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Soon Christmas was here. It was an unforgettable Christmas for me. Well, it was hot which made it almost impossible for me to think of lighting candles inside, hoping for snow and eating way too much chocolate. Instead I went surfing. My host sister taught me how to do it and although it is quite challenging I really enjoyed it.
Also different was the fact, that presents are opened on the morning of Christmas day, after Santa had put them under the plastic Christmas tree the night before.
I spent the rest of the day eating: we had traditional English food like Christmas pudding, but as my host mum didn´t have time to prepare a proper Christmas dinner we also had turkey sandwiches. She felt really bad about that afterwards. But still, my Kiwi-Christmas was definitely unforgettable for me!
Not only did I travel a lot during my holidays I also found an awesome way to experience New Zealand´s unique variety of animals as close as anyone can imagine: I volunteered at the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch. I had an incredible time getting the opportunity to do all the work the zoo keepers get to do: Apart from feeding this also meant doing all the cleaning, but you get used to it very quickly as long as you don´t have to do the monkey enclosure.
So I fed the monkeys, lemurs, wallabies, farm animals and a couple of different native New Zealand birds. But my greatest experience was definitely being allowed to touch a kiwi and even see one hatching. Kiwis, cute fluffy wingless birds, are New Zealand’s national animals. Unfortunately they are endangered as a large amount of them gets killed by animals European people brought to New Zealand. Therefore I was very proud having been allowed to take part in Willowbank´s programme which raises kiwi chicks in a safe environment to increase their chances on survival before they are set free again after one year. I had an unforgettable time!
In the end of January school started again and soon I noticed all the privileges I enjoyed as a Year 13 student. We are not only allowed to wear mufti (that means no uniform) to school, we are also allowed to join different school councils to get involved in organisation of various areas around school.
Therefore I joined the International and the Sports Council and I was really proud being acknowledged the Deputy Head of the International Council. Working in the councils always keeps me really busy having to organise different sports and international events but I enjoy the work and it is great fun to get involved with so many different people.
The next months went by way too fast. We finished dragon boating and water polo competing in the south island´s tournament and I couldn´t wait for the rugby season to start again. For sure, this sport is one of the many different things I will miss about New Zealand.
Another highlight was definitely the Year 13 Ball we had in the beginning of May. It was awesome. Everyone dressed up in beautiful dresses and we had a wonderful night.
Soon after, I had my one and only Kiwi Birthday. Finally 17! I really cannot explain how everyone got the same idea: buying chocolate for me. Well, I am not complaining.
My best present, however, was tickets for the All Blacks playing Italy in the middle of June and an All Blacks Jersey I can wear to show my support for the New Zealand team. I am so excited to see the match in a couple of days!
Unfortunately, my stay down here is almost over now. So I try to make most of the time that is still left.
All in all, I can really recommend an overseas stay to everyone. I had an awesome time and looking back I realize I made so many new experiences, met lots of different people, had heaps of fun, but also changed a lot, becoming more independent and self-confident. And my English improved as well…
I can´t believe how fast one year has gone by and I will be quite sad to leave this amazing country in less than two months. I will really miss my great host family, my awesome friends and probably also the easy-going lifestyle. But I will definitely come back because I just love New Zealand!