Inside Student Blogs

Elena Rivera Auckland, Spring 2012

Originally from Rochester, NY, Elena Rivera is currently a junior at Hope College in Holland, MI. She is double majoring in Communications and International Studies with a minor in Spanish. She enjoys geeking out over pop culture, baking, singing loudly in the shower and having adventures. After living in Mexico for many years, visiting Costa Rica and hanging out in Canada, she is excited to get a chance to study in Auckland, NZ and explore the other side of the world.

Elena's Posts

• “In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities.”

  7/10/12 • (0)

  I’m home. It’s the same but different, just like me. Some more thoughts on crowded airports and bittersweet fairwells.

  Auckland, Home, Last post, lasting impressions, New Zealand, Post departure blog, Post-departure, Returning home, Returning to the U.S.

• E Noho Rā

  7/02/12 • (0)

  My last day in Auckland before heading back to New York. Museums, trees, photographs, and some sappy stuff…pretty much the usual.

  Auckland, Final Days, final thoughts, friendship, museum, New Zealand, Personal Reflection, Rugby, Univeristy

• “Home Is A Place That Will Never Be The Same”

  6/25/12 • (0)

  A penultimate post about the things I’ll miss, the things I’m learning, and pigeons.

  Auckland, Growth, Home, New Zealand, public transportation, Reflections, Returning home, Returning to the U.S., Study Abroad, Travel, Traveling

• Rotorua, My Heart’s Devotion

  6/12/12 • (0)

  A post about Nickelodeon slime green lakes, old people’s obsession with Winston Churchill, and some pies.

  art, Auckland, Maori, maori culture, museums, national parks, Nature, New Zealand, Photo Blogs, Rotorua, Study Abroad, Travel, Traveling, Weekend travel

• Who Are You?

  5/25/12 • (0)

  A bit on Maori culture in New Zealand, some personal growth and a line about loving waffles.

  Auckland, city university, classes, college, Culture, identity, Maori, maori culture, New Zealand, Study Abroad, Travel

• Compassion In The Face Of Tragedy

  5/15/12 • (0)

  Thoughts on love and loss abroad.

  Auckland, city university, Hiking, IES Event, New Zealand, Tramping

• “I’ve come to the opinion that home is where the heart is.”

  5/08/12 • (0)

  A bit about politics, Kiwi culture, awkwardly loud off-key singing, and the general excitement that comes with being in a homestay.

  Auckland, Blogs, Culture, food, Home, homestay, New Zealand, Photo Blogs, politics

• “What Happens In Raro, Stays In Raro”

  4/24/12 • (0)

  A look inside life in the Cook Islands, from husking coconuts to healing ailments to snorkeling with parrot fish.

  Auckland, class, Cultural Differences, Culture, food, IES Excursion, Island, New Zealand, Rarotonga, Traveling, vacation

• 

  There And Back Again (Part II)

  4/24/12 • (0)

  The grand finale of a ten-day south island adventure, full of penguins, dreams of hiking up mountains to touch the clouds, and some good ol’ fashioned nature-tinged reflection.

  adventure, Auckland, awesome, Blogs, Camping, Christchurch, classes, New Zealand, Photo Blogs, Traveling

• 

  There And Back Again (Part I)

  4/16/12 • (2)

  Highlights from part one of my trip to the south island, including campervan dance parties, icy glaciers and an incredible number of Beatles sing-alongs.

  adventure, Auckland, awesome, Camping, Christchurch, Long Travel, mountains, New Zealand, Queenstown, Road Trip, Travel, vacation

• The Sandwich Connection

  3/27/12 • (0)

  Some short stories about peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, hanging out way too long in coffee shops while playing poker, and friendships abroad.

  Auckland, food, friendship, New Zealand, Photo Blogs

• The Rhythm Of My Southbound Train

  3/20/12 • (0)

  Some nighttime reflections on windows, traveling, and the meaning of the word “home.”

  Auckland, city life, city university, Home, New Zealand, Photo Blogs, Travel

• Sleeping To Dream

  3/05/12 • (2)

  Some thoughts on classes in New Zealand, a deep desire to be a more informed global citizen, and some silly stress dreams.

  Auckland, Blogs, change, first day of classes, Maori, maori culture, New Zealand, Photo Blogs

• Kiwi-In-Training

  2/24/12 • (2)

  Volcanoes, blonde giants and Maori culture: the first week in Auckland.

  Auckland, Field Trips, Home, homestay, Maori, maori culture, New Zealand, Volcano

• Ready, Jetset, Go!

  1/30/12 • (2)

  Pre-departure excitement, some timely pop culture references and everything you ever wanted to know about New Zealand’s annual precipitation (no, really, I’m serious).

  Auckland, New Zealand, Pre-Departure