Study Abroad Programs in Christchurch, New Zealand

I went to UC for Forestry, as the school is well known for the program, and I am so glad I did. The classes were very interesting, and I felt completely welcomed as an international student, as many professors accommodated for lack of prior knowledge of the area by taking time with me to help me understand the land I was now living in. As for the program, I was able to meet some great people who have already moved into the status of life-long friends. I was able to go all around the South Island and see some of the most beautiful sights in the world, and some were already included in the program. Whether it was boating on the Milford Sound or sea-kayaking with dolphins and penguins, my experience was nothing less than extraordinary. Our advisor was super helpful and provided us with great support and recommendations as we went through the semester. I had the time of my life, and I would recommend it to anyone!

I had a great time in New Zealand!! Studying abroad in Christchurch was amazing and there are so many things to do within a short walk or bus ride. Absolutely amazing time hiking and taking advantage of the beautiful nature! Studying there was satisfying and I was able to learn so much!

I had an amazing time during my semester abroad in Christchurch which wouldn't have been possible without the awesome IFSA staff. Before leaving they handled all correspondence with the University of Canterbury, took care of my housing, and let me know what to pack and what to expect as I arrived. They met me at the airport and during my first few days in the country they gave a wonderful orientation to Kiwi culture. I got a little taste of adventure with outdoor activities, tried some classic Kiwi foods (like Marmite!), and learned about New Zealand's indigenous peoples when we stayed on a Marae. By the end of these few days I felt less like a tourist and was ready to just live in my new home. Throughout the semester the IFSA team held events that took us around parts of Christchurch I might not have seen without them. We also had weekly meeting which was a wonderful way to be reminded that I was not alone in the country and to get recommendations on what to see and do both around Christchurch and the whole South Island. Because of the confidence instilled in me by having friendly faces who helped support me abroad, I was able to really get outside of my comfort zone and try many new things and meet many new individuals! I cannot wait until I return to New Zealand. If it weren't for IFSA I wouldn't have planted such strong roots there!

Spending a semester abroad was more than just taking courses in another country for a couple of months. The experience impacted me in every way imaginable. I experienced the unknown a lot while I was abroad – public transportation, Kiwi slang, Māori language and culture, Tim Tam Slams – and each of these experiences is a memory I carry that developed me into who I am today and who I will be in the future. Study abroad taught me to be more independent, flexible and fun-loving. The five months I spent navigating the ins and outs of a new country increased my self-confidence and helped me mature as an individual. The curriculum I engaged with while abroad opened my eyes to new ways of thinking about subjects I thought I already knew, and a spark has been ignited in me to follow my passion and do what makes me happy. While my experiences abroad may have shifted some of my plans for my future profession, there are certain qualities I acquired that will be useful no matter what field I end up in. I have a greater respect of people who aren’t the same as me. I’ve always been a tolerant person, but study abroad has helped me to better understand habits and notions of my own culture that were so ingrained in me I didn’t realized they existed. Not only have I earned a greater sense of respect for people, but I also feel more comfortable adapting to new situations and environments. My semester abroad threw many things my way I couldn’t plan for. I had to learn very quickly how to juggle them in order to succeed. As part of my program, we went to Rarotonga, the Cook Islands. The entire trip was unforgettable. IES gave us such an incredible and unique experience that I never would have been able to plan myself. On one of my favorite days, we got to visit a school that had preschoolers through about year eight students. After our introduction and a performance from the children, we got the chance to interact with them on a more personal level. They showed us how to play the drums, husk and grate coconuts, weave plates and make coconut leaf jewelry and I even got the chance to play netball and tips with them on their lunch break. As we were leaving that day, most of the children lined up to give us parting high fives. A little girl that I played netball with grabbed my hand and interlaced our fingers instead of giving me a high five. She had one of the biggest smiles on her face I think I’ve ever seen and at that point I realized I would have been so grateful to just spend every day on our trip playing with those kids. Their lives are so fundamentally different than my childhood was, but their happiness was infectious. I have never been on a holiday where I’ve interacted with the local culture as much as we did that week. Yes, we spent our fair share of time on the beach, but I also left with a greater understanding of what life is like for Cook Islanders. I hope I can do that on all my future trips. A semester abroad is about engaging with the culture of your host country. My program and my semester abroad helped me to do just that. I got the opportunity to embark on road trips with newly made friends, fly to the North Island and set out on an adventure in a very cramped campervan, work on one of my greatest passions (photography) and just see and experience the awesome New Zealand landscape. It seems like around every turn in the road there’s something new and overwhelming you get to take in. I spent a lot of my time abroad just feeling small in such a grand landscape. It was refreshing. I had my life turned upside down in the Southern Hemisphere and realized that it was exactly what I needed for a lot of pieces in my life to slot together. I don’t think I’ll go a single day in my life where the impact of my semester abroad doesn’t somehow play a role in how I interact with this world. Study abroad is important. It opens new pathways and changes perspectives. Study abroad enabled me to learn about marine biology, evolution, Māori culture, and land ethics. It enabled me to learn about what it means to engage with your surroundings. It enabled me to learn about how I think about the world and what I can do to be a better global citizen. My experiences during my semester abroad are unparalleled to any method of learning I have previously been a part of. Not every moment was perfect, but I experienced so much sheer joy in the five months I spent abroad, I know I’m going to look back on those memories in the future and just soak in that happiness again. I am so immeasurably grateful for the opportunity to study abroad and I can’t wait to continue traveling in the future.

I had packed my 2 suitcases and headed to the other side of the world, not really knowing what to expect. From the hustle of city life in New York to the laidback one-large-village vibe in New Zealand, my world was flipped upside down. Study abroad was the time to experience many firsts- camping, climbing mountains, diving, whale-watching, white-water rafting, glowworm cave hunting, traveling independently, driving on the left side of the road, operating on island time, and many many more. Throughout the ups and downs of study abroad in Christchurch, IES faculty had been a solid foundation through which all of my concerns were answered thoroughly. I cannot recommend it enough. Study abroad. Do it.

Growing up in the middle of farmland leaves you wanting a different setting for yourself. This is why I chose New Zealand for my study abroad experience. New Zealand is known for its beautiful mountains and extensive nature. I craved a new view. New Zealand brought me this and so much more. I was fortunate enough to partake in study through IES Abroad whose advisor was of Maori culture. Throughout the semester I became immersed in the Maori way of life; learning about their values and history. I learnt more about myself the first two days on Waiheke Island than I had in a lifetime. However cheesy it may sound, I made lifelong friends and pushed myself in ways I could only do there. I welcomed the feeling of learning a new campus with new classes and people. The University of Auckland offered all the courses I needed and challenged me just as much as I am at my home university. Being time zones away from my family was new to me, but I have never felt such a true happiness that I felt being in New Zealand.

My time abroad in New Zealand was life-changing! I had a blast meeting many new friends from all over the US and across the world. The friends that I made abroad were from New Zealand, Australia, the US, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, Sweden, and so many other places around the world! We often cooked meals together, traveled together, and studied together. My time abroad was a bond never experienced before. IFSA was an amazing program to study abroad with. A lot of my other friends didn't have the opportunities that I had to engage with Maori and Kiwi culture while abroad. I was able to face some of my greatest fears with IFSA, like heights through a ropes course at Adrenalin Forest after volunteering to replant native NZ bush, water with white water rafting and plenty of kayaking adventures, and heights again through hikes and bush walks around New Zealand. I also got a chance to give back to the community through a unique course that I took abroad, Strengthening the Community (aka Christchurch 101). If you ever have the opportunity to take that course, I highly recommend it! I was able to be involved with the Christchurch community directly through volunteering at the local community garden and one of the primary schools nearby campus. Also, the class was taught by an alumnus of my home university, which was a crazy fact! Overall, my time abroad in New Zealand can never be topped by another other trips because of the wonderful community in IFSA and the generous hospitality of the Kiwis. I hope to move to Christchurch to further help with earthquake designing after receiving my degree. Also, I've been on the search for Pad Thai in America that is as good as the Pad Thai in New Zealand and I have been unsuccessful. So if you're a Thai food enthusiast, I definitely recommend going to New Zealand!

Growing up in Northern Minnesota, I became accustomed to the dark and frigid winters. In the land of Ice hockey (sorry Canada), I instead picked up cross country skis and took to the trails hidden underneath the towering pines and oaks. This quiet winter wonderland of Scandinavian Americans is my home. So, when the option of studying abroad came to the table, naturally, I was interested in the Scandinavian destinations: Sweden, Norway, Denmark. Additionally, I had to study at a location where I would attend a university—one in which biology courses were offered. A list of viable programs was generated, and at the top of the list was a program in Sweden. Conveniently, it met all of my requirements; I could have stopped the search right there, but something drew me to scroll down the whole list. There were plenty of decent options, but nothing caught my attention or piqued my curiosity until I got to the very bottom of the list. It was a program in Christchurch, New Zealand of all places: Christchurch Direct Enrollment – University of Canterbury. As I sat there pondering the land of hobbitses (i.e. “Middle-earth”) this curiosity transformed into a deep desire to explore this isolated land. I dropped all commitments to study in Scandinavia and refocused my attention to this program. Now, after successfully taking part in this program, I can confidently say that was one of the best decisions I’ve made—here’s why. First, this program centers around direct enrollment at the University of Canterbury (UC). This is great for a couple reasons; for one, it is easier for students to take classes that will count towards one’s major(s)—in my case, I needed to take a microbiology course and I had no problem “finding” one that was offered at UC. On that note, classes at UC are on par with the difficulty of academics I experienced in the United States—of course, someone might find the classes easier or harder than what one has experienced in the US, but on average I would say most students will feel adequately prepared. That being said, the academic format is slightly different than what one might be used to in the US. Primarily, in most classes, there are few assessments of your learning (i.e. “homework”) throughout the semester; in most classes your final grade will heavily depend on your grade on a Final paper or exam. That being said, the grading scale is different than what I was used to in the US. For example, the grade range of an “A-” corresponds to 80–84.9%. The second reason direct enrollment at UC is great is that it allows you to connect with other students that are not in your program—kiwi students, international students, fellow biology nerds. These connections can happen in class, and they can also happen through the myriad clubs and organizations offered at UC. For example, those who are keen on trekking through the beautiful landscapes New Zealand has to offer should join the Canterbury University Tramping Club (CUTC), as outdoor gear can be rented by members, and the club takes frequent trips together. In short, studying at a UC keeps students “on track” for their respective major(s), and it allows for optimal social opportunities. Another reason this program is a good choice is that the IES program has great staff at all levels. Before I even left for New Zealand there was work to be done—paperwork, preregistering for classes, etc.—the IES staff who were responsible for answering my last-minute questions and concerns before I left for NZ were always timely and helpful (thank you Maria!) I felt confident that there were a group of people who wanted me to successfully study abroad. When I got to New Zealand, I was not surprised that the staff were equally as helpful and genuine. The program director, Candice—who was just starting as the new director—was very kind and easy to talk to. I never had the need to discuss anything serious with her, but if the need had come up, I would have felt completely comfortable discussing it with her. Moreover, she was a great person to chat with, and you could tell she actually cared and was interested in each student’s story. Upon talking with her and sharing my pre-dental plans, she was even able to set up a meet and greet with a local dentist! There was also a “right-hand man” of sorts, Fraser, who occasionally helped Candice. Fraser was a fun, witty, guy, who was quite adept at quick quips and sarcasm; but more than that he was also very helpful—and he took wonderful photos/videos of the group. I am not entirely sure he is a permanent staff member, but if he is around if you end up in this program, make sure to get to know him too. In terms of the housing options offered, there were not a lot of options. In the semester I went, all of the students in my program were housed in the Ilam Apartments—a large block of apartments, or “flats”, that house most of the international students at UC. This was nice because it was easier to meet other international students, but conversely, not many kiwi students lived in these apartments—so the only avenues for meeting kiwi people were through your classes or the clubs/organizations. I think it would be interesting to live in a homestay housing situation, to really integrate into kiwi lifestyle via a willing family. That being said, I was happy with my flatting situation, as my flat mates and I got along nicely, and we often went into town together. However, even though I had a good flat, I know some other students in my program didn’t have the same situation. So, it can be a bit of gamble as to whether your flat situation is pleasant or not. Despite this uncertainty, even if your flat situation is not what you hoped for, this is hardly a dead end—as mentioned earlier, there are other venues for meeting people, and extreme flat annoyances can often be resolved with the help of IES or the University of Canterbury. I should also mention that these flats are arraigned with five single bedrooms, two bathrooms each with a shower, and one shared living room and kitchen. For a student such as myself, who was used to sharing a small room with several roommates, I found the accommodations relatively spacious. Last—and arguably most Important—is what New Zealand had to offer. When I was considering New Zealand, I honestly didn’t really know too much about the country—I knew Lord of the Rings was filmed and produced there, I knew they were crazy about rugby, and I thought I heard there were a lot of sheep there. Well, I wasn’t wrong, but this initial assessment barely scraped the surface of what New Zealand is. First of all, New Zealand is chock-full of amazing scenery. From snow-capped mountains, to dense forests, to massive fjords, there is something spectacular everywhere you turn. For those who love the outdoors, look no further than New Zealand to satisfy your need for fresh air and natural beauty. Then there are the people of New Zealand—kiwis; they are generally very laidback and kind people. This laidback attitude and lifestyle was somewhat familiar to me, as there is a similar way of life in Minnesota. But more than that, it made it easier to be an international student learning about the country/culture, as the kiwis were never rude or confrontational in our interactions. I can recall one instance in which I was riding the bus into the city center with a couple other IES students; we were at the front of the bus and were chatting about our experience abroad—it was clear we were international students studying abroad—and when the bus stopped at its destination, the bus driver turned around and said, “I think it’s so great that you guys are here studying in New Zealand, good for you guys,” or something along those lines. We were all pleasantly surprised and began chatting with the driver. I think this interaction summarizes the people of New Zealand quite well. I should also note that English is one of the main languages in New Zealand—along with te reo Māori, and New Zealand Sign Language—so if English is your first language you will feel comfortable communicating with people and understanding most written instructions. Overall, this program was a fantastic experience; the country is beautiful, people friendly, and the opportunities for amazing memories—practically endless; this Northern boy is certainly happy he went South.

New Zealand is the most beautiful place I have had the opportunity to travel to. The mountains and coast are within a 3 to 4 hour drive of each other... The landscapes are otherworldly... gosh, honestly New Zealand holds such a special place in my heart. Studying abroad with IES was the best decision I have made thus far in my life. If you are a student looking to study overseas but still speak English, New Zealand is the best option in my opinion. If you love outdoor activities, NZ is the place for you. If you like independence, laid back-ness, and adventure, NZ is it. For blog updates on when I was there go to www.iesabroad.org/bellasantana

Being a college student is hard. There is no doubt about it. Finding the magic balance of academics, socializing, and self-care is even harder. By going abroad with IFSA I was given new responsibilities - I had to cook for myself for the first time (no meal plan anymore!) - and challenges to overcome. If any of these new stumbling blocks tripped me up, IFSA was there to give me a hand. If you are struggling with a course, your advisor on the ground will help you to find the resources that you need to succeed. IFSA also has a great program for bringing together the students that go through them. An excellent orientation and lots of dinners and cultural excursions help you to get a feeling for your host country and grow closer with the other American students. The shear beauty of New Zealand forced me to break away from the mundane tasks of student life and enjoy the amazing country that I was living in. Ilam Gardens, a botanical garden right off of University of Canterbury campus, was one of my favorite places to spend a sunny afternoon with a book. Overall, with the help of IFSA I was able to find more time to go with the flow and smell the flowers, a very welcomed break from the rush of school back in the states.

I'll have to admit I never thought of New Zealand as somewhere one could "Study abroad." To me, Europe was were you went to study abroad and New Zealand was reserved for magical journeys such as your honeymoon or an Eat, Pray Love situation. When I discovered I could study abroad in New Zealand I had no idea what to expect. The whole moving to a new country with nobody I knew was more intimidating than I'd like to admit to my family and peers who consider me an adventurous and responsible character. Nevertheless, I summed up the courage and applied and soon I found myself climbing off a plane onto the streets of Auckland, New Zealand. My housing situation was more than ideal; clean and comfortable and within easy walking distance of the school. I was also next to a large park which was great for running. The IES program I was on met within my first days here and it was here I met the most important factor of my experience; my friends. I'll spare you all the various details of our countless adventures and developments but in summary, together we set out to explore NZ and explore we did. The classes I took were interesting (I had the luxury to have a relatively flexible schedule) and so I took some novel courses. One thing I appreciated was that all of the lectures were recorded and uploaded online so I could review them before an exam. Another thing I noticed was that the coursework here was very writing heavy and some even included hand-written in class exams! Anyways, I could write pages upon pages about my experiences here however as far as a recommendation I could not recommend New Zealand (and IES specifically) more. IES provided me with the stability and comfort I required in order to make the most of my time abroad and I never once felt alone or anxious about my possibilities for I always knew where to turn. If you have ever felt the urge to sit alone on the beach staring at the milky way one weekend and climbing a mountain to look at some snow capped crystal blue pools the next (all the while taking courses and gaining college credit of course) New Zealand is the place for you.

Program: Momma Eunice was such an amazing and sweet program director. She genuinely cared about each and one of her students and took time to meet with us one-on-one to check in on us. Eunice wanted us to have the best time of our lives. She provided tips and advice from everything to finances, local eateries, and courses to take. She was very approachable and accessible. We could call or text her about any questions that we had about anything. The intro week was also very helpful in introducing us to the country of New Zealand and learn about their culture. The field trip in the middle of the semester was a learning experience in the Cook Islands. We partook in cultural activities that I never would have thought of if I had gone there on my own. We visited a school and hung out with the children, we learned how to husk a coconut, and we also learned their cultural dance. University of Canterbury: The University has such a beautiful campus. The classes are small and it is very easy to reach out to the professors. We were integrated in with the Kiwi students. The University has many different student clubs such as the Tramping (hiking) club and I thought that was a really cool club. The way courses are run, gives students a lot of flexibility with their time. However, it was important to keep up with the big course assignments due at the end of the term since they did not really have many small assignments. Campus Housing: We lived with student from all over the world. I had 2 Kiwi roommates, 1 from the States, and 1 from France. We got our own rooms and it was fairly spacious. The housing had a lot of activities they offered in order to meet other residents. Country: Breathtaking. Most of the time, I could not believe what I was seeing. Great place for thrill seekers. It was relatively cheap too to travel around in a group. My friends and I traveled every weekend and we still did not get to everything that we wanted to. I will definitely come back.

I participated in IES Christchurch, direct enrolment into the University of Canterbury(UC) last semester and could not have been more pleased. The program coordinator was the most down to earth woman who made the transition into the Kiwi life super easy. All of my UC classes were 20-ish students because I was taking junior-level courses. The courses were challenging but very manageable compared to what a junior level Biology course at my home university would require. I had the opportunity to get to know my professors and other students in my classes. Not to mention, the south island of New Zealand is a prime location to study abroad for the outdoor adventurer. I'd go back in a heartbeat!

My experience working with staff at the TEAN program was nothing short of awesome. Everyone at this organization is so well-versed in what they do and know such specific things about each program that their ability to help students is top-notch. Studying abroad is a pretty big decision and absolutely stressful when the process first begins. However, TEAN was so helpful and answered every single question I could muster up, and managed to get me excited about this amazing experience I was about to have. I would have to say my favorite thing was having an on-sight TEAN advisor. My advisor was actually born and raised in New Zealand and attending graduate school so she was super helpful when it came to travel advice in the area, any questions I ever had about the way their universities worked there, and even just what hikes she liked or coffee shop she recommended. I haven't stopped thinking about my semester abroad since I've come home, and it's been about a year now since I started the application process. I made life-long friends, which I was honestly super nervous about at first, but it was so easy. Every single student going through TEAN that I met at orientation was so excited to be there and so adventurous and accepting; we were all in the same boat, trying to meet people and have fun, so it was so easy to make friends. My friends that I met at Lincoln University are absolutely, without a doubt, life-long friends now. Living in an international section was probably the best decision I made because I got to meet people from literally all around the world. I was traveling the incredible and beautiful country of New Zealand with American, Norweigian, Dutch, German, Swedish, and Brazilian friends. Who could have even imagines that? It was so surreal, and I wish I could relive every single second of my semester in New Zealand. I always felt like I had a safety net with in-person help from TEAN as well as over the phone and online as well. They were always there in the background which was amazing, and I was still able to explore and travel and be adventurous without being held back. Overall, I would 110% recommend this program to anyone looking to get out there and adventure a little bit; you won't regret choosing this program!!

Travelling to New Zealand, a country on the other side of the world, was more than just a far-away country with new accents and foods. I wasn’t just on the other side of the globe – I was upside down and backwards. From navigating the airport and making my way to my new school, to walking on the other side of the street and greeting “Kia Ora!” to everyone I met, little things added up to create an upside down and backwards world. Even though everyone still spoke English, the language was different – and I don’t just mean the accent. Going to New Zealand with IES, though, gave me a steadfast support structure and people to help me navigate everything new. Our program director was there for any and every question I had, and the other people there with IES were immediate friends. Going abroad with IES gave me an invaluable entry into Kiwi society that I would not have been afforded otherwise. In both New Zealand and during an IES sponsored trip to the Cook Islands, the IES Christchurch program gave me the opportunity to converse with local figureheads about social, economic, political, and environmental issues. Moreover, our program director from IES took us on amazing trips throughout the semester to a wildlife sanctuary, showed us hidden highlights of the city, and brought us to a Marae. (A Marae is a Maori community meeting place, and you have to be invited to a Marae by one of it's members in order to visit. Once there, we got to learn about Maori songs, language, art, traditions, and modern day culture.) All of these trips were just a few ways that I was welcomed into the Christchurch community that I would never have glimpsed if I hadn't gone with IES.

My semester studying abroad at University of Canterbury through IES Abroad was one long road trip, both literally and figuratively speaking. Literally, it was a semester full of spontaneous weekend (and weekday, sometimes) road trips. These trips taught me so much about myself, about others, and about this incredible, diverse country. These trips pushed me mentally and physically, made me overcome fears and build trust in myself and in others, encouraged me to engage in meaningful conversations, and made me appreciate this beautiful, wild world we live in and learn what I can do to help preserve it. Over the 5 months I spent down under, I summited numerous mountains, become a vegetarian, had yarns with people old and young from all over the world, jumped off a mountain, drank way too much goon (bagged wine), swam with dolphins (and sharks), and put thousands of kms on Gus (my beautiful car that I bought my first month in NZ). Figuratively, it was a journey with many ups and downs. It was not always easy being away from home – my younger brother graduated this year and for the first time (ever???) I felt homesick. Further, it was not easy balancing school and travel – especially since classes aren’t mandatory and there is SOO much to do and see in this country! However, there is no doubt there were many more “ups” than “downs”. And when there were downs, IES Abroad and the other study abroad students gave me all the support I needed. 10/10 would recommend studying abroad in NZ with IES Abroad.

It's hard to have any boring experiences when traveling in New Zealand. That being said, IES Abroad made my adventure so much more worthwhile. They truly made every single experience I had full of cultural learning and meaning, and that has made all the difference. I truly felt like I was a part of the culture around me, not like I was paying someone to perform their culture for me, an that was extremely important to me. IES took us to the Cook Islands, which is where I truly felt this way; that I was participating and learning rather than being a vacationing tourist. I believe that the unique connections IES has within these international communities is what made these experiences possible and significant.

New Zealand was a wonderful once in a lifetime opportunity. I traveled around the entire country while I was there. I made friends with other IES abroad students and with locals. I learned a lot about the culture and about the country. I saw amazing things and did crazy activities. I always had a nice comfortable home to go back to at the end of the day. Would recommend for just about anyone!

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect experience. Everyone I met, whether it was through the program or just the country itself, was so amazing and supportive and helpful and influential. I got all the help I needed, but figured a lot out on my own. I made friends and connections with so many incredible people and saw some of the most beautiful places in the world.

I absolutely loved my study abroad experience in Christchurch, New Zealand! Everything from the pre-departure information, to the orientation week on campus, to the planned program activities throughout the semester was handled by IES so well. From the second I arrived in the foreign land, I felt welcomed. I learned much more about myself and about the world than the content taught in my courses could have showed me. During breathtaking hikes, I had long moments of silence and reflection. During transiting experiences (that I was not used to because I have always had a car), I became more comfortable traveling alone and much more independent. In the housing arrangements, I had the opportunity to meet great people from all over the world. Don’t get me wrong, my study abroad experience definitely did carry with it some unique challenges, and I’m sure anyone who has studied abroad would say the same, but the tremendous growth in so many areas that I felt far outweighs any difficulties. Studying abroad gave me an enhanced global perspective. It allowed me to reflect on life in America. It showed me that there is much more to the world than what I had previously believed. It also increased my passion for traveling (although this is a difficult passion to manage while a student). I truly miss New Zealand and cannot wait to go back to the Land of the Long White Cloud someday soon.