I dont have too much to write this week, i am in major transition mode, and also a little homeless as i go 'flat-hunting'. I went to my University's orientation on thursday and began, slowly, to get a feel for the place. Its huge and overwhelming mainly....but there are a million clubs and organizations etc. being thrust in your face (image the library quad club fair times 4).
Its feeling a bit like it will take me some time to get familiar enough with the place to look for work, projects...I have already started to email some local farms but i also know that i want to work within the city. I start classes on monday, all about the colonial period, Maori ( the indigenous population in New Zealand ) history, weaving arts, and literature. What i am really aiming for is to get connected to something through these classes, or through my fellow students. This city is already proving to be quite an experience, so different from New York or other cities i am used to but HUGE non the less. It is so incredibly diverse, with European Kiwis, Maories, many Pacific islanders, (polynesian) and asian.
I have registered with the schools employment office, and am looking around the websites for interesting opportunities but generally just in transition! i cant push it too much as i want my search to be organic, and evolve out of things i am already interested in instead of forcing it too much. On the other hand, I feel a bit helpless being this much of a foreigner at this point...
I will keep you posted on the process!
all my best,
Dani
Hi Dani! It must feel like you're writing into a void--actually we're all reading your wonderful blog but for some reason are having trouble posting comments. (I have opened gmail in another window in the hopes that this will enable my comment to be posted.) It is fascinating to have this window into your experience--to read your reflections about the dislocations inherent in working and studying abroad, and also your moments of recognizing patterns and situations that feel very familiar. Please keep writing! Last week we talked about how to keep you feeling connected to us and us feeling connected to you. I imagine it would be hard to skype given the time difference. What do you think about that?
ReplyDeleteOn another note, most of us visited Indian Island last weekend to meet with community leaders and to learn a little about the history, culture, language of the different groups with whom we'll be working later in the spring. We learned a little Wabanaki, ate moose meat, and heard about the challenge of living and thriving within the context of a dominant culture while at the same time preserving their own culture, language, and traditions. I wish you'd been there!