Recently by Wout Gijsbers

 As the weather hasn't been sufficiently accommodating to allow me to go on full-weekend trips I've been forced to resort to day trips instead.

Fortunately, I am lucky enough to have a long list of alternative plans to draw upon, one of which being a visit to the majestic Wairere Falls.

Last week, so I've been told, marked the official beginning of Spring. I'm not really an expert on seasons, but I grew more and more convinced that Spring had come as last week progressed. Studying and playing the guitar out on the deck (or porch, as some would call it) of my Orchard Park cottage started to become near-habitual. However, with these first Spring days came a longing; a longing for the ocean.

Studying at the University of Waikato includes being the spectator of a wonderful phenomenon called the mid-semester break; a phenomenon I didn't know existed until a couple of weeks ago. Essentially introduced to allow for some breathing room and time to study, it is a two-week break that I employed to go on what turned out to be an epic trip. 

This weekend contained yet another unique experience, possibly more intense in many ways than all of my previous adventures so far.

From last Friday around 4pm until Saturday 3pm, I spent my time in and around 'te Mapahi o te Rangi', the Wharenue at the 'Papa a te Aroha Marae' in Tokoroa; admittedly a bit of a mouthful.

 Another weekend, another adventure; a rhythm I gladly keep up.

This weekend's adventure (despite the fact that it was not particularly adventurous per se) was something I've been looking forward to for a long time: attending an All Blacks game.

  At the beginning of last week, I had no clue what I would do during the following weekend. I did want to do something because I feel that, during the small amount of time that I am in this country, I want to see and experience as much as possible.

Kia ora,

So, this is it: my first post as an international student at Waikato University. Over the course of this semester, I will (try to) provide you with regular updates of my activities and adventures.

But first allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Wout Gijsbers. I am a 22-year old Master's student from Maastricht University in the Netherlands. As part of my Master's programme, I am spending a semester at the Waikato Management School (Te Raupapa in Mãori), where I'm taking two courses (or papers as they refer to them here): one on leadership and communication, and another one on the role of PR in sustainability issues. 
Apart from studying, I like to spend my time on sports (particularly running and snowboarding), playing the guitar and exploring all that a country has to offer. 

In this blog, the focus will obviously lie on the former and the latter. 

If you would like more information, feel free to send me an email at wout.waikato@gmail.com. I will try to provide you with a personal response as soon as possible or respond via a blog post.

Regards,

Wout