Shannon Mihaere. Rangitane o Tāmaki nui a Rua. Ngāti Porou. Ngai Tai ki Tamaki. Waikato Tainui. I acknowledge the land I am living on as that of the Mapuche people who through their lived realities of colonisation have noticeably felt absent from the hustle and bustle of this wonderful city. I look forward to this…Continue Reading Warm beginnings in Chile
I still can’t believe we are in Santiago, Chile. It’s been just over a week, and I still have to pinch myself every time I wake up in this beautiful city. From the never-ending sound of the city to the vibrant colours and expression of art on the streets, it is simply breathtaking. While I…Continue Reading Explorando y adjustando – Exploring and adjusting!
Flying into Santiago was incredible, nestled between the snowcapped Andes Mountains and Chilean Costal Range. Upon arrival, I felt a sense of excitement and nervousness. Javiera, Kathleen, and Margarita from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile welcomed us at the airport and drove us to the Edificio Metro Salvador II Building, where we will stay during…Continue Reading Hola desde Chile
Días de los muertos , or Day of the Dead in English , is a well- known celebration in Mexico. The official days are the first and second of November , but festivities can begin weeks beforehand. The components of this celebration, such as the skull , is a symbol of Mexico. You are likely…Continue Reading Welcoming The Dead To The World Of The Living
Dancing my way through Colombia On Sunday 27th of August we jetted of on our month-long adventure to Colombia. I didn’t quite know what to expect from this trip, but the 36-hour total commute across the Pacific Ocean left me feeling a bit anxious. As soon as we arrived, this feeling eased. As soon as…Continue Reading Bronte Jones
Being on this PMSLA (Prime Ministers Scholarship for Latin America) tour to go to Colombia and share such a beautiful embodied exchange of knowledge was powerful. I enjoyed learning about Caleno and Colombian culture, and understanding the way they view performing arts in their perspectives. I enjoyed teaching the students from Universidad del Valle as…Continue Reading Iatua Felagai Taito
Living in Cali, Colombia for one month was an unforgettable experience which will leave a lasting impression on me. Aside from my own personal development, Colombia fostered a deeper appreciation for diverse culture, and a renewed commitment to living life with resilience, open-mindedness, and a genuine connection to the world around me. My preconceived notions…Continue Reading Jasmin ‘Ofamo’oni
My time in Colombia was nothing short of incredible. Before leaving, I had apprehensions due to the negative perceptions often associated with the country, such as safety concerns and drug-related issues. However, this trip proved to be a remarkable experience. It was exceptionally well organised, with a local producer/chaperone guiding us and an excellent translator….Continue Reading Joanna Cook
This trip to Colombia was really like a once-in-a-lifetime trip. I was quite nervous about travelling and being there because of all the unknowns and the reputation Colombia has in the world. However, after spending a month there, I developed a great appreciation not only for the culture but for the people we interacted with….Continue Reading Syrai-Tiare Taumihau
Colombia was beyond anything I could have imagined. In the months leading up to the trip, there was some worry about spending a month in Cali, one of the most dangerous cities in the world. My concerns also stemmed from having watched the complete Netflix series, Narcos that painted quite a violent and intimidating image…Continue Reading Teuila Hughes