After our experience at a Māori marae on our first day in New Zealand, it was off to Oamaru, a charming town on the west coast of the South Island, with surrounding farm lands. This is where we split off and spent 4 days with our homestay families, many of whom have children at the local high school. Here are some reflections from the group on our experience.

Oliver C: My favorite part of the homestay was the rugby game. Going down to the front row was exhilarating. I also liked the other kids from the homestay families. Another fun thing was biking because the scenery was so great.

Cole G: My favorite part of the homestay family was getting to know my homestay family. Also my homestay brother made me feel really at home and taught me how to drive a manual car on his farm.

Jack: During the homestay period I had the pleasure of having three amazing and energetic young kids for me and Claire to play with and entertain. On almost all of the activities we did as a Putney group at least one of the kids came along with us. I loved watching them have fun with not only us but the group as a whole.

Sadie: During my homestay I really enjoyed learning about the differences betwen their lifestyle and mine. I also loved trying all the different foods and candies that we do not have in the U.S.

Charlie: I enjoyed learning about the educational differences between New Zealand and the U.S. during my homestay. I also was lucky enough to live on the farm where The Chronicles of Narnia were filmed and so it was very interesting to go see the set after watching the film.

Oliver F: Having lived my whole life in New York City, four days on a sheep farm was a nice change of pace. I most enjoyed feeding the sheep, working alongside the family´s sheep dogs.

Laila: A wonderful memory from the homestay experience would be baking and cooking with my ¨sister¨ and Ana: I loved getting to know and bond with her. Additionally, waking up every morning to see fields of sheep and snowy mountains was beautiful and such a change of scenery from my native New York City.

Izzy: Throughout the four-day homestay, I enjoyed experiencing new cultural aspects of my ¨family´s¨ life, including milking cows and waking up before the sun to watch the process unfold. I also liked the experience of visiting a nearby family to watch sheep be shaved and herded on their farm.

Spencer: During the homestay I enjoyed helping my homestay family with their sheep on their farm. Learning about the farm life was very fun and interactive.

Claire: During the homestay, my family of five and I enjoyed extended periods of game time and explorations in town and nearby villages. I felt lucky to see the three little kids in their own environment as well as stepping out of their comfort zone and joining our group on bike rides, the rugby game, bowling, or walks on the beach.

Ana: I really enjoyed my homestay experience overall, but there were certain moments that I will never forget. These include a late night car ride in search for blue penguins, getting the chance to shear sheep at another farm, and a bike ride where I got the opportunity to appreciate the beautiful, unique landscape of the outskirts of Oamaru.