Cole Harrison

What is your hometown?

Granite Bay, California

What is your major(s)/minor(s)?

Business in Administration with a focus in Marketing

At this point in your life, what is important/meaningful to you?

I believe living my life to the greatest potential I can is very important for me at this time. With that in mind, traveling the world, meeting new people, and exploring different interests can provide some success to my future goals.

What most intrigues and excites you about the Aotearoa/New Zealand study abroad?

What excites me the most about going on the New Zealand study abroad is that I will be traveling across the world to a beautiful atmosphere and exploring the culture of Māori people, as well as creating my own project on how I view the island. Plus, I get to travel with some close friends and create more close connections.

What is the most meaningful idea you’ve discovered or learned about Aotearoa/New Zealand so far?

The most meaningful idea I’ve learned about Aotearoa is the Māori culture. It’s deeply meaningful to me because it embodies values of respect, interconnectedness, and resilience, which are central to the identity of Māori people and contribute to the diversity of New Zealand’s cultural landscape. I love learning about it and I can’t wait to experience it firsthand.

For me, the Aotearoa/New Zealand abroad is an opportunity to … experience/understand different cultures, explore breathtaking landscapes, boost personal development, and build lifelong connections.