By: Max Johnson

Leaving the comfort of New Zealand is scary, family, friends, routines, and the culture that home possesses is something that will always restrict people from leaving, I’ve spoked to countless people who are 50+ and have only had the odd holiday to a pacific island or Australia. There is something special about living abroad for a couple months to a point where you can consider yourself settled in and ultimately a place you would call your second home.

On the 8^th of January 2026, I packed up half of my wardrobe and a tummy full of nerves to make a journey to the USA, with the decision set in stone by October 2025. For myself I had never really travelled alone before, especially to a place like the USA, I couldn’t tell you the amount of second thoughts I had before travelling here, but upon arrival my entire perspective on the place had changed. The interesting thing about the USA is that although it’s one country, each state is entirely different, and considering that there are 50 of them, the likelihood that you at least find 1 of them you like is notably high. For myself, I really enjoyed the state I chose to stay in, and I only managed to see 5 states whilst on exchange.

Reflecting on the friendships I have made during my time in the states, I can guarantee they will be forever lasting, I’ll absolutely have people to visit overseas and people who I can also introduce to New Zealand. One thing I’ve learnt from this exchange is that I don’t think the institution that I chose really mattered, the people that I met during this exchange genuinely enhanced my experience which has made me draw the conclusion that people, and connections are one of the most important aspects of life, and if you can establish a connection with pretty much anyone, the opportunities you will stumble across are endless.

Feeling sceptical about going on an exchange is totally normal, in fact I was initially supposed to go abroad the semester before this, but I didn’t build up the confidence to register before the deadline. After working full time for a whole summer, I had realised that I have my entire life to work, and realistically when are you ever going to go study abroad than whilst you’re at university? So, I managed to let go of all the commitments I had back in New Zealand and changed my mind set to prioritise an opportunity for growth, new perspective and change from a repetitive routine.

I remember being told to expect homesickness from those around me, but honestly, I didn’t really feel homesick during my stay, likely from keeping myself busy which took my mind off the people and places that I missed back in New Zealand. The best cure to homesickness is to embrace it, adapt, and avoid making comparisons to home. The Foreign environment will surely become a place that you’ll call a second home.

Some highlights over this 4-month period include beach trips, a snowstorm, Spring Break in Puerto Rico, NYC, nights out, surfing club, rugby and closing out with a Lake House with friends that I had made along the way.

Nonetheless the biggest highlight of my exchange was the people and the connections I had made, and not the 17-hour flight + layover on the way home in Sydney that made me question my mental sanity. Seriously though besides the travel burdens, an opportunity to study abroad is something that having completed, I would highly encourage others to pursue. Push the boundaries, leave familiarity, put yourself in situations you’d usually avoid and embark on a journey that is a once in a lifetime opportunity.