On my third day in New Zealand, I thought it would be a great idea to get back into running again. Running had gotten away from me due to school, work, clubs and everything else a busy college student is doing. Along my first run, I came across a sign announcing the Pelorus Trust Run […]
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Production. Production has been part of my student teaching abroad before I even arrived to New Zealand. My cooperating teacher informed that during term 3 Kelson Primary would be hosting a school-wide production. I had some experience with productions when I was in high school and I do love watching shows, but I did not […]
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Zealandia is a sanctuary for native animals of New Zealand. It is located within Wellington, but you would not suspect you were anywhere near civilization when you arrive. Upon arrival, Zealandia looks like a beautiful, abundant forest that stretches for miles and miles. Around the sanctuary though your eyes are drawn to the Fort Knox-style […]
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Jane. Grant. Thomas. Isobel. Ripley. What the bunch! From day one, the Murrays made me feel welcomed, and after a single week I felt like part of the family. The mornings are groggy and our evenings are laughter filled. And as “hunky-dory” as it all sounds, I must say their spunkiness and craziness keeps me […]
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Hola Chicos! Hello from the United States of America! I am finally back in Wisconsin, and this time it’s for good. Although my time abroad has come to an end, I am incredibly excited to be home and begin the next chapter in my life. So, what is next for Alexia? That is a question […]
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Textbooks, note taking, essays, projects, exams, ANOTHER SCHOOL YEAR, are you ready for it?!!! The start of a new school year–just like the start of anything new–finds me filled with mixed emotions, I imagine many of you reading this can agree. A bit of sadness, excitement and fear all fill my mind. I am sad […]
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It was hard to say what each weekend would bring – this was mostly because of the weather! Winters in New Zealand (NZ) can be difficult to gauge. One day it would be down pouring and the next there was not a single cloud in the sky! Some weekends were for relaxing (especially during my […]
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The week of Aug. 10 began my first week of teaching solo. The experience was astonishing. With my sole teaching, I had the opportunity to teach content areas that are common, and not so common, in the United States for the classroom teacher. I felt myself step up as I was the one who was […]
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Nearly two months have passed since I came home from an adventure of a lifetime and not one day goes by that I am not reminded of the learners at National Institute of Special Education (NISE) in some way or another. The stories of the people in Namibia last forever. From the unique culture and […]
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Sunday, Aug. 23 was my birthday, and for the first time since arriving to New Zealand, I felt the horrible emotions of homesickness. Birthdays are to be happy celebrations, but I was down in the dumps. I had not expected how sad I would be on my birthday. Over the years, I had been lucky […]
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