So I’ve been in New Zealand for a little over a week now- and I don’t think ever want to go back. Yes, of course it was overwhelming at first. After growing up in South Florida around so many foreigners and international students, I just assumed assimilating into a new culture in a land that is alien to everything you’ve ever known was simple. Like jumping into a pool. They made it look so easy.
But no, it’s really not that easy. However, it’s the sort of thing that you throw yourself into knowing that it’s going to be difficult, but you do it anyways. Because you’d rather leave everything behind in order to grow and experience, rather than stay stagnant. It’s a classic growing pains scenario. And you will never regret it.
Although it’s only been a fraction of a month out of my five months here, being abroad has opened my world more than I ever thought it could. I never thought I’d ever be able to experience and see landscapes of such vast, ancient mountains that loom over my little insignificant self like the gods on Olympus. I’ve met people who have done incredible things that I never thought I could do- but hey, now I think if they can, why can’t I? It feels like all my preconceived notions and fears don’t have any room in my head with this new onslaught of life and knowledge. And I know staying at home never would’ve been able to do that for me.