HPB Voices Reloaded
September - October 2007
Kia ora! Haere mai Ao-tea-roa! (don’t look for an online translation. It simply means - Hello and welcome to New Zealand!)
Grace Koh here and I take great pleasure in sharing with all of you about New Zealand, Dunedin, where I am presently studying for a degree in Human Nutrition at The University of Otago.
What you are looking at, in this picture, is a bird’s eye view of Dunedin. It is a sight to behold. There are mountains everywhere. Even the sky seems to be nearer, I can count the stars at night!
Dunedin is a city by the sea. It has white sand beaches, bush clad hills, tidal inlets and volcanic landforms. Dunedin began to grow rapidly after the discovery of gold in the Otago surroundings in 1860. Dunedin was New Zealand’s commercial capital during the last century and laid foundations for its strong tradition in education, which remains the city’s most impressive qualities. 19% of its population is students, and this gives Dunedin its vibrancy and culture diversity, making it the most exciting place to visit in New Zealand. I learnt that most of the shops in Dunedin close during the summer holidays as most of the students return to their home countries.
Before I came to Dunedin, I was told by many that the city is very cold (temperature wise). I couldn’t really imagine the coldness for I had only experienced autumn.
I arrived in summer and the temperature was about 20 degrees, which is lower than Singapore’s. Just as I was getting used to living at 20 + degrees, the temperature dropped to 10+ degrees. Now it is winter and the temperature is a single digit to negative.
*Brrrrrr* It is really cold. And I have to eat very fast or else my food will turn icy cold.
Now, a little bit about my University.
The University of Otago was founded in 1869 and is the oldest and largest university in New Zealand. This year, University of Otago is the top ranked university for research in New Zealand. True to its fame, the laboratory sessions were really very interesting. There was this time when I had to prepare a high fat breakfast & a high carbohydrate breakfast on different days. After which we had to undergo a blood test and class results were used for our report.
During orientation, the international office organised a tour to the Otago Peninsula, well known for the world’s only mainland albatross breeding colony and various ocean bird, seal and penguin species (including the yellow eyed penguin).
This is where I stay, Toroa International House. There are 131 students from 32 countries. I stay in one of those flats with 4 others -a Tonga national, German, Malaysian and a New Zealander. Get to hear them share about their unique cultures over our monthly flat dinners.
Another interesting event that happened during my first semester was a Chinese New Year Celebration with my new friends from church. We helped at one of the events in Overseas Singapore Club, and I went on a trip to Brighton beach and Mount Cargill organised by Toroa International House.
The healthy yu sheng was prepared by Belinda (next to me) and I.
This picture is taken on top of Mount Cargill.
There’s so much that happens around here. Sometimes I feel very happy to be in New Zealand, pursuing my dreams. But there are also times when I miss my friends and family.
Anyway, I am coming back soon. See ya!