our own unique way, so diverse, somewhat extra-terrestrial, but finding common ground through things that are relative to our existence together in this world. It has been an…Continue Reading Another World, Another Beginning, Another Understanding.
Perhaps the most pressing concern I had on my mind before I left for South Korea was the need to make friends while on the trip. Prior to leaving New Zealand, I was already incredibly close with many of the other UoA students on the trip as we were in the same 2022 Korean classes…Continue Reading Making friends
E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā karangataga o te motu. Koia rā ahau tetahi wahine Maori, nō Aoteroa e mihi kau atu kia koutou, nō te whenua o Mexico. Here I am, a Maori Girl from Aotearoa, New Zealand, living her dreams and experiencing another country in a way only a few can…Continue Reading Our first few days in Mexico
Classes started on the 13th of December. After our zoom placement tests, we found out on the school portal which level we would take. The level structure for Korean classes at KU’s Korean language centre is different to the University of Auckland’s. Having completed only Korean 110 and 111 at UoA, I was confident I…Continue Reading First week of classes
We started the day travelling through the gorgeous Roma to Santa Fe, the business hub of Mexico City. Orientation day began. We met with Florian and Andrea, our guides, and had a tour around the Iberoamericana campus. Ibero is not only architecturally stunning but also has a vibrant student body that makes anyone feel welcome….Continue Reading Orientation at Iberoamericana
Walk in this 미로 다 아는 건 아니어도 바라던 대로 말해줘 say it back /Walk in this maze Not that I know everything but Just as I want it Say it say it back/ -NewJeans, <Ditto> Firstly, happy new year! I can’t say I was 100% looking forward to it, but like most things in…Continue Reading Middle-Ditto
We have reached a strange point in the trip. We have officially passed the midpoint of our journey, which now counts as the longest continuous time I have spent outside Aotearoa. It is a strange time to pass through because we have adapted to life in Taiwan, and, at the same time, we have not….Continue Reading Tourist trapped
The last few days have been surreal. I can’t believe I have only been here for four days, but I’m not sure if that’s because it feels like I only left yesterday or if it feels like a lifetime ago. We have managed to pack so much in since we arrived, and I’ve been able…Continue Reading Goood Morning, Vietnaaaam!
สวัสดีปีใหม่. Happy New Year! I’ve decided to start my first blog post by describing the amazing night in Siam, Bangkok, as midnight hit and the new year began. The night began around 7pm with a quick train ride to Siam Station via the BTS Skytrain, absolutely crammed with locals and tourists alike. Many were excited…Continue Reading New Year’s Eve in Siam, Bangkok
Taipei’s New Year’s fireworks are world-renowned, so it was impossible to pass up the opportunity to see them. That was the primary driver of the most intense all-nighter I have pulled. Despite the difficulties, it was an enriching experience. Our night started in the day with a 1:30 pm train from Tainan to Taipei. Given…Continue Reading New year, new city