Preparation

I don’t think there was anything I could have done that could possibly get me ready for what I’ve experienced thus far in New Zealand. My expectations have been surpassed in every amazing way possible. Here I thought, “I’m going to feel lonely” or “I’m going to be lost” all the time, except that is the exact opposite of what truly happened. There are a few lessons that I have learned fairly quickly while adventuring through New Zealand:

·      Money Fees: Since I do not have an international credit card, or a bank that caters to international spending, there have been times when I was charged 6 USD for withdrawing money from the ATM. Budgeting can become difficult at times.

·      Hostels: When it comes to any aspect of a trip, booking earlier is always a better option! My friends and I wanted to book a trip to Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki and found that all the hostels were full and ended up having to choose one of the more expensive options available to us. Book earlier and you will have a better chance at finding the best deals and more options to choose from!

·      Shoes: Hiking through New Zealand has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life, but one thing that has prevented me from having a smooth hike is not having the proper shoes! It is winter and there is snow in most of New Zealand so it is important to have waterproof and durable shoes!! Bring them with you from home, and if you don’t have any, it is a great and worthwhile investment!

·      Weather: The best way to describe the weather here in New Zealand is that it is very unpredictable. There are days where my toes are freezing off and days that I could wear shorts and a t-shirt. When packing, I know it’s difficult, but pack a variety of clothes for different temperatures. With that said, I’ve found layers work the best! It’s important to have a base (preferably short sleeve plus thermal), a mid-layer (preferably fleece), and an outer layer (preferably waterproof).

It can be frustrating trying to prepare for an abroad trip to a place with such a variance in weather and places to visit but if you are careful then all the frustration will be worth it!