Day 15

 

Goodbye, New Zealand!

We started our journey home bright and early this morning. We left for the Christchurch airport at 3AM and arrived in Melbourne, Australia for our 7-hour layover. We kept ourselves busy by taking laps around our terminal, watching the Timberwolves game, getting a bite to eat, and finishing up our journals. 

Our plane for the 15-hour flight.

On our flight, we all caught up on some much-needed sleep and watched plenty of movies. New Zealand was an exciting experience, but we can’t wait to be back in our own beds. The last two weeks have been jam packed with farm visits, beautiful views, delicious food, and so much more! 

Boarding time!!

Here’s what each of us thought the best part was:

The fifth longest flight in the world
 wasn't so bad for Hayden.

Are we there yet?

Emily: Watching the sunrise on the beach and the visit to Hewson Farms. (And getting to meet the Red Clay Strays!)

Elle: Seeing the geysers at Te Puia.

Casey: Getting to pet all the farm dogs.

Julianne: The Māori Haka performance.

Halle: Her first home stay where she got to help move sheep.

Ava: Doubtful Sound.

Aletta: Mount Somers Station visit.

Cade: Doubtful Sound tour and Hewson Farms visit.

Hayden: The little blue penguins.

Bruce: The truck rides through the farm at Lillburn Station.

Jaydon: The Earnscleugh Station visit where we learned about their Marino sheep.

Hadley: Getting to interact with locals and see New Zealand through the prospect of the locals.

Beth: Doubtful Sound.

Kayleen: Lillburn Station farm visit.

Kallie: Doubtful Sound and Lillburn Station.

Kyle: Doubtful Sound and visiting with farmers.

Mitchell: Walking through the bulls at Kairuru.

Brianna: Doubtful Sound.

Carl: Hewson Farms.

Every day brought a new adventure, and we are beyond grateful for this experience. We are especially thankful to our professors that came along for the journey. Julie Walker, Rosie Nold, Phil Urso, and Robin Salverson, kept us all in line and helped us make the most of every day! None of this would have been possible without them!

Our journey ended with a travel day of 36.5 hours where we could reflect on our adventure. We will always be grateful for the lessons learned, connections made, and memories formed.

For the last time,

The 2025 New Zealand International Experience Class.

Starstruck at baggage claim.

Written by: Emily and Kayleen