New Zealand
New Zealand
My time spent in New Zealand through this study abroad program has been an eye-opening and enriching experience. This opportunity has not only allowed me to capture the beauty of this country through photography, but it has also provided me with a deeper understanding of its unique culture. From the unique landscapes to the bustling urban cityscapes, this country has so much more to offer than many realize. The contrast between reality and my preconceived notions immediately captivated me. Having been born and brought up in the United States, I was deeply aware of my status as an outsider and the obligation that came along with documenting a culture that was separate from my own. I was unwavering in my commitment to approach my work with appropriate attention and sensitivity, with the goal of capturing real moments that reflected the genuine character of New Zealand. This meant having to educate myself and hold myself to a certain standard of attention and sensitivity. By allowing myself to become immersed in the culture, it pushed me to connect with the subjects of my photographs on a different level.
“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard?” Throughout this trip, I’ve had this line echoing in my mind. It’s such a beautiful thing to have an experience that, in the moment, you know is going to have a lasting effect on you. Even in the mundane moments, I had to pause and reflect on how fortunate I am to be a part of something so transformative. No matter how hard some days were, all I could feel was blessed to even have the opportunity to be around such hardworking, like-minded individuals, which pushed me to want to learn and become better. Being able to take this experience and allow it to shape not only my workflow but also me as a person is a motivating feeling and something I do not take lightly. It is not every day that you get to be part of such an immersive experience. It is one thing to learn about these topics and hear about them while sitting behind a desk, but being able to immerse myself in these topics and see them firsthand in front of me has given me a different level of understanding that I will carry with me for a lifetime.