Cierra Stevens ’20 is a junior Sociology-Anthropology major at Elizabethtown College. Cierra had the opportunity to spend a semester studying in Dunedin, New Zealand. Being abroad allowed her to learn little details about the country.
Cierra learned a few things about money while abroad. In New Zealand, the price given is what you pay, as tax is already factored in. When paying with a credit card, don’t put it away right after signing because the cashier may check the signature on the receipt to see if it matches the one on the card.
In terms of politics, Cierra learned the Queen of England is also the Queen of New Zealand. When she visits, she may visit Parliament but is not allowed into the House of Representatives.
Cierra also learned a thing or two about food. Vegemite, a popular spread, tastes different in New Zealand than Vegemite in Australia. The flavor is not as strong. In New Zealand, you cannot ask for a peanut butter and jelly. Jelly is actually Jell-O and jam is jelly.
Cierra was also shocked to see signs marking where it was safe to jump off the pier into the harbor and an abundance of love locks throughout the city.
These small differences have thrown Cierra for a loop on occasion. Even so, being in the country has allowed Cierra to learn more about New Zealand than anything she could have read in preparation. Even when embarrassed, she has learned to put the best foot forward and learn from these experiences.
*Click on the hyperlinks above to learn more about BCA Study Abroad’s Dunedin, New Zealand program and to read Cierra’s original blog published by BCA Study Abroad on April 25, 2019.
Blue Jays Abroad 
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