Hi everyone! My name is Grace Truong and I am a third-year student at GW pursuing a Bachelor of Science in IA and Environmental Studies. I am currently studying abroad for the fall semester in Auckland, New Zealand at the University of Auckland. I am taking courses in the environment and Pacific studies.
So far, my experience has been very positive and eye-opening. My whole family took a trip to drop me off at the university and we explored the city with various tours and tried many different restaurants. Once classes started, I began reaching out to new people I’ve met to do some more exploring of the campus culture and the city in general. The new friends I have made are super nice and the atmosphere of the campus almost reminds me of GW at times. The University of Auckland is a city campus as well and students have access to the city center and waterfront areas where there are many places to eat, shop, and walk around.
Auckland is also very similar to many cities in the U.S., as everything is in English, and at first glance, there aren’t many cross-cultural differences. However, after spending some time in the city and taking classes in Pacific studies, I have found that the Pacific and Māori cultures are very prominent in the culture of New Zealand. This is obviously very different from D.C. and the U.S. in general, where indigenous cultures, practices, and even people are not at the forefront of very many cultural experiences. New Zealanders are appreciative of the indigenous communities whose land they occupy and there are continuing efforts to incorporate indigeneity and diversity into political, educational, and other systems. As an International Affairs student, I love getting to see these perspectives and observe the ways that Pākehā, or European New Zealanders, interact with the Māori and Pacific peoples – something I would not be able to see at home.
Down here in the southern hemisphere, it is currently winter but the weather is relatively mild with occasional bouts of rain. I have been able to see some of the countryside via the Hobbiton tour (shoutout to The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings fans, sorry I am not one of them) and other outdoor activities, such as beach walks and ferrying to nearby islands. I am participating in a study abroad program the university hosts where we get to travel to an island and help plant a lot of trees to help the local ecosystems – that is a very common volunteer activity in this region which is super awesome! I’m looking forward to traveling more around the islands and experiencing the native wildlife, as well as maybe even taking a trip to Australia.
Some final reflections: it might feel very intimidating to come to a completely unfamiliar and new university halfway across the world, maybe something even reminiscent of freshman year, but once you are able to step out of your comfort zone and find activities that force you to meet new people through clubs or study abroad groups, you will have tons of fun and forget about the awkwardness and stress. Given that Auckland is comparable to a U.S. city, it was not too difficult for me to break out of my shell and find people with similar interests. There are still many ways to engage with native cultures and diverse groups of people, of course, and I love that Auckland has so much of that to offer. Stay tuned for more of my updates and travels to come. Until next time!
Grace Truong
Fall 2024
GW Exchange - University of Auckland
Elliott School of International Affairs
International Affairs & Environmental Studies Double Major