We sliced through the New Zealand sky as we fell over the picturesque Abel Tasman National Park. My entire body was numb. I was amazed and shocked I had just jumped from 13,000 ft. into the most beautiful country ever. Ted tapped me on the shoulder, and I opened my arms. Suddenly, I was a bird soaring through the sky. As soon as the parachute snapped out behind us, I was no longer in a screaming free-fall, but floating peacefully with the beautiful New Zealand terrain spread out below me. Unfortunately, my breathtaking sky dive over Abel Tasman had to come to an end as well as my New Zealand and Australia study-abroad trip. No other journey could ever quite replace the amazing experiences and "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunities the Pacific Challenge and Winona State have given me.

College" is without doubt a roller coaster ride in many ways for students. During my sophomore year, I realized I needed to experience something new and exciting. I was in the process of making a schedule for the spring semester when I was informed of this incredible three-month-long study-abroad trip called Pacific Challenge. Without a single question in mind, I signed up and sent in an application. Within a few days, Pacific Challenge Director Dave Wright, notified me and sent me all the exciting information. I knew this was the best opportunity to broaden my horizons, experience new cultures, meet people from all over the world, and (because it was a budget trip), travel sensibly. I have never been so right in my life.

The months of planning flew by and there I was at the Los Angeles International Airport with my two bags, boarding Air New Zealand. The 12-hour flight into Auckland was a blur since it was prime time for the 20 participants to meet and learn about each other. We arrived in the South Pacific with nervous stomachs and excited hearts. For many of us, it was our first experience overseas. From this day on we were busy experiencing every exciting adventure New Zealand.

 

Life "down under" began with a three-hour drive south to Waitomo, N.Z. I could not wait to immerse myself in the Maori culture indigenous to New Zealand. It was late evening when we arrived at our "marae" (a Maori meetinghouse); therefore, we could not see a thing. So, as exhausted as we were, we all went to bed. In the morning, a Maori farmer named Paki Green greeted us with "kia-ora!" meaning "hello and welcome" in his native tongue. The stunning scenery of New Zealand welcomed us as well. Thousands of rolling green hills, fresh crystal blue skies, and sweet smells surrounded us as we found ourselves in a whole new world.

Pacific Challenge has given me wonderful friends and countless experiences. It has also given me the opportunity to continue my education by earning college credits while abroad. Because of this I was able to further my college career while fulfilling my dreams of traveling. Winona State University offers six unique classes for Pacific Challenge participants. I chose to take five classes for 15 credits. Instead of being expected to learn from textbooks and lectures, we learned through experiential education using the successful hands-on technique. Of my five classes, Leisure in Different Cultures was a favorite. In this class, we immersed ourselves in the culture of New Zealand and Australia. One of the assignments was to interview a Maori native. I had the honor of meeting Nekerangi, a gentle and respected Maori man. My interview with him gave me a first-hand chance to learn of his culture, and it greatly influenced my outlook on life.

Not only was I gaining a better understanding and knowledge of other cultures, I was having a blast with "down under" adventures. Our first activity was the exhilarating black-water rafting in the Waitomo Caves; from there, the adventure and excitement was never-ending. We escaped everyday life in various ways, from rappelling into caves, horseback riding in the rolling green hills and crawling through underground caves, to rock climbing above the busy cities, hiking and mountain climbing. We did not stop there. We went swimming with wild Dusky Dolphins, rafted a 25 ft. waterfall, bungy jumped, explored rainforests, and frolicked on the many white sandy beaches. We went surfing, skydiving, mountain biking, sea kayaking, heli-mountaineering, and white-water rafting. We mingled with locals, swam in crystal clear water, camped at remote islands, took part in exclusive Maori and Aboriginal concerts, and did much more.

Experiencing each of these different activities together as a team strengthened us and made us compatible. We had to trust each other, work as a team and build honorable relationships. I learned to trust my teammates and rely on them to help me accomplish each challenge. Because of this, I have gained 20 new friends, the only ones who can share this amazing adventure with me. I will always treasure and keep them close.

Winona State's mission statement is "A Community of Learners Dedicated to Improving Our World." I didn't completely understand this statement until I took a chance with Pacific Challenge, interviewed Nekerangi, and realized how important experiential education is to the bettering of our lives and the lives of those around us. Study-abroad experiences are beneficial for many students. I would suggest them to anyone who has an itching for new adventures and exciting travel. I recommend this study-abroad option for anyone who is stuck and does not know where to go next. One great feature of Pacific Challenge is that it does not cost much more than a semester!

Through this program, I was able to travel to two very different countries across the world, participate in numerous activities I would never do otherwise, indulge in the life of two unique cultures, and meet new people and friends. I experienced a once-in-a-lifetime-trip that has opened my eyes to new horizons and has made me see worlds beyond my own.

I am fortunate to have been able to participate in such an exciting life changing experience. Because of Pacific Challenge and Winona State University, I have reached many of my goals and accomplished more than I have ever expected. I can't wait to do it again!

Last Modified: Monday, December 06, 2004 13:58 by