Here are some sources for information and some ideas about settling in, for newcomers to the Department of Management.
Here are some sources for information and some ideas about settling in, for newcomers to the Department of Management.
This place is disorienting for a native of the northern hemisphere. The sun is in the north. The cars are on the left. Light switches are "on" when they’re down. Even the wind blows clockwise around low-pressure regions. Christchurch’s streets are a labyrinth (so is the Commerce Building), though Europeans may find this perfectly fine. You will adjust; resistance is futile in such a beautiful place.
Best antidote for culture shock: See the place! NZ is beautiful in any direction. Buy or rent a car and go somewhere, anywhere.
If you are not accustomed to driving on the left, consider learning with a car that has automatic transmission. It is one less confusing thing to think about.
Car registrations and WOF (Warranty of Fitness) are two different things. Both regular renewals.
A small bag carried on the waist is called a "bum bag. " Do not call it a " fanny pack." Consult your Oxford English Dictionary on the word " fanny."
NZ-English to American-English dictionary.
Use the tourist information kiosk (now on the Worcester Street Bridge soon to be in Cathedral Square). They have information for all parts of the country, and can book events for you.
Get a bicycle.
The Ilam Gardens here in the University. World-class. Great anytime, but the fireworks are definitely in November.
The Botanic Gardens in Hagley Park. World-class, magnificent gardens.
Go for a canoe or gondola ride on the Avon. Take bleu cheese, crackers, and a split of wine.
The Arts Centre – see a movie, and then get coffee.
The Gondola. Take the bus there, have lunch in the restaurant at the top.
Sumner Beach, Cave Rock.
New Brighton beach. Try surfing (borrow a wet suit!).
Added 16 June 2008: Kanniga’s Restaurant. Thai cuisine. Get the Tom Kai Gah soup - amazing. Say hello to the lovely Kanniga; ask to see her poker trophies.
Pedro’s Restaurant. New Zealand/Spanish cuisine. Get the lamb or salmon.
Birdling’s Flat. Take a picnic to this dramatic beach.
Get fish & chips in Lyttelton.
Cathedral Square. Chase the pigeons and buy ice cream.
Summit Road and the Port Hills. Views to the Alps, walking, mountain biking, rock climbing, all right next to the city!
Skiing – Mount Hutt.
Richfield’s Classic Dark chocolate, Shiraz wine (actually Australian, but do it anyway), venison sausage, mussels. Update 16 June 2008: Ngatarawa botrytised dessert Riesling, Pegasus Bay Riesling, Marlborough or Hawkes Bay Savignon Blanc. Besides those whites, I've moved out of my Shiraz stage into Pinot Noir - more resveratrol, too.
Akaroa. Eat French food, go paragliding. Rent a little boat and cruise the harbour (look for dolphins).
Kaikoura. See whales, eat crayfish, buy greenstone.
Lake Tekapo. Sneak into the University of Canterbury’s observatory grounds at midnight; take chocolate. Check out the chocolate éclairs at the bakery in town. Eat sashimi at the salmon farm.
Mount Cook. Take the boat ride to the Tasman Glacier. Eat glacial ice – take whisky. Do the walks. Check out the stars at night.
Mount Hutt. Go skiing.
Hanmer Springs. Sit in the hot pools, dare yourself to go down the dark tunnel slide. Or walk the forests and contemplate weta beetles.
Arthur’s Pass.
Franz Josef & Fox glaciers. 8-hour drive, but well worth it.
Abel Tasman National Park. Luxurious beaches, native birds.
Nelson, Marlborough. Lots of art, vineyards. Eat mussels, scallops, sauvignon blanc.
Milford Sound. World class scenery. 10-hour drive or by scenic flight.
The Art of Crossing Cultures, Craig Storti, Intercultural Press, Inc., 1990. Well-done, erudite book about adjusting and getting along. In the Department Library.
Brit-think, Ameri-think, Jane Walmsley and Gary Jolliffe. Cartoon view of the differences between Americans and Britons. Generally very funny and generally accurate, though the stereotypes get wearing by the end. Toby Harfield has a copy.
Culture Shock! Successful Living Abroad, A Wife’s Guide, Robin Pascoe. Annoying American journalist complains about life abroad. Some good practical tips; maybe you will identify with it more than I did. In the Department Library.
Breaking through Culture Shock, Elisabeth Marx. German psychologist interviews CEOs about managing international careers. In the Department Library.
Inventing New Zealand: everyday myths of Pakeha identity, Claudia Bell. Toby Harfield has a copy. Also in the University library.
Godzone, Andrew & Emma McDougall. Doing kiwi. Encyclopaedic. Toby Harfield has a copy. Also in the University library.
The New Zealand Pocket Oxford Dictionary, by Robert W. Burchfield. Talking kiwi. In the University library.
Road Code, Road Transport Division, Ministry of Transport. Driving kiwi. In the University library.
Best Walks of the South Island. Walking (better to say "tramping") kiwi.
The Happy Isles of Oceania: Paddling the Pacific, Paul Theroux, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, New York, 1992. The first two chapters are about New Zealand. Miserable but perceptive writer hates Christchurch, loves Fiordland. In the University library.
The Immigration Service's packet is helpful. The University's standard packet is helpful. These give some of the basics of adjusting.
30 Jan 2001, jfr