Greetings Rotarians, Friends, and Family!
Hello from way down under in the land of the kiwis, New Zealand! This is my Ambassadorial Scholar blog, which I will be posting on throughout the year with information about my scholarship year in Dunedin. Please feel free to contact me personally at any time. I will be more than happy to answer any questions and hear any comments. I can be reached at the following email address:
Hello from way down under in the land of the kiwis, New Zealand! This is my Ambassadorial Scholar blog, which I will be posting on throughout the year with information about my scholarship year in Dunedin. Please feel free to contact me personally at any time. I will be more than happy to answer any questions and hear any comments. I can be reached at the following email address:
melanselmo@gmail.com
After a two day journey I reached Dunedin, and was greeted at the airport by my sponsor counselor, Grant McClean and his wife, Jan who graciously welcomed me into their home.
I’ve spent much of my first week here exploring the city and taking drives to see more of this beautiful country. Dunedin is a city of about 100
,000 located on the east coast of the south island. It is famous for being home to the country’s first university, Otago, in addition to the plethora of wildlife. Penguins, seals, giant albatross all come to nest and breed on the Otago Peninsula. Going on a drive around Otago harbor, you cannot help but hold your breath (and not just because you are driving on the wrong side of the road) at the magnificent landscape in front of you. There are staggering cliffs, rolling hills, and beautiful beaches all in one sweeping vista.
After a two day journey I reached Dunedin, and was greeted at the airport by my sponsor counselor, Grant McClean and his wife, Jan who graciously welcomed me into their home.
I’ve spent much of my first week here exploring the city and taking drives to see more of this beautiful country. Dunedin is a city of about 100
,000 located on the east coast of the south island. It is famous for being home to the country’s first university, Otago, in addition to the plethora of wildlife. Penguins, seals, giant albatross all come to nest and breed on the Otago Peninsula. Going on a drive around Otago harbor, you cannot help but hold your breath (and not just because you are driving on the wrong side of the road) at the magnificent landscape in front of you. There are staggering cliffs, rolling hills, and beautiful beaches all in one sweeping vista. Jan & Grant, my Dunedin Hosts!
Sleeping Seal on Snells Beach, Otago Peninsula
Tea- dinner as in “what would you like for tea?” or “the dog ate your tea.”
Sweet as- ranging from ‘ok’ to ‘awesome’ as in “I won the lottery! Sweet as!”
Cuppa- a cup of tea. “would you like a cuppa?”
Good on ya!- wow, I’m impressed
Scarfies- students
Wee – as in wee boy, a wee bit, a wee cat, a wee penguin
Hokey Pokey- delicious ice cream flavor, vanilla with caramelized crunch bits
I want to thank Rotary International, my sponsor Rotarian Club, the Lewisburg Sunrise in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and my host club, North Dunedin here in New Zealand. I am so excited by this opportunity to live and learn in this amazing new place. I will be updating this blog frequently, so please send me any questions and let me know if there’s anything you’d like to see posted. Cheers!
Kaieri Trail, Otago Peninsula
New Zealand is roughly 2/3s the size of California, but has only 4 million inhabitants (and lest we forget 40 million sheep). My favorite historical fact that I’ve learned about New Zealand so far is that it is the first country to allow women to vote. In addition, women have all held the top three government positions: Prime Minister, Governor General, and Chief Justice.
I have moved into a flat (a house) in South Dunedin in a suburb, Caversham. I’m still learning Kiwi English, but here are a few phrases I’ve picked up on:
New Zealand is roughly 2/3s the size of California, but has only 4 million inhabitants (and lest we forget 40 million sheep). My favorite historical fact that I’ve learned about New Zealand so far is that it is the first country to allow women to vote. In addition, women have all held the top three government positions: Prime Minister, Governor General, and Chief Justice.
I have moved into a flat (a house) in South Dunedin in a suburb, Caversham. I’m still learning Kiwi English, but here are a few phrases I’ve picked up on:
Tea- dinner as in “what would you like for tea?” or “the dog ate your tea.”
Sweet as- ranging from ‘ok’ to ‘awesome’ as in “I won the lottery! Sweet as!”
Cuppa- a cup of tea. “would you like a cuppa?”
Good on ya!- wow, I’m impressed
Scarfies- students
Wee – as in wee boy, a wee bit, a wee cat, a wee penguin
Hokey Pokey- delicious ice cream flavor, vanilla with caramelized crunch bits
I want to thank Rotary International, my sponsor Rotarian Club, the Lewisburg Sunrise in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and my host club, North Dunedin here in New Zealand. I am so excited by this opportunity to live and learn in this amazing new place. I will be updating this blog frequently, so please send me any questions and let me know if there’s anything you’d like to see posted. Cheers!
