The Summer I Turned Kiwi: My First Two Months in Aotearoa New Zealand

I can hardly believe it’s already been over two months since I first arrived in New Zealand. Stepping off the plane in Auckland, I traded a blazing midsummer heatwave back home for a chilly midwinter thunderstorm—a dramatic welcome to the Southern Hemisphere. Fortunately, the skies did clear eventually, and since then I’ve been lucky enough to see so much of this country’s beauty.

Once I settled into my dorm and classes in Hamilton, I set my sights on exploring as much of New Zealand as possible. Weekend day trips have been the perfect way to pack in adventures without breaking the bank. Travel here is surprisingly budget-friendly: hostels are affordable (though reviews are a must before booking), and some rental car companies even rent to younger drivers at reasonable rates. Driving on the left side of the road was intimidating at first, but once you adjust, it’s much easier than it looks—almost normal. Almost.

The highlight of my time so far has been a two-week road trip around the South Island during mid-semester break in August. Two other study-abroad students and I rented a campervan and circled the island, waking up to misty mountains one morning and standing on a windswept beach the next, deserted except for the baby seals playing in the surf. In between, we hiked non-stop, wandered through small towns, and drove roads that looked like something out of a movie—fitting, since films like The Lord of the Rings and Narnia were shot here. Even if you’re not a movie buff, the sheer natural beauty is jaw-dropping. Every hike offered stunning views…and a reminder that I should probably hit the gym more often.

The flight to the South island may have been early, but the mountains at dawn were stunning!

One of the first trips I took was to Hobbiton, an iconic filming set for The Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit. It felt like stepping straight into the Shire!

Now that I’m back in Hamilton with just over a month left in the semester, I’m focusing on finishing classes strong, spending time with the amazing friends I’ve made (both fellow study-abroad students and Kiwi students), and appreciating every day I get here. September means spring in the Southern Hemisphere, so the days are getting warmer and longer, and there’s even more to do. I may be missing my usual pumpkin spice latte this time of year, but I’m making up for it with plenty of L&P—a beloved New Zealand soda that’s quickly become my go-to. Looking back, it’s wild how quickly time has flown, but I’m proud of how much I’ve seen and experienced already.

More than anything, I feel incredibly grateful for this chance to study, travel, and grow here in Aotearoa. As spring blooms, I’m reminding myself to slow down, soak it all in, and savor every last moment. Until next time—go Gamecocks!

In Fjordland National Park, we got up before the sun to hike up over 1,000 feet in elevation. It was freezing, but so worth it!

 Milford Sound is one of the major tourist attractions in the South Island. When it rains, dozens of temporary waterfalls appear, but I think it's beautiful any day!