In many ways, New Zealand’s culture is similar to the US. People speak English and are very familiar with American pop-culture. However, there are many small differences that add up and need adjusting to, such as understanding some accents and driving on the other side of the road.
The biggest difference for me was the education system. The school is much larger than my home university and has a very different way of teaching. “Papers” or classes were taught by “lecturers” and then a biweekly “tutorial” was taught by “tutors.” My papers had a large amount of reading that was not part of in-class discussion. It is uncommon for students to ask questions or participate in discussion in lecture.
Additionally, there are very few assignments and final exams are usually worth over 50% of your grade. Your education is largely self-led.
I found this system hard to adapt to. I usually enjoy class discussions but I felt uncomfortable raising my hand even for questions. I nearly missed an exam because I had trouble understanding the software they used.
Similarly, I felt a little isolated from the other students in class. They were all very nice, but as I am from the Southern US, I am used to a lot of over-friendliness and forwardness. My perspective is that Kiwis are always willing to help, but they definitely value self-sufficiency and asking for what you need. I was also told about a phenomenon called “tall poppy syndrome” where students do not want to be the “tall poppy” that stands out, as everyone is expected to be equal. This sometimes leads to not wanting to stand out in class or downplaying their grades and how hard they are working.
I also found it tempting to skip my lectures as I knew there was no one keeping me accountable for them but myself. It was also hard to study for finals when they are such a huge part of the grade and cover so much material.
I think a Kiwi student would be similarly confused by the American education system. Professors in the US have a lot of involvement comparatively and American terminology might be similarly confusing to them. I think they would be surprised by the individualism, ambition, and competitive spirit present in the US. I believe they would be surprised by the people that might be unwilling to help, and they might find others overbearing.
I am so glad I pushed through these adjustments because this semester is one of the most eye-opening and transformative of my life. I also gained a lot of confidence in my abilities to adapt to new situations. By confronting my frustrations about the differences, I came to understand that the way I was used to doing things was not the only way or even the right way. By spending an extended amount of time in a different country, you start to understand how your home shapes you and informs your perspective, and you start to see beyond it.
