Emma Stamp

Why did you choose to study at Massey?

I chose this program because New Zealand has always been a dream travel destination for me. The convenience of taking credits that fulfill requirements I would already take at ISU was a big draw for me. Fun fact: Massey University is the only Veterinary school in New Zealand, and although I am not interested in a veterinary degree, that means that there is a wide number of unique animal science courses available. They even have a zoology degree!

Had you traveled internationally before studying abroad?

I have never studied abroad before, but I have traveled to Mexico and a number of European countries. New Zealand is the first country I've been to on the south side of the Equator.

Do you think your experience has benefitted you personally, professionally, or academically, and why?

This experience has benefited me in all aspects. For one thing, I didn't know I liked working with sheep until taking Animal Reproduction and Lactation at Massey University. There are a ton of sheep in New Zealand! I have made so many close connections with Kiwis and other study-abroad students from around the world. It will certainly make it hard to leave at the end of my semester in June. Because of this, I have a great interest in coming back to New Zealand to work at a sheep station in the future.

What classes are you taking abroad and how do they differ from courses at ISU?

I'm taking four courses at Massey University: Domestic Animal Reproduction and Lactation, Science and Sustainability in Agriculture, Fiction Writing, and Digital Media Production. Three of those courses fulfill or are similar to credits I had the opportunity to take at ISU, and Digital Media Production is an elective credit I chose to take for fun.

Most memorable experience so far?

I have had plenty of memorable experiences so far. One that comes to mind is visiting a new friend of mine's dairy farm outside of New Plymouth, Taranaki. It is about a 3-hour drive from Palmerston North, where my university is. During that trip, I experienced a Kiwi rodeo and hiked part of Mount Taranaki, the volcano. These activities are two of my favorite things to do back home. Rodeos in New Zealand were adopted from the American tradition, and they actually fly the American flag alongside the New Zealand flag during the opening ceremony. A fun little fact is that hiking in New Zealand is called tramping, and trails are called tracks!

Have there been any challenges with living abroad and how have you resolved them?

One challenge I faced when I first arrived in New Zealand was actually with the flight. My luggage got stuck in the San Francisco airport after some layover issues, so my first week in Palmerston North was without any luggage. I had my backpack with my computer, chargers, and travel-size toiletries, and that's it. Really quickly I had to rely on my dorm hall mates to loan me some clothes and a trip to town for other essentials. Thankfully, New Zealanders are incredibly friendly and willing to help, so it was no problem at all. I found some of my closest friends after that experience. Luckily, my luggage did finally arrive after a week of endless phone calls with United Airlines and New Zealand Air.

Did scholarships impact your decision to study abroad? Any recommendations for other students?

I was planning on studying abroad regardless of scholarships, but having them definitely reduced some stress. I was lucky enough to be awarded the CALS Dean's Study Abroad Leadership Scholarship, the Peter Paulsen, Jr. Endowed Scholarship in Agriculture, and the LAS Dean's Study Abroad Award for my second major. My advice for other students interested in studying abroad is to apply for as many scholarships as you can. It's way more fun to spend money in the country you are visiting and experience new things than stress about payments for the semester. School should not be the only reason you want to study abroad, so having a little extra money for experiences is definitely worth it.

Were you concerned about a language barrier are if so, what are your thoughts now that you are living abroad?

New Zealand is an English-speaking country, so I wasn't too concerned about a language barrier coming in. They do have a lot of slang that takes a little bit to get used to, but it's all casual conversation and they're willing to clue you in. Flip-flops and Crocs are called jandals. Pickup trucks are called utes. McDonald's nickname is Mackers. I've noticed a lot of people outside of the university have actually never met an American before. They have lots of questions and think we have funny accents, but they're really polite and laid back about it. The native population in New Zealand is the Māori people. They have their own language, and a lot of things in New Zealand are Māori words. Their culture is important to a lot of people in the country even if they aren't Māori themselves. I've taken a lot of time asking questions and trying to learn about Māori and Kiwi history, which is very important to appreciating New Zealand.

Best activities/things to do in your location?

Palmerston North, where I'm at, is not the most exciting town around, so I'd lovingly say the best thing to do in town is to get out of town. The beach is a 30-minute drive away, and there's plenty of hiking to do in the hills around Palmy or in the National Parks nearby.