Chris “spread your legs” Hipkins will travel to North and South America this month to promote studying in Aotearoa to diverse student markets. International students will be welcomed back into the country from the end of July as the government announces that New Zealand is “open for business.”
A soon to be international student starting at UoA in July shared on the Reddit thread, Reddit/UniversityofAuckland, “I just got into the University of Auckland and I am so excited!! Any ideas or advice?”
The top comment, “My condolences,” received 157 up-votes. After that scathing review, Hipkins might have his work cut out for him.
However, international student Jade Lewis told Craccum that despite the culture shock, they would recommend studying at the University of Auckland to other American students.
“Be prepared to stick out like a sore thumb with your American accent and to feel the social isolation of being a—for me—nonbinary Asian American. But adjusting to New Zealand culture can be fun, with all the new phrases like ‘sweet as’ and ‘she’ll be right’. Not to mention learning about Māori culture, Te Reo, and New Zealand’s history.”
Another pro they would tell students looking to study here, “There are beaches. Everywhere. Much nicer, cleaner with less people than most coasts in the US, especially compared to dinky Virginia beaches!”
However, they miss the food options in the states. “I know Kiwis think all we eat is sugar and grease—but I miss Chick-Fil-A, Chipotle, my local Vietnamese places, and Target.”
Lewis says that ultimately, they wouldn’t take back the experience of “having a grill on the beach, eating a meat pie in between classes, climbing a tree at Albert park, or trying to club for the first time.”
There you go Chris, those are some great selling points, you’re welcome.