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Where better for a rugby-playing college student to pursue a study abroad program than New Zealand? Emily Smith ’08 (West Sayville, N.Y.) recently spent a semester there studying anthropology, sociology, and biology.
“I figured New Zealand would still have some similarities to home, but would be different enough to give me an amazing abroad experience,” says Smith, who is pursuing a B.S. biology and A.B. with a major in anthropology and sociology.
Located in the south-western Pacific Ocean, New Zealand comprises two large islands and numerous smaller ones; it is home to about 4.1 million people. The experience taught Smith how cultural differences influence life in other parts of the world.
She especially enjoyed the different classroom experience. Smith’s course load included an anthropology course on ethnography, the genre of writing that presents varying degrees of qualitative and quantitative descriptions of human social phenomena.
“Studying abroad allowed me to take life from a different perspective,” she says. “Even as an anthropology and sociology major, there are things that I take for granted, assumptions that professors make with me. Being critiqued by professors from New Zealand was interesting because they highlighted differences in my writing that I wouldn’t have even thought of before.”
Smith also learned a lot from observing people as she traveled.
“New Zealanders are really laid back,” she says. “I lived in a city, and it was nothing like cities here; people took their time, chatted with strangers, and never stressed about the little things.”
Smith recommends Lafayette’s study abroad program to any student seeking a unique learning experience.
“I would definitely recommend studying abroad at Lafayette,” says Smith. “I think it’s a nice change and provides an incredible experience that you can’t really get anywhere else.”
Smith plans to attend medical school after graduation. She is a member of Women’s Rugby Club and Clarinet Ensemble. She also volunteers for Habitat for Humanity through the Landis Community Outreach Center.