Studying abroad is about more than traveling around the country going on crazy adventures, it’s also about getting to know your new hometown and finding those spots you can call ‘yours’. Getting to know Dunedin has been one of the highlights of my time in New Zealand. This is the place where I’ve gotten the chance to interact the most with local kiwi’s, as well as immerse myself into an everyday New Zealander’s lifestyle. With that said, here are my top 7 ways to get to know Dunedin, and many of these can be applied to other study abroad locations as well.
7. Souvenir Shopping
Like any town that attracts a decent number of tourists, Dunedin has plenty of souvenir shops spread throughout the downtown area. Taking the time to wander from shop to shop is a great way to explore the city, as well as find some great trinkets to bring back home to family and friends. My favorite shop that I discovered was called Outpost, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to get handmade souvenirs that are a little bit more unique.
6. Botanical Gardens
I’ve mentioned these gardens before as a beautiful place to explore when you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of student life and just take in the view. Not only do the gardens offer a fun array of plant life native to New Zealand, but the gardens are also home to many local events throughout the year, some more informal than others. If you find yourself studying abroad in Dunedin during the fall semester, find out when they host the night run through the gardens. It’s a great event where local police and students of the university get to interact in the ultimate game of chase. The goal? Make your way from one end of the gardens to the other in the dead of night without getting tagged by the police! And don’t worry, the police know they’re playing the game too.
5. Take the Scenic Route
Yes, Dunedin actually has a road called the scenic route, and it runs for a couple miles along the coast. It’s an amazing view of the jagged coastline of New Zealand, as well as a great view of the city. Take a car and a couple friends and drive the route to one of the many Dunedin’s many beaches and make a day of it.
4. Café Circuit
I think nearly every university student eventually finds a café that becomes their spot. Whether that be the spot where they go to study, to hang out with friends, or just to get away from loud roommates. Finding a favorite café abroad is a good way to make the place feel like home, as well as get to know the city. My personal favorite café is called Capers, and I have yet to be disappointed by their pancake of the month. A few other honorable mentions are The Good Earth Café that’s right across from campus, as well as Oaken. Unlike cafes on campus back home, many of these close quite early so if it’s a late-night study place you’re looking for, prepare to search elsewhere.
3. Attend the Red Cards
As a study abroad student, getting to know local students can be a little bit difficult. Housing ensures that the majority of the people you are surrounded by are other international students, and many times the classes taken abroad are 100 level classes filled with other study abroad students. Luckily, Otago students have a tradition called Red Cards. These are metaphorical cards, and each person in a flat has only one at their disposal. Pulling a red card means that someone wants to do something or hold some sort of event, and everyone in the flat is obligated to participate. Often times people pull red cards for themed parties, and usually it’s an open invitation. These events provide easy ways to interact and get to know local students.
2. BYO’s
Now this is something I had never heard of before I arrived in New Zealand. A BYO is an event where everyone brings a bottle of wine to a restaurant, and eats and hangs out until it’s finished. Most people choose to split a bottle between two people, and in my experience, that’s definitely the smarter way to go. BYO’s were great icebreaking events for my flat complex. Within the first week, I had attended two of these, and at the end of them I was able to find some great local restaurants, as well as get to know almost everyone in my complex. I’d highly recommend organizing these events within the first couple of weeks to get everyone socializing! And if you don’t want to drink, don’t sweat it, it’s still a good way to find some delicious food and meet new people.
1. Farmers Market
This is another event I’ve mentioned before, but it’s worth restating. Dunedin hosts a farmers market every Saturday in the old train station downtown. Here, locals sell fruits, veggies, fish, crepes, and basically anything else your heart could desire. The farmer’s market is always bustling, and it’s been my favorite way to interact with kiwis thus far. This is where you can find much of Dunedin’s local population on any given Saturday morning so it’s a very good way to immerse yourself in the local lifestyle. Take a friend and spend a few hours wandering between the stalls and cross off the healthy stuff from your grocery list.