LIM Student Travel Spotlight

“Pictured is Ria appreciating seasonal lupin flowers during a hike in Aoraki/Mount Cook on New Zealand's South Island”

Name: Ria Vij

Class Year: 2027

Majors: Biology and Psychology

Mini-Term Aboard: New Zealand (December 2024)

Why did you choose New Zealand?

At first, I was interested in the content on environmental engineering and renewables, as I had gotten involved in green chemistry research over the summer at Union College. The topic of study was completely unrelated to medicine, but it shows how much you can explore other interests at Union for an interdisciplinary education and learn outside of your original comfort zone. The Māori culture in New Zealand was beautiful, as were various sights from volcanoes to glaciers.

What was your favorite memory from your travel experience?

My favorite memory was making sand castles (and sand Nott Memorials!) on the black-sand Piha Beach with newfound friends.

How did the travel experience shape your perspective (academically, professionally, culturally)?

Academically, I was able to learn to learn about history, policy, and even new technologies in New Zealand. We heard firsthand from cow farmers on the methane taxes they paid for their livestock at the time, and ate meals in Māori villages to learn about the thermal pools and methods of cooking. It was a very immersive experience with each hike revealing geological facts, and even a quick grocery store trip revealed different types of food regulations on certain dyes and preservatives.

After returning to Union, I was able to build on my travels and wrote a research paper in my "HC633 Health Care Leadership" class on how medicine and the environment intertwine. Socially, I was able to meet friends from different years and majors that I am still close with now. I attended some of their graduations last year, and we make sure to meet a few times a term for birthdays and to catch up. Professionally, it was also a great exposure to a deeper understanding of different fields and meet students at international universities.

Culturally, I learned about the emphasis on community in taking care of the land. One word that stood out to me was “Whenua,” which meant both placenta and land. This emphasized how much the native Māori people associated the land with sustenance and close ties that were almost blood-like, similar to one would have with their mother.

What was the most challenging part of your trip?

For me, it was my first trip alone, and I didn't know anyone at the start. However, our group of 30 became close quickly, and we coordinated tasks like cooking and cleaning to efficiently travel to locations every 2-3 days to explore major cities and landmarks across the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

What advice do you have for a student considering this travel opportunity?

Go for it and bring hiking boots! :) You will love every moment. As a sign in one of the Haka Houses we lodged in said, "The world is your oyster."