So it has been quite a thrilling and relaxing first week in Auckland. I have gotten settled into residence and love the place. I share a flat with 5 mates in the student village located peacefully next to the domain - a huge park area with the Auckland Museum. So the first week I have met a ton of new awesome people, figured my way somewhat around campus, enrolled in classes, and began life in New Zealand!

After never having lived in residence before, I am loving being surrounded by interesting people, and always having something to do. Some of these things include going to the pool, as well as the beach, going bowling, having a pub quiz night, having a pub night, having a barbecue, and playing volleyball at the residence volleyball net. There are so many interesting people even just at the residence, that range from Americans, a bunch of Canadians like me (I was surprised), Norwegians, Germans, British, and Irish to name some of the nationalities.

I have also done some of the orientation activities, and I was really impressed at how New Zealander's seemed to embrace the Maori culture, for example, where they had a traditional welcoming dance at the first day of orientation.

I am very happy to have found comfortability with my major in finance where, for now I am only able to take 1 finance course, having other general requirements to take care of, but at least now I know that next year when I take a few more finance courses I will be quite happy to do so and likely to make a career in the industry at some point.

It is great to be here in the middle of summer and have some nice weather. Lots is always going on in the city. I have already eaten the local Kumara fries, which were great, as well as attended the Chinese Lantern Festival near campus. Today I booked a surf trip which is in a couple weeks and I am super excited for.

It will also be interesting to see how the flat goes on, where six people will be sharing one shower. Luckily, we all seem to get along very well.

For the upcoming semester, I plan to start taking some photos! I also intend to travel south and see some of the beautiful countryside I have heard so much about. I will also do well in classes and experience as much of New Zealand as I can in the short time I have here.

-Craig