Cat's Kiwi Adventure

Cat Neville Start Date: Mar 22, 2018 - End Date: Jul 19, 2018
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Dunedin, New Zealand
  • Sabah, Malaysia

My Travel Story

by: Cat Neville Start Date: Mar 22, 2018 - End Date: Jul 19, 2018
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
You can help me...
1. Further enrich my education by taking classes not offered at Juniata College. I plan to complete some upper level biology course requirements as well as general education electives that are only offered at the University of Otago.
2. Continue my conservation efforts by volunteering with local organizations. Being in New Zealand would allow me to be able to explore an ecologically diverse and isolated region of the world, where I could hopefully see the world’s rarest penguins, glow-worms, and Royal Albatrosses. These opportunities are unique to New Zealand and will help to expand my qualifications as a biologist and conservationist.
3. Enhance my skills and abilities as a teacher by learning about a different educational systems and theories while studying abroad.  I am excited to experience different teaching methods and see how other countries view education. I am especially interested in how they have integrated Maori culture into the educational system.
4. Engage with the locals and become more appreciative of diversity. I hope to be able to learn conversational Maori and will live with a Kiwi student when I study at the University of Otago. As a future teacher, I know that inclusivity and cultural competence is key to a successful classroom and the education of each child. I hope that my time as a visitor in a new country will help me to better understand my students with different ability levels, but also students from diverse backgrounds. It was also allow me to make connections with students who do not have a similar background to me and learn more about everyday life in Dunedin.
  • Dunedin, New Zealand
  • Sabah, Malaysia

Updates

10

  • Kia Ora!

    Kia Ora!
    Kia ora māreikura (Hello esteemed friend),

    Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far! Your kind words and monetary donations have been a great help on this journey! My Fundraiser, Cat's Kiwi Adventure, ends in two days and and it has been an amazing adventure. I have absolutely loved the past month of traveling and fell in love with three new countries. I will never forget the memories and friendships I made in Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand.

    That being said, this is my final ask for help. If you have 10$ to spare to help me during these next four months, some kind words of support, our your own travel stories I look forward to hearing from you. Also, feel free to share my story far and wide through both this page and my new blog, The Traveling Cat.

    Tēnā koe, tēnā koe, tēnā koe! (Thank you, thank you, thank you!)

  • Reconnecting

    Reconnecting
    My time traveling has been one of the best times of my life. My trip to Borneo absolutely exceeded all of my expectations. I never imagined being able to see so many wild orangutans and pygmy elephants. Relaxing in a boat while watching elephants graze and play in the water will forever be etched in my mind. It was also amazing to help local organizations such as the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center and the Sun Bear Conservation Center. I also was able to safely release a baby Hawksbill Sea Turtle into the ocean (see picture). Being able to disconnect with my world and reconnect with the natural world was a very rewarding experience. I hope that my future holds more time connecting with nature and less time connecting with technology.

    My time is Sydney was less relaxing, but just as exciting. I started the day of my sleeping through my alarm and then forgetting my much needed rain jacket. Yet, in one day I managed to take a tour of the opera house, visit the Taronga Zoo, get up close to a koala, kangaroo, and emu, go to Manly beach, walk the Corso shops, and try kangaroo for dinner. It was a busy day, but I managed to check off so many things on my bucket list.

    Thank you! All of my supporters have been so instrumental in this amazing opportunity. I have gained so much and hope to grow even more as my journey continues. I hope you continue to follow along and donate if possible. Thank you again!