New Experiences in New Zealand

While some countries are dramatically different from our own, meaning we need time to adjust to their cultures and traditions, New Zealand is a place where familiar home comforts meet an interesting, unique heritage. This means that it is the perfect place to begin your gap-year, as it gently introduces you to new experiences, rather than shocking you with striking changes all at once. However, you may find that once you’ve spent time in New Zealand, you may not want to leave!

Although the New Zealand weather is always changing, it’s also generally pleasant – never too cold or too hot, and always providing plenty of fun things to do! The government is continually introducing measures to make the most of New Zealand’s natural climate and landscape, without destroying it.

June through August sees picture-perfect snow, meaning that skiing and snow-boarding are popular, and if you enter New Zealand with the right qualifications, there are plenty of opportunities to teach these alpine sports. On both the North and the South islands, there is significantly more rainfall on the east side rather than the west, although there are rarely problems such as flooding because of this.

On the other hand, November through April provides the perfect weather for hiking through some of New Zealand’s mountainous terrain, or even for trying your hand at the exciting sport of zorbing, so your gap-year will be completely action-packed! Not only is there much to do in New Zealand, but there is also much to learn, as New Zealand’s historic Maori culture is interesting and easily accessible.

There are plenty of museums and art galleries which display genuine Maori artifacts and modern replications, while there are also many energetic festivals, traditional tribal dances, and dynamic displays which keep the country’s historic traditions and culture alive. Very few countries can boast of respecting their roots in the way that New Zealand can, and surrounding yourself with a people so proud of their heritage is an interesting and inspiring way to spend your gap-year.

While New Zealand maintains its traditional ways of life, it is also very similar to countries such as America and Great Britain in many ways. There are an abundance of Italian, Spanish, Mexican and Chinese restaurants in towns and cities throughout the country, where New Zealand has welcomed and absorbed other cultures into its own.

There is also a great deal of national emphasis on sports, particularly Rugby - despite New Zealand’s loss in 2007 World Cup, the country’s passion for the sport has not died, due to its role as the host of the 2011 tournament. In short, New Zealand is home to a people passionate about their past, but equally as enthusiastic about their future, and, despite being immensely proud of their culture and heritage, they are also accepting of others, welcoming many different people from all over the world each year to join in their unique celebrations.

Can you think of a better place to spend your gap-year?