Teani DeFries
Teani is a Linguistics student from Darthmouth College, USA.
"There were many aspects that influenced my decision to study abroad at the University of Auckland. First and foremost, I was born and raised in Hawaiʻi and this study abroad program gave me the opportunity to travel across the Pacific and learn more about my whānau (extended family) out here in Aotearoa, which I knew little to nothing about prior to this program. This program allowed me to be able to learn in depth about the Māori culture through lectures, as well as through experiences with native Māori people on their land, which is once in a lifetime.
"Hawaiʻi is known as a "mixing pot" that has people from all sorts of backgrounds in one place and Auckland is very similar, which was quite surprising to me when I first came here. However, I have been able to see and interact with so many kinds of people, which has been great and allows me to learn about New Zealand cultures as a whole.
"Māori 103, Te Reo Māori, has been an amazing, enlightening course, and Māori 130, Te Ao Māori, has impacted me in so many different ways that I would have never imagined. These classes have impacted my studies greatly and have really allowed me to gain insight into the Māori worldview, which I will take back home with me and teach others any chance I get."
I think the combination of learning about Māori culture and language as well as being surrounded by Native Māori people with strong ties to those aspects of culture and more has made me realize how important it is for Native people to get educated and return to their homelands and make a difference in any way
possible. Therefore, I am even more certain that after I complete my studies, I
want to return home to Hawaiʻi and help uplift my people and make Hawaiʻi a
better place for Hawaiians for generations to come.
"This entire experience was something I would have never thought of doing, but I took the leap and went for it and it has been the best experience of my life. There have also been many experiences I have taken advantage of while being here that were certainly out of my comfort zone, but it has made all the difference. Also, a huge piece of advice, is to surround yourself with Native people whenever possible and engage with the culture in its natural form when you can. This is the best way to truly learn about a culture and the people who live in it day to day and it has taught me so much about things that you simply cannot learn in the classroom."