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Kia Ora everyone!
That´s Maori. Greetings from New Zealand to all of you!
It´s been almost a year ago since I packed my bags, said goodbye to Germany and got on the plane to make my way towards the other end of the world: I would spend one year in New Zealand, the country of the Kiwis and Maori, for my very personal High School experience.
After a 26 hours flight I finally arrived in Christchurch where I was warmly welcomed by Jo. She would be my mum for one year. Leaving the airport I got my first impression of New Zealand´s weird citizens: it was freezing outside so I was really surprised to meet people in shorts and jandals! My host mum just laughed: “real kiwis”.
And by now I know: Kiwis really have their very own style: shorts are worn all year as well as jandals. In winter they are just combined with a puffer jacket and warm socks. Believe me: it looks awesome!
Soon after, I met the rest of my host family: my host dad Dean, my host sisters Nicole (18) and Laura (19) and my host brother Daniel (16). They all made me feel part of the family at once and by now I really cannot imagine what it will be like to leave them in less than two months.
In my first week down here my host dad introduced me to New Zealand´s national sport: Rugby. When the All Blacks, the national team, scare the opposing team with their Haka, a Maori war dance, before the matches the whole nation watches them enthusiastically. I myself was fascinated by this sport immediately.
At the same time I learned to know the Kiwis´ number one enemies: the “bloody Aussies”… Not only in rugby we just have to beat them and you sometimes hear a Kiwi say: “I support two teams: New Zealand and everyone playing Aussie!”
Then I had my first day at the Avonside Girls´ High School. Well, it was different.
With its almost 1300 students the school looked huge to me, there were only girls and the school uniform.
I got used to it really quickly though, found my way around school, realized that wearing school uniform is not that bad and I made lots of new friends. New Zealand girls are really nice but in the beginning also quite shy. That is the reason why you have to be open and friendly and maybe take the first step towards them. However, it is not very hard to make good friends here.
Another fact I really enjoy about New Zealand high school is the wide range of extracurricular activities that are offered. No matter if you are interested in arts, music or sports. You will definitely find something for you.
For my ultimate kiwi experience I soon joined the rugby team. At first I was a little bit nervous: the team mainly consisted out of Maori girls who were about three times as wide as me. However, I just gave it a go. Although it is quite a tough sport it is so much fun at the same time. I just love it!
Kiwis are not only very active and interested in sports, most of them are also very open and friendly. On the street sometimes random people just start talking to you wondering how you are and how everything is going. My host family does not even have a doorbell. You just come in.
Apart from that, the kiwi way of life is really easy-going and relaxed. Thinking back, Germany seems very hasty and busy compared to that. Believe me, it is not hard to get used to the kiwi lifestyle and view of things.
Finally it got hotter and hotter: summer was coming. I couldn´t wait for it! The rugby season was finished so I joined the water polo and the dragon boating team to keep busy. It was great fun! But I also stayed loyal to my German sport: Handball. I couldn´t believe it when I got selected for the New Zealand team to play on a tournament in Tahiti. It was an unbelievable experience for me!
However, I couldn´t wait for the summer holidays: ten weeks off school! These ten weeks needed to be filled, of course. So I used the time to travel around, relax and I definitely had the most incredible holiday job ever!
During my holidays I saw most of New Zealand´s south island and soon realized: it is one of the most amazing places in the world! The nature is so varied for you can find mysterious rain forest, majestic mountains and ice-cold lakes, beautiful beaches and the turquoise sea so close together. It is just awesome!
I did a bungee jump and Canyoning in Queenstown, got chased by sea lions in Dunedin, did a 60 metre Abseil at Boyle River, saw dolphins and a whale in Kaikoura and saved a penguin from Christchurch beach. I had a great time and so much fun.

Next Page: Maria celebrates Christmas with the Kiwis!