Bruno鈥檚 Experience Studying English in NZ

Originally from Paris, France, Bruno Goncalves, from Paris France, completed his studies as an engineer and had a goal to perfect his English skills. During his university studies, he completed several weeks of English courses in England, Malta and Ireland; coming to New Zealand was a way to experience another part of the world while continuing to improve his English. While here, Bruno spent eight weeks studying at 51反差黑料 schools in Auckland, Wellington, Napier, Queenstown and Christchurch.

With two extra weeks to enjoy travelling, we made the most of the opportunity for Bruno to take part in some of the best activities available in New Zealand.

Bruno鈥檚 trip highlights

When Bruno wasn鈥檛 studying, he was busy experiencing New Zealand. With his appreciation for adrenaline-pumping activities, Bruno was right at home here in New Zealand.

A visit to Abel Tasman National Park

Bruno particularly enjoyed his . Visiting at the beginning of April, he was blessed with good weather and clear skies 鈥� perfect conditions for watching seals play while he kayaked through crystal clear waters.

Hiking Milford Track

Bruno also had the opportunity to . After traveling by boat across Lake Te Anau, Bruno and friends hiked for 5 hours through the temperate rainforests of Fiordland National Park.

Come back soon, Bruno!

We had so much fun getting to know Bruno during his trip to New Zealand. We wish him the best of luck on his next adventure, which will no doubt involve speaking English while he continues to travel to other countries.

Emanuela鈥檚 Experience Studying English in NZ

Hailing from Rome, Emanuela recently completed a degree in Tourism and was able to combine her passion for travel and writing by blogging for us while she studied English in New Zealand. Emanuela鈥檚 thesis was on Lord Of The Rings, so travelling to New Zealand was a dream come true for her. 听Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Napier and Queenstown were Emanula鈥檚 study destinations.

You can read all of Emanuela鈥檚 blog posts .

Studying in Auckland and a visit to Hobbiton Village

Emanuela started with a and one of her first activities was a visit to the Waikato for a tour of Hobbiton Village. Like anyone who has been delighted by J.R.R. Tolkein鈥檚 writing, a visit to Hobbiton was an absolute dream come true for Emanuela. She shared some to the set, where she was able to experience what it would be like to be a hobbit!

Emanuela bungy jumps in Taupo

You can鈥檛 leave New Zealand without challenging yourself to a few adventure activities. Emanuela chose to go bungy jumping in Taupo. We were so happy that she shared a video of her very brave dive through the sky!

Making friends in Queenstown

Another highlight for Emanuela was the time she spent studying English in Queenstown. Arriving just in time to see the leaves changing colours, Emanuela was delighted to discover that there is so much to do in a town that is only 鈥渉alf a mile long鈥�. In addition to , Emanuela loved meeting friendly locals and visitors from all over the world during her stay in Queenstown.

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Photos

All photos by were taken and shared on Facebook by Emanuela Plaja and Bruno Goncalves.

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There are some must-eat foods that kiwis all know and love. These range from traditional M膩ori cuisine to savoury and sweet treats.

Traditional M膩ori foods come from the land and the sea. A 鈥楬膩ngi鈥� is a traditional meal shared among a wide group of family and friends. It consists of root vegetables such as potatoes and kumara as well as a variety of meats like chicken, pork or lamb, which are placed in baskets and lowered into a hole in the ground. The hole is filled with hot rocks, the baskets are covered and the earth is replaced. The H膩ngi is left to cook underground for several hours then dug up and served steaming hot.

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鈥楰aimoana鈥� or seafood is also common in New Zealand as we are surrounded by ocean. Popular seafoods include mussels, pipis, tuatua, bluff oysters, kina, paua and if you venture up river 鈥榃hitebait鈥� is considered a delicacy often made into 鈥榃hitebait Fritters鈥�.

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A classic kiwi meal is 鈥楩ish 鈥榥鈥� Chips鈥� where fresh fish is deep-fried in batter accompanied with hot fries and served wrapped in newspaper. Fish 鈥榥鈥� Chip shops are scattered around the country and if you鈥檙e not sure which shop makes the best, ask the locals. Fish 鈥榥鈥� Chips are often taken to the beach to eat together or to a picnic bench with a nice view, and are great with the addition of tomato sauce or vinegar.

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Another communal form of eating is what New Zealanders call a 鈥楽ausage Sizzle鈥�. Sausages are cooked on the barbeque, placed in a slice of bread and drenched in your choice of tomato sauce, mustard or onions. Sausage Sizzles are commonly used for school fundraisers or charity events, each sausage in bread costing about one or two dollars.

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Other savoury favourites include sausage rolls, which is sausage meat wrapped in pastry, and the traditional hot meat mince pie. These are always fully stocked at the local 鈥榙airy鈥� (a small local food store), and are a common and tasty choice among kiwis.

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New Zealand also has a delicious range of sweets and desserts. 鈥榃hittakers鈥� is the country鈥檚 favourite chocolate manufacturer, blocks of this yummy chocolate can be found in any supermarket across the country. One of our most popular sweets or 鈥榣ollies鈥� are Pineapple Lumps. These are pineapple flavoured chews coated in chocolate. Because of their popularity and recognition in New Zealand, packets are often sent away as gifts to Kiwis living overseas. 鈥楯etplanes鈥�, 鈥楬okey Pokey鈥� and 鈥楥hocolate Fish鈥� are other popular confectionaries.

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However, our number one traditional dessert is the 鈥楶avlova鈥�. There is competition over the founder of this cream-coated meringue topped with fruits, Australia often laying claim to its invention. But as far as kiwis are concerned Pavlova is a New Zealand creation, normally shared on special occasions such as Christmas.

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Food is a favourite for kiwis; social occasions are always filled with foods and many hosts may ask you to 鈥榖ring a plate鈥�. This means to bring a plate full of food to share. It is often customary to bring food or wine if you are being hosted. For an alcohol free option 鈥楲&P鈥� is a lemon flavoured soda with a twist and is also a favourite beverage.

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No matter where you go in New Zealand there are plenty of traditional and tasty foods to try and to be shared.

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Photos:

by Sarah Stewart,

by Jennifer Brown,

by ccyhan,

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