Differences and Observations

The cost of living in New Zealand is crazy.

I got a couple snacks and some meal type stuff at the grocery store and it came to $113.  I get the same grocery list in the US for about $35. 

Also…you pay for everything here.  I mean EVERYTHING! I have to pay for electrical in my dorm and WiFi (which is limited).  Yes, I realize paying for electrical is a normal life pain, but not typically when you are in college! You have to pay to get “free wifi” at public places.  You pay for each bag the bagger puts your groceries in at the store.  You pay $4 for the cheapest bottle of water I have found so far.  I’m honestly waiting for the day when you have to pay per word you speak. 

It’s quite frustrating and discouraging actually. They don’t pay for school here, so when they pay for electrical and wifi and to go to the school gym and such it’s not THAT big of a deal.  But I’m still paying RWU tuition (which includes electrical, wifi, gym, food, HEAT, classes, clubs so I don’t have to pay separate) even though I’m not there.  So paying all this on top of that is crazy. 

They also eat a TON. It was actually funny.  When we arrived at orientation we got breakfast, “morning tea “(another meal), lunch, “afternoon tea” (another meal), dinner, and then supper.  This is not a joke. This is how they eat here.  Needless to say, I’m joining the gym tomorrow.

Also, classes are of 300 kids.  At RWU, my class size is around 20 students.  So I will be in a lecture with 300 other students.  I am a little nervous for this.  Also, they don’t really have assignments during the semester.  Everything is really focused on the exam at the end of the semester.  I am not the best test taker so I guess we will see how that goes. 

They are also VERY relaxed about everything here.  Colleen and I were freaking out about not being registered for ANY classes for Monday and everyone at the school was like oh no, don’t worry about it! And Monday is tomorrow (as I’m writing this) and I’m still not registered for classes.  So!

They call food or “tea time” Kai.

They say things like “sweet as” or “cheap as” for things that are really sweet or really cheap.  It sounds like they never finish their sentences but it’s ok.

They also hardly pronounce vowels.  The accent is taking a little while to get used to but I’m learning fast.  Also I thought this was interesting.  American accents aren’t really noticed by New Zealanders (so I’m told by them) because American culture is such a big part of their culture through music and movies and TV shows and such.  They don’t really notice an accent in us at all.