My trip to New Zealand - a country on theother side of the world

My trip to New Zealand - a country on theother side of the world

My trip to New Zealand - a country on theother side of the world

Kia Ora!My name is Charlotte and I'm 16 years old. In 2011I've spent 4 and a half months in New Zealand. I livedin Dunedin, a pretty cool city with beautiful beachesand lovely small shops and also yellow-eyedpenguins and seals next door. Going to school at StHilda's -I must say that I enjoyed being surroundedby kiwi girls, the most friendliest teachers I've evermet and student wearing the typical Scottishuniform of the school. Me and my host family lived awee bit apart from the city centre, I had a wonderfulbeach view out of my window in Brighton and it wasonly a few steps until touching the cold refreshingwater and the sand with my feet.During my time in New Zealand I got to know a lot ofdifferent people, unbelievable places and the wayordinary kiwis live. :)By thinking back I must say that I'm so glad I had thechance to live there and got to love the country andit's nature as a glamorous jewel.

This is me sitting on a thousand years old rock near theCatlins on the South-Island

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Kia Ora!My name is Charlotte and I'm 16 years old. In 2011I've spent 4 and a half months in New Zealand. I livedin Dunedin, a pretty cool city with beautiful beachesand lovely small shops and also yellow-eyedpenguins and seals next door. Going to school at StHilda's -I must say that I enjoyed being surroundedby kiwi girls, the most friendliest teachers I've evermet and student wearing the typical Scottishuniform of the school. Me and my host family lived awee bit apart from the city centre, I had a wonderfulbeach view out of my window in Brighton and it wasonly a few steps until touching the cold refreshingwater and the sand with my feet.During my time in New Zealand I got to know a lot ofdifferent people, unbelievable places and the wayordinary kiwis live. :)By thinking back I must say that I'm so glad I had thechance to live there and got to love the country andit's nature as a glamorous jewel.

This is me sitting on a thousand years old rock near theCatlins on the South-Island

1

Kia Ora!My name is Charlotte and I'm 16 years old. In 2011I've spent 4 and a half months in New Zealand. I livedin Dunedin, a pretty cool city with beautiful beachesand lovely small shops and also yellow-eyedpenguins and seals next door. Going to school at StHilda's -I must say that I enjoyed being surroundedby kiwi girls, the most friendliest teachers I've evermet and student wearing the typical Scottishuniform of the school. Me and my host family lived awee bit apart from the city centre, I had a wonderfulbeach view out of my window in Brighton and it wasonly a few steps until touching the cold refreshingwater and the sand with my feet.During my time in New Zealand I got to know a lot ofdifferent people, unbelievable places and the wayordinary kiwis live. :)By thinking back I must say that I'm so glad I had thechance to live there and got to love the country andit's nature as a glamorous jewel.

This is me sitting on a thousand years old rock near theCatlins on the South-Island

1

Brighton sign on the road in front of my house view all over Dunedin from the lunchroom at St Hilda's

I arrived at Dunedin airport on April 27th of 2011 after a 24 hours flight from Frankfurtto Singapore and then to Christchurch where I boarded a small airplane to Dunedin.

Getting picked up by my host family and Maggie, the woman with the nice smile who isresponsible for the international students at St Hilda's, was quite strange because

even though I had skyped with my host family before I started my journey I certainlydidn't know them very well.

St Hilda's sign next to the school archway and the bus stops where pupil from small villages used to pull in their cars2 3

Brighton sign on the road in front of my house view all over Dunedin from the lunchroom at St Hilda's

I arrived at Dunedin airport on April 27th of 2011 after a 24 hours flight from Frankfurtto Singapore and then to Christchurch where I boarded a small airplane to Dunedin.

Getting picked up by my host family and Maggie, the woman with the nice smile who isresponsible for the international students at St Hilda's, was quite strange because

even though I had skyped with my host family before I started my journey I certainlydidn't know them very well.

St Hilda's sign next to the school archway and the bus stops where pupil from small villages used to pull in their cars2 3

Brighton sign on the road in front of my house view all over Dunedin from the lunchroom at St Hilda's

I arrived at Dunedin airport on April 27th of 2011 after a 24 hours flight from Frankfurtto Singapore and then to Christchurch where I boarded a small airplane to Dunedin.

Getting picked up by my host family and Maggie, the woman with the nice smile who isresponsible for the international students at St Hilda's, was quite strange because

even though I had skyped with my host family before I started my journey I certainlydidn't know them very well.

St Hilda's sign next to the school archway and the bus stops where pupil from small villages used to pull in their cars2 3

Studying at St Hilda's Collegiate SchoolSt Hilda's has about 400 students, and about 40 of them are Internationals from all over the world. We had girls fromTaiwan, Japan, Korea, Austria, Germany and a lot other nationalities. I joined year 12 and had to choose six subjects. Wehad to take English, Maths and Physical Education which changes between Cooking and Health Education every term.The other three subjects weren't given, so I took Drama, History and Outdoor Education. My favourite subject wasDrama, because our drama teacher was awesome and we did a lot of practically exercises and performed aShakespeare play. It was lot of fun!As every school in NZ even St Hilda's had a school uniform of blue and green, the skirt was made in a Scottish style andsome pupil wore buttons with their house sign on it or an award for something special they had achieved. During theweek we had chapel, twice which is a little church in the school where we sang our school's hymn and pray. It wasalways nice to see how a school community can be so fused together and strong as it is the case at St Hilda's. Theexperience of being together as one big group was one of the most significant things I remember. We also had tutorgroup once a week: Girls from year 10 to year 13 came together to have fun and play some games or do a quiz to get toknow each other better, even the tutor group teacher was nice and always brought sweets for us =)There's a lot more I remember about studying at St Hilda's, the teachers and pupil were all so friendly to each otherthat you have the impression they are your friends! And for the international students there was a 'buddy meeting'every Wednesday during lunch time with kiwi girls and Maggie, who organised presentations or supplied ingredients forthe baking of cheese rolls.All in all I loved being surrounded by St Hilda's pupil, the teachers and even the sound of the bell ringing which wasabnormally loud! =)

Outdoor Education class year 12

Internationals and kiwi girls at 'buddy meeting'during lunch time

4 5

Studying at St Hilda's Collegiate SchoolSt Hilda's has about 400 students, and about 40 of them are Internationals from all over the world. We had girls fromTaiwan, Japan, Korea, Austria, Germany and a lot other nationalities. I joined year 12 and had to choose six subjects. Wehad to take English, Maths and Physical Education which changes between Cooking and Health Education every term.The other three subjects weren't given, so I took Drama, History and Outdoor Education. My favourite subject wasDrama, because our drama teacher was awesome and we did a lot of practically exercises and performed aShakespeare play. It was lot of fun!As every school in NZ even St Hilda's had a school uniform of blue and green, the skirt was made in a Scottish style andsome pupil wore buttons with their house sign on it or an award for something special they had achieved. During theweek we had chapel, twice which is a little church in the school where we sang our school's hymn and pray. It wasalways nice to see how a school community can be so fused together and strong as it is the case at St Hilda's. Theexperience of being together as one big group was one of the most significant things I remember. We also had tutorgroup once a week: Girls from year 10 to year 13 came together to have fun and play some games or do a quiz to get toknow each other better, even the tutor group teacher was nice and always brought sweets for us =)There's a lot more I remember about studying at St Hilda's, the teachers and pupil were all so friendly to each otherthat you have the impression they are your friends! And for the international students there was a 'buddy meeting'every Wednesday during lunch time with kiwi girls and Maggie, who organised presentations or supplied ingredients forthe baking of cheese rolls.All in all I loved being surrounded by St Hilda's pupil, the teachers and even the sound of the bell ringing which wasabnormally loud! =)

Outdoor Education class year 12

Internationals and kiwi girls at 'buddy meeting'during lunch time

4 5

Studying at St Hilda's Collegiate SchoolSt Hilda's has about 400 students, and about 40 of them are Internationals from all over the world. We had girls fromTaiwan, Japan, Korea, Austria, Germany and a lot other nationalities. I joined year 12 and had to choose six subjects. Wehad to take English, Maths and Physical Education which changes between Cooking and Health Education every term.The other three subjects weren't given, so I took Drama, History and Outdoor Education. My favourite subject wasDrama, because our drama teacher was awesome and we did a lot of practically exercises and performed aShakespeare play. It was lot of fun!As every school in NZ even St Hilda's had a school uniform of blue and green, the skirt was made in a Scottish style andsome pupil wore buttons with their house sign on it or an award for something special they had achieved. During theweek we had chapel, twice which is a little church in the school where we sang our school's hymn and pray. It wasalways nice to see how a school community can be so fused together and strong as it is the case at St Hilda's. Theexperience of being together as one big group was one of the most significant things I remember. We also had tutorgroup once a week: Girls from year 10 to year 13 came together to have fun and play some games or do a quiz to get toknow each other better, even the tutor group teacher was nice and always brought sweets for us =)There's a lot more I remember about studying at St Hilda's, the teachers and pupil were all so friendly to each otherthat you have the impression they are your friends! And for the international students there was a 'buddy meeting'every Wednesday during lunch time with kiwi girls and Maggie, who organised presentations or supplied ingredients forthe baking of cheese rolls.All in all I loved being surrounded by St Hilda's pupil, the teachers and even the sound of the bell ringing which wasabnormally loud! =)

Outdoor Education class year 12

Internationals and kiwi girls at 'buddy meeting'during lunch time

4 5

Maggie's student office

Germans on the top of Dunedin Peninsula

Bowling night with all the Internationals Me and my host sister April in school uniform on thedriveway

Dunedin Railway Station is one of the beautiful oldbuildings and was built in 1906

6 7Maggie's student office

Germans on the top of Dunedin Peninsula

Bowling night with all the Internationals Me and my host sister April in school uniform on thedriveway

Dunedin Railway Station is one of the beautiful oldbuildings and was built in 1906

6 7Maggie's student office

Germans on the top of Dunedin Peninsula

Bowling night with all the Internationals Me and my host sister April in school uniform on thedriveway

Dunedin Railway Station is one of the beautiful oldbuildings and was built in 1906

6 7

Fortunately I had the chance to goto a real school formal as they'realways shown in American films! Iwas quite excited and it turned outto be one of the best days I've ever

had! We all had to dress up andorganize a partner and when wearrived at Dunedin Town Hall, the

school Principles welcomedeveryone. The buffet was amazingand after tea we all got up to take

photos and dance to the live music.It has been a wonderful evening!

St Hilda's Year 12 Formal8 9

Fortunately I had the chance to goto a real school formal as they'realways shown in American films! Iwas quite excited and it turned outto be one of the best days I've ever

had! We all had to dress up andorganize a partner and when wearrived at Dunedin Town Hall, the

school Principles welcomedeveryone. The buffet was amazingand after tea we all got up to take

photos and dance to the live music.It has been a wonderful evening!

St Hilda's Year 12 Formal8 9

Fortunately I had the chance to goto a real school formal as they'realways shown in American films! Iwas quite excited and it turned outto be one of the best days I've ever

had! We all had to dress up andorganize a partner and when wearrived at Dunedin Town Hall, the

school Principles welcomedeveryone. The buffet was amazingand after tea we all got up to take

photos and dance to the live music.It has been a wonderful evening!

St Hilda's Year 12 Formal8 9

yellow- eyed penguine on the Peninsula a group of seals chilling on the beach

sheep overlooking Dunedin's harbour girls cayaking Baldwin Street - the steepest street in the world is located in Dunedin10 11

yellow- eyed penguine on the Peninsula a group of seals chilling on the beach

sheep overlooking Dunedin's harbour girls cayaking Baldwin Street - the steepest street in the world is located in Dunedin10 11

yellow- eyed penguine on the Peninsula a group of seals chilling on the beach

sheep overlooking Dunedin's harbour girls cayaking Baldwin Street - the steepest street in the world is located in Dunedin10 11

Celebrating my 16th Birthday in NZ

We builtsand kiwibirds andate Pavlova

12 13

Celebrating my 16th Birthday in NZ

We builtsand kiwibirds andate Pavlova

12 13

Celebrating my 16th Birthday in NZ

We builtsand kiwibirds andate Pavlova

12 13

Daytrip to the Moreaki Boulders stop on the road

Me and my host family did a few day-trips to the Catlins and it'swonderful water falls and also to the famous Moreaki Boulders on theSouth Island. It was always a lot fun sitting in the car, singing songsfrom the radio together and having picknick and stops on beautiful

fields. I am so glad that they showed me their country and explainedits differnet landscapes.

Trips with my host family

14 15

Daytrip to the Moreaki Boulders stop on the road

Me and my host family did a few day-trips to the Catlins and it'swonderful water falls and also to the famous Moreaki Boulders on theSouth Island. It was always a lot fun sitting in the car, singing songsfrom the radio together and having picknick and stops on beautiful

fields. I am so glad that they showed me their country and explainedits differnet landscapes.

Trips with my host family

14 15

Daytrip to the Moreaki Boulders stop on the road

Me and my host family did a few day-trips to the Catlins and it'swonderful water falls and also to the famous Moreaki Boulders on theSouth Island. It was always a lot fun sitting in the car, singing songsfrom the radio together and having picknick and stops on beautiful

fields. I am so glad that they showed me their country and explainedits differnet landscapes.

Trips with my host family

14 15

I got to know alot of differentpeople and alsosome Germanswho attendedSt Hilda's,too.Now, half ayear later, I'mstill in contactwith all of themand we'll catchup soon!

Me and Jule near the Catlins16 17

I got to know alot of differentpeople and alsosome Germanswho attendedSt Hilda's,too.Now, half ayear later, I'mstill in contactwith all of themand we'll catchup soon!

Me and Jule near the Catlins16 17

I got to know alot of differentpeople and alsosome Germanswho attendedSt Hilda's,too.Now, half ayear later, I'mstill in contactwith all of themand we'll catchup soon!

Me and Jule near the Catlins16 17

North- and South- Island Tourwith Flying Kiwis

Wai- O- Tapo Thermal Wonderland in Rotorua18 19

North- and South- Island Tourwith Flying Kiwis

Wai- O- Tapo Thermal Wonderland in Rotorua18 19

North- and South- Island Tourwith Flying Kiwis

Wai- O- Tapo Thermal Wonderland in Rotorua18 19

wild dolphins in the sea

smelly mud pool

During school holiday between Term 2 and Term 3 I did a guided tourall around the North- and South- Island of New Zealand. There weremany other international students, especially from Italy! We visited thefamous places and traveled from Auckland to Wellington, crossed thesea on a ferry and then travelled all the way down to Christchurch,Lake Tekapo and Wanaka until two weeks had past by and we arrived inDunedin. In some cities we were able to do bungy jumping or sky divingand even dolphin swimming and whale watching which were the thingsI preferred to do! We visited New Zealand's national museum 'Te Papa'and learned more about the Maori culture. Even the place where 'Lordof the Rings' was filmed was on our way.It has been two weeks full of excitements and experiences! And I thinkeveryone ought to know how beautiful the wild nature is!20 21

wild dolphins in the sea

smelly mud pool

During school holiday between Term 2 and Term 3 I did a guided tourall around the North- and South- Island of New Zealand. There weremany other international students, especially from Italy! We visited thefamous places and traveled from Auckland to Wellington, crossed thesea on a ferry and then travelled all the way down to Christchurch,Lake Tekapo and Wanaka until two weeks had past by and we arrived inDunedin. In some cities we were able to do bungy jumping or sky divingand even dolphin swimming and whale watching which were the thingsI preferred to do! We visited New Zealand's national museum 'Te Papa'and learned more about the Maori culture. Even the place where 'Lordof the Rings' was filmed was on our way.It has been two weeks full of excitements and experiences! And I thinkeveryone ought to know how beautiful the wild nature is!20 21

wild dolphins in the sea

smelly mud pool

During school holiday between Term 2 and Term 3 I did a guided tourall around the North- and South- Island of New Zealand. There weremany other international students, especially from Italy! We visited thefamous places and traveled from Auckland to Wellington, crossed thesea on a ferry and then travelled all the way down to Christchurch,Lake Tekapo and Wanaka until two weeks had past by and we arrived inDunedin. In some cities we were able to do bungy jumping or sky divingand even dolphin swimming and whale watching which were the thingsI preferred to do! We visited New Zealand's national museum 'Te Papa'and learned more about the Maori culture. Even the place where 'Lordof the Rings' was filmed was on our way.It has been two weeks full of excitements and experiences! And I thinkeveryone ought to know how beautiful the wild nature is!20 21

Maori village in Blenheim

Puzzling World in Wanaka Whale Watching in Kaikoura Queenstown's harbour at night22 23

Maori village in Blenheim

Puzzling World in Wanaka Whale Watching in Kaikoura Queenstown's harbour at night22 23

Maori village in Blenheim

Puzzling World in Wanaka Whale Watching in Kaikoura Queenstown's harbour at night22 23

Rugby game in the new stadium inDunedin

Cadbury Chocolate, Milo andTimTamsView all over Wanaka from its top

New Zealand's national museum 'Te Papa'

24 25

Rugby game in the new stadium inDunedin

Cadbury Chocolate, Milo andTimTamsView all over Wanaka from its top

New Zealand's national museum 'Te Papa'

24 25

Rugby game in the new stadium inDunedin

Cadbury Chocolate, Milo andTimTamsView all over Wanaka from its top

New Zealand's national museum 'Te Papa'

24 25

Me and the neighbour's dog Toby on the beach

View from my window at home in NZ St Clair Beach with friends of mine26 27

Me and the neighbour's dog Toby on the beach

View from my window at home in NZ St Clair Beach with friends of mine26 27

Me and the neighbour's dog Toby on the beach

View from my window at home in NZ St Clair Beach with friends of mine26 27

Back to Germany

Even the thought of flying back to Germany brought tears intomy eyes. I had to leave all the people I got to know behind, myhost parents, my host sister, the kiwi girls at St Hilda's, theInternationals and also the teachers! When the door of theairplane closed I finally had to realise that this is done, but in myheart a part of myself is still in New Zealand. Emails and Skypemake it easier to keep in touch and I promised myself to go backone day, but at this point I take it as the best time I've ever had!

Me and Kathi: We love New Zealand =) Having dinner at Vapiano in Münster with Stefannie fromNZ and some German girls

28 29

Back to Germany

Even the thought of flying back to Germany brought tears intomy eyes. I had to leave all the people I got to know behind, myhost parents, my host sister, the kiwi girls at St Hilda's, theInternationals and also the teachers! When the door of theairplane closed I finally had to realise that this is done, but in myheart a part of myself is still in New Zealand. Emails and Skypemake it easier to keep in touch and I promised myself to go backone day, but at this point I take it as the best time I've ever had!

Me and Kathi: We love New Zealand =) Having dinner at Vapiano in Münster with Stefannie fromNZ and some German girls

28 29

Back to Germany

Even the thought of flying back to Germany brought tears intomy eyes. I had to leave all the people I got to know behind, myhost parents, my host sister, the kiwi girls at St Hilda's, theInternationals and also the teachers! When the door of theairplane closed I finally had to realise that this is done, but in myheart a part of myself is still in New Zealand. Emails and Skypemake it easier to keep in touch and I promised myself to go backone day, but at this point I take it as the best time I've ever had!

Me and Kathi: We love New Zealand =) Having dinner at Vapiano in Münster with Stefannie fromNZ and some German girls

28 29

Der Bahnof von DunedinDie Fjordlands auf der Südinsel - ganz wie inNorwegen

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Der Bahnof von DunedinDie Fjordlands auf der Südinsel - ganz wie inNorwegen

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Der Bahnof von DunedinDie Fjordlands auf der Südinsel - ganz wie inNorwegen

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St. Clair's Beach in Dunedin32