Study Abroad

Kaia Desai Fihn will be HECUA’s student blogger for the New Zealand program this spring semester. Kaia is a junior majoring in History and minoring in Race and Ethnic Studies at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. You can read Kaia’s previous post here. Our goodbyes at the marae were long, for we were not only […] Read More »

It was only a little over an hour to the marae. On our way out of Tongariro National Park, we stopped at Lake Rotopounamu. This lake is tapu (sacred) to Māori, as it’s a place where Māori women went to give birth. We stood in a circle with our new companions from Whitecliffe College (see […] Read More »

Kaia Desai Fihn will be HECUA’s student blogger for the New Zealand program this spring semester. Kaia is a junior majoring in History and minoring in Race and Ethnic Studies at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. You can read Kaia’s previous post here. Week 4: Mordor It was a long journey to our next destination—Tongariro […] Read More »

So yes, my chapter of rolling hills, walking Strand Road, talking and working with extraordinary ordinary people of all ages and backgrounds, watching Netflix in bed with my flatmates while eating Zora’s Takeout, visiting the sea, castles, and historic spaces, reading Jonathan Swift on the train, enjoying a quality Guinness, and really looking in on myself and my country from a different perspective is coming to an end. Read More »

Photo credit: Jack Buettner. We’re lucky enough to have three student bloggers from the Community Internships in Latin America program in Ecuador this semester. You’ll have the chance to hear from all three over the next few months! This week, Maya Swope, a Macalester College student majoring in Environmental Studies and Geography returns to the blog. You […] Read More »

We’re lucky enough to have three student bloggers from the Community Internships in Latin America program in Ecuador this semester. You’ll have the chance to hear from all three over the next few months! Last month we introduced you to Maya Swope, a Macalester College student majoring in Environmental Studies and Geography. You can read Maya’s […] Read More »

Phil also spoke with us about activism and community action in the Raglan region. He is an avid surfer and leader of KASM (Kiwis Against Seabed Mining). In order to not let activism burn out, Phil suggested more people need to surf. He then provided us with this opportunity! Read More »

Photo via Derry Blue Badge Guide.  This is the second post in a series of blogs from HECUA’s student correspondent in Northern Ireland: Molly Dubois. Molly is a senior at the University of Minnesota, pursuing an individualized degree in Youth Studies, Political Science, and Democracy and Social Change through the College of Continuing Education’s Intercollege Program. […] Read More »

I don’t know that I’ve been here long enough to really know who is better for the country, but I’ve seen the election through the eyes of my host parents, my professors, and coworkers-- all of whom provide a different take on the situation. Hearing all these different sides is both confusing and enlightening. As a foreigner, everyone is really willing to take time to explain the campaign to me from their point of view, which I love. Read More »

On our second day, we went down the gravel road to Wairarapa Forest School. This is an outdoor classroom created for children, integrating children back into the outdoors. Its focus is to let children be children--to teach them about bugs, soil, gardening, trees--things that children no longer truly learn about in today's society. We were welcomed in a traditional Māori way. Māori words were exchanged and we entered the circle and sang a Māori song. This classroom was so welcoming, I too felt like I reentered my childhood. While barefoot, we climbed trees, looked for bugs, and drank from the fresh spring with the children. Afterwards we explored the land. Read More »