Heya! I’m Kareena, a second-year student at the University of Waikato, studying a Bachelor of Sport and Human Performance. I’ll be heading off to the German Sport University in Cologne for my exchange.

I’ve always been drawn to Europe, so when I decided to go on exchange, I knew my heart was set on studying there. Being half Dutch and born in the Netherlands, choosing Germany felt like the perfect fit, it’s close to my roots while also offering the excitement of experiencing a new culture. Even though I’ll be far from New Zealand, it feels like I’ll be closer to home in a way.

Through this exchange, I hope to grow both personally and academically. I want to broaden my cultural awareness, explore my own heritage alongside German culture, and gain new perspectives that I can bring back to my studies and future career. I’m really excited for the adventure ahead and grateful for the opportunity to go on exchange.