Columns

A Broad View is written by different international students each
week who wish to share their impressions of their time here or
unique experiences. Email critic@critic.co.nz if you are an international student wanting to tell your tale.

Well, first things first. What immediately struck me (besides the gorgeous views, herds of sheep and astronomical liquor prices) was the presence of bare feet. Everywhere. But the simple fashion choice of to-shoe-or-not-to-shoe doesn’t even begin to cover the general culture and atmosphere that encompasses Dunedin. And that’s something else I’ve already discovered about this place: there is no “general” culture. Everything has its own aura and everyone their own story.

Compared to life back home in the States, people here seem to move slower and time seems less important. What I understand thus far is that the people who find themselves in this city are just here for a good time — to attend class (maybe), but more so to enjoy life. They’re here to explore the scenery and to get to know one another on a deeper level than the typical US-driven conversation of, “What’re you studying? What fraternity/sorority are you in?”

In Dunedin, what’s important is who you are and what you bring to the table, and that in itself is amazing. It’s a place where two strangers stumble upon each other at the Saturday Farmers’ Market, discover a common love of bacon butties and soon become fast friends.

Maybe it’s tramping to the top of Signal Hill, watching a beautiful sunset together and seeing just how out-of-shape one another is that causes this camaraderie, but I think there is something more to it. Whatever that “something” is, I’m still trying to find out.

In the few short weeks I’ve been here, I’ve been to a chaotic-as-it-gets tramping meeting, met some of the most amazing people, both local and foreign, and been met with some beautiful scenes I thought I’d only find in guidebooks. Dunedin already holds a special place in my heart, and I cannot wait to see what the remainder of this crazy adventure has in store.