Traveling to New Zealand as part of the First-Year Seminar was a life-changing start to my college journey. I want to become a wildlife veterinarian, and this program strengthened my understanding of what conservation looks like in different parts of the world. In New Zealand, conservation is not only about protecting native species but also about removing invasive ones. The country originally had no land mammals besides three species of bats. When humans arrived, they brought rats, stoats, possums, dogs, cats, cattle, and numerous other animals, which dramatically altered the ecosystem. That history explains why so many of New Zealand’s birds are flightless or burrow for safety, because their only natural predators were once large birds, such as the Moa or Haast’s eagle.

It was eye-opening to see traps set up across the landscape to protect native birds. Every night, around 68,000 native birds are killed by introduced mammalian predators, adding up to about 25 million each year. Coming from the United States, where cats are beloved household pets, it was a cultural shock to see them viewed as threats in conservation efforts. At first, it was difficult to process, but I came to understand the perspective. If New Zealand loses its endemic bird species, they are gone forever.

Academically, this program showed me how the concept of island studies applies far beyond geography. It shaped the way I think about biodiversity, conservation, and cultural values. Learning about the Māori people and how their worldview influences environmental practices gave me a new respect for the connections between culture and ecology. I was also surprised by how divided people are about New Zealand being known for The Lord of the Rings. Some see it as a way to draw tourism, while others worry it overshadows the true ecological and cultural richness of the country. Visiting Hobbiton, I noticed how constructed it felt and learned how much land had to be cleared for it, which raised questions about the gap between appearance and environmental responsibility.

It was also fascinating to hear local opinions about Peter Jackson, the director of The Lord of the Rings movies, and his interest in bringing back the Moa. Many people feel that resources should go toward saving the species that are already disappearing instead of reviving one extinct bird just to keep in a zoo. Others think it would simply be exciting to see a Moa again. As a group, we took every opportunity we could to ask locals what they thought, and it sparked some of the most memorable conversations of the program.

On a personal level, this program gave me confidence and community. I began my freshman year already knowing around twenty incredible people. We bonded over trying new things, hiking, and learning together in a way that a classroom could never capture. I was nervous about the academic side of the program, but the balance between lectures, exploring, and group activities made learning natural and exciting.

As a first-generation, biracial student from a low-income, single-parent household, I am extremely grateful for the scholarships that made this experience possible. Without that support, I would not have been able to see conservation and culture in action on the other side of the world. This program gave me a new perspective on conservation and reminded me that my goal of becoming a wildlife veterinarian is both worthwhile and achievable.

• Name: Madison Cole
• Status: First-year/freshman
• Majors: Zoology and Animal Science (LBC Pre-Vet Track)
• Hometown: Battle Creek, Michigan
• Program: FSA New Zealand - Track 2 - Infinite Islands