To travel is to learn. The world around us is a beautiful place and living in our corner of the world can only open your eyes so much. The University of Otago is located about 9,000 miles away from my small college town in Iowa, and there is beauty in the distance. Freshmen year of college, hearing a student who had traveled to New Zealand inspired me to move beyond the Midwest and to experience the vastness that the country had to offer. From mountains in my backyard, to the soft rolling waves just down the road, the University of Otago drew me closer as I learned more about it. Massey University is more suited for my major, Animal Science, but what if I decided that my adventure didn’t have to be ag? What if I didn’t have to stick to “resume boosters”, but do something to diversify me as a person?  That’s why I chose New Zealand, why I chose the University of Otago. I wanted to go on an adventure of a lifetime, still get an education, but discover the world I was born into. Education beyond the classroom has always piqued my interest, and I decided that if I still don’t know what I want to do with my life, I might as well have some personal development. 

And this personal development is much deserved and very needed. My name is Rianka Macwan, and my college career brought about bouts of depression. After having struggled for years and making it disappear, it was back in full-force, much to my horror. My mind has been muddled, and my perseverance and determination has been slipping. I need to clear my head, clear my mind, and learn how to refocus on me. My daily frustrations drag me down, and I have so much hope for my time in New Zealand. This will be my time to get away, change my environment and learn more about what I want out of life.  

I’m not leaving Iowa to spite anyone. I’m doing it for me. New Zealand has been on my mind for 3 years now, and I’m finally making my dream into a reality.