Kia ora! My name is Naashkii, and for my Winter 2026 semester, I had the opportunity to study abroad at Waipapa Taumata Rau, also known as the . Without a doubt, it was the most gratifying and transformative experience of my life. I am incredibly grateful for the places I saw, the people I met, and the culture I experienced. New Zealand is such a beautiful country, and throughout the semester, I constantly had to remind myself that this was real life!
I chose New Zealand specifically to experience Mâori culture and see what Indigenous-settler relations could look like. As an Anishinaabe woman, I was continuously blown away by how deeply Mâori culture is ingrained into every aspect of Kiwi life. I lived in university accommodation and was lucky enough to be paired with a medical student named Jess, who is Mâori. Some of my favourite memories were simply sitting in our kitchen together, chatting about everything from Love Island to the similarities and stark differences between being Indigenous women in New Zealand and Canada. Without this exchange, I never would have met such an incredible person.
Academically, I focused on Mâori-specific courses. I learned about Mâori health, decolonizing Mâori film, and traditional teachings called tikanga. I also took a kapa haka class, where I learned traditional Mâori dance and songs, including haka and poi. While it pushed me way out of my comfort zone, it was easily the most rewarding academic experience I had. At the end of the term, our class, split evenly between Mâori and Pâkehâ (or non-Mâori) students, performed six songs and chants together, making our final performance deeply special.
As an international student, I met people from all over the world and built lifelong friendships. We spent every weekend exploring New Zealand- from completing 20+ km overnight hikes to renting Airbnbs in seaside beach towns. I even had the chance to explore the South Island, which was just a short flight away!
Living in New Zealand's largest city was an absolute dream. My friends and I spent our weekdays balancing classes with local cafes, shopping, beach trips, incredible food, and workout classes.
To any incoming exchange students: take the leap! Moving across the world can feel daunting, but it will easily be one of the best decisions you ever make. Stepping out of your comfort zone and leaning into every unexpected moment teaches you so much about yourself and the world. Say yes to every opportunity- you’ll return home with lifelong connections, priceless memories, and a whole new perspective on life
Naashkii's Photos
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