by Aria Kerebs

As of the 21^st of December, I have been back home in Aotearoa New Zealand. The nine-hour flight crossing the international date line, from Honolulu to Auckland airport, provided me with ample time to process the sadness of leaving, and the excitement of returning home, as well as to watch many many movies. With my exchange now over, I have friends scattered all over the United States, and a sense of fulfilment that I was able to fully experience and enjoy my “solo adventure”.

Travel Essentials

Of all the items I packed in my suitcase, the one that made my life the easiest was definitely a New Zealand multi-box and two US plug adapters. One adapter was used for my six-socket multi-box, so I had more than enough space to charge my devices and plug things in, and the other loose adapter was my “out-and-about” adapter that I would take with me to campus in case I needed to charge something. While this seems like a small thing to consider as an essential, it definitely made my day-to-day life significantly easier.

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Highlights

Although my entire semester exchange will definitely be classed as a highlight of my life, there were an array of experiences that stood out within it. These experiences include, but are not limited to:

• Witnessing Kīlauea erupt at Volcano National Park
• Watching Manta Rays glide through the water above a steep drop-off while diving in Keauhou Bay
• Adventuring all around Hawai’i Island in our rented car over Thanksgiving break
• Seeing the sunrise at the top of Mauna Kea
• Parasailing with my roommate Jenna in Waikiki, Oahu

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Challenges

As to be expected I faced a variety of challenges over my semester abroad. While some challenges were fairly small and insignificant, like walking on the wrong side of the footpath, or people constantly thinking I’m Australian, the greatest challenge I faced was missing people at home. It is an unusual feeling when your home life continues progressing without you in it, and you have to watch from afar. I wouldn’t say it was a feeling I ever overcame. Fortunately, I was able to keep in good contact with my people at home, so whenever I felt homesick or just wanted to share something exciting from my week I was able to ring them up and chitty chat.

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Learnings

The experiences I have had while abroad have no doubt impacted me in more ways than I probably realise. Through this wonderful adventure, I have grown as an individual. I have learnt that embracing change is far greater than fearing it, and that I am capable of a lot more than I would’ve once thought. I have pushed myself and found that the space I moved into was more space I could make my own. This experience has cemented to me how important relationships are, and how strong friendships and bonds can form quickly when you find the right people.

I feel so immensely grateful that I was able to go on a semester exchange to the University of Hawai’i at Hilo, and I know it will stick with me forever.