Hello everyone! My name is Esther, and I'm a senior at Loyola University Maryland, a small school in Baltimore, Maryland. I grew up in Frederick, Maryland, and I have three siblings, one brother and a young sister and brother.
When I was in the U.S, I loved making homemade ice cream, but in New Zealand, one of my favorite things to do is go hiking. New Zealand has some of the most amazing views and landscapes. Before studying here, I was not too fond of nature or the outdoors, but after going on a few hikes with some friends, I grew to love nature. Aside from its amazing views, I chose to study abroad here to learn more about its culture and history. Before I came here, I knew nothing about New Zealand because I never considered it nor is it popularly discussed in pop culture. I decided to educate and immerse myself in a culture I didn't know anything about. For those who, like me, before coming here, didn't know much about New Zealand, it is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean not far from Fiji and Australia. Rugby is its national sport and is home to the Māori people, who refer to New Zealand as Aotearoa. A fun fact about New Zealand is that the Lord of the Rings shot many scenes in this country. I'm excited for you all to join me as I explore the depths of this beautiful country!
Want to know more about how you can study or intern abroad when you are a college student? The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Learn more about the scholarship by clicking here!
