We started classes yesterday and I think it is safe to say I underestimated the difficulty of taking classes in New Zealand. Luckily, the classes are small and the professors are overly generous with their willingness to help the international students (still can't believe I'm studying internationally, wow!). I am taking mostly sociolgy courses and, of course, wine 101. The sociology courses I am taking are upper level and focused primarily on New Zealand current events and public policies... My knowledge of New Zealand up to this point includes only that they are laid back, outdoorsy, and make great wine. That said, I feel a bit behind in lecutres because I am constantly having to look up the basics of what they are talking about. However, I am learning a lot about New Zealand in a way that I was not expecting. My classmates, mostly Kiwis, are more than willing to help me out and the professors are understanding of my postion. Class is also a really great way to meet local students.

This past weekend we went to Hamner Springs. It was the first time we went up into the mountains and I was awe struck the entire bus ride. One second you're in the farm valley where you can see the mountains in a distance, and the next you are climbing a steep grade around the cliff of the mountain side. When we got there, we went on a hike and about halfway through got poured on... naturally. Lucky for us, our next activity were the natural hot springs that were in the center of a mountain town surrounded by the Southern Alps. It was an amazing day and I got to know the international students really well. I sat next to a woman from India on the way back and learned more about the government in India than I learned in my requried Texas Government course at UT. Fascinating what you can learn just by talking to people.

There is no class on Wednesdays (because apparently three consecutive days of class is far too stressful), so tomorrow I am headed into Christchurch to explore more of the city and find out where the popular areas are. All of the Kiwis say that Christchurch is still their favorite city in NZ even after the earthquake, so I am going to explore and find out for myself. Not having a car makes it more difficult to explore, but they have a pretty good bus system that runs from campus to Christchurch every half hour.

Not sure what adventures are to come this weekend, but I am confident that they will be nothing near disappointing. I can already tell that transitioning back into the real world is going to be difficult.