As our adventure through New Zealand comes to a close, I can’t help but to recall all the things we have been through as a group. I have acquired so much knowledge while on this trip as well, all of which can be condense into a single subject: how human impact has altered the landscapes and ecosystems of New Zealand. This first came about when Polynesian people, carried by eight great canoes, landed on the shores. What they saw was a land untouched and pure. In this untamed jungle, many creatures (some now extinct) could be seen roaming the terrain or gracing the air. An example would be the giant moa, a flightless bird that would have dwarfed the ostrich. But with the settlement of these early humans, many animals, like the moa, were driven to extinction. These people brought with them many mammals not known to the land, and these new species devastated the defenseless native ones. This first group of settlers became known as the Maori people. Another wave of settlers came from Europe in the 14th century. Again, when they landed, they brought with them livestock, disease, and a dream of a land untapped. These new settlers ravaged the landscape in search of timber, the likes of which could be found nowhere else in the world. The iconic kaori tree was almost logged to extinction. Luckily, in the late 1800s, the people of New Zealand began to see the errors of their ancestors. Conservation efforts started to take hold, and many began to develop sanctuaries for native species of plants and animals. These nature reserves were constructed with the hopes of preserving and reestablishing some of the species that were endangered, such as the kiwi bird and rimu tree. It is the hope of many kiwis (people of New Zealand) that their restoration efforts will be successful.
Sean Caudle


We all said our first of many “goodbyes” this morning. Our bus driver, Peter, was heading back to Hamilton leaving us less than content with our quickly approaching departure. It was rushed and uncomfortable but I think it made us realize the importance of every single person on this trip. Of course, we all scoped out the people we wanted to associate with and those we wanted to avoid within the first few days; and even the people we liked rode on our nerves at times. But at the end of the day the trip would not have been the same had any one individual not been there. It is weird to think that what we’ve experienced will never be again. Never will all of us be able to travel together again and create the atmosphere that was our trip to New Zealand.
Tomorrow, half of us will embark on the long journey home and the other half will continue their adventure down in the South Island. While the landscape has been breathtakingly beautiful, it will be nice to return to sunshine and warmer weather, the good ol’ Natural State. We might not think we’ve been changed by this experience but I’m sure our friends at home will think otherwise. This “experiential learning” is something that is hard to quantify and measure. What did we learn? Well besides the mountains of Maori history and culture (pun intended…) and insights into Food Research, we’ve learned the value of community and participation. Every person plays a specific role, whether seemingly significant or not, that contributes to the overall well-being of the group. One thing I can say about our group is that we have good synergy. We are willing to make personal sacrifices for the good of the whole. Perhaps most notably seen in our bungee jumping excursion; since so many of us were willing to pay for a thrill, we received a free jump (thanks to JD!). Our enthusiasm and participation in all the activities on this trip has enhanced our appreciation for community.
We will bring this community back to Arkansas and share our experiences with others so that they too may appreciate what we’ve learned. Besides all the souvenirs and memories, we will bring back with us 31 friends (32 including Peter) who embarked on one of the most valuable experiences of our lives.
Jenny England