May 16: Waikato

And we were OFF.
See ya Auckland. It’s been real. I learned a lot… and I liked your hostel. But it’s time to move on. Next stop…
WAIKATO.

In my eyes, this institution was COMPLETELY different from University of Auckland. I’m writing this a few days later… after visiting 4 institutions… and this is still a lot of people’s favorite institution.

I definitely think that some of the professional staff that work there (especially in disability services) where ABSOLUTELY inspiring. Talk about idol material. Yep. I think I met her.

Waikato is smaller institution that just didn’t seem to throw themselves out there as much as Auckland.

What do I mean by that? Good question.

I just felt like everyone we spoke with was genuine and authentic. It wasn’t about selling the institution… the people sold it themselves. 

Going back to what I talked about with Auckland… and trying to figure out WHY certain institutions get so much credit… it’s smaller institutions like THIS that are really missing out(or maybe it's the STUDENTS that are missing out.... AM I RIGHT?).

Many of the services that are offered at Waikato are very similar to the other institutions in New Zealand (and the U.S.).

Counseling services were free like many other institutions which I was happy to see.  Whether or not Counseling Services are offered is ALWAYS something that I want to know... mostly because I'm super bitter that Owens Community College offers absolutely NOTHING. 

Our host explained that the institutions that make students pay for Counseling Services do this because it decreases no shows. ABSOLUTELY (snaps to that). My “no show” pile at work is VERY similar to that of my appointment that actually show up. Many students are repeat offenders. I definitely don’t think that Owens should charge for Academic Advising but I DO think that there needs to be policies in place that stop students from NOT showing up… Make them pay for NOT showing up? I know hairdressers do that… why not advisors (obviously very similar)? There are so many students that have taken not only MY time, but other students' time… I could have students that would actually USE and NEED that time

Other random facts:
-Waikato is the only institution to have a citizens advice bureau.

-Another interesting fact that she shared with us is that… as we often hear… living in a residence hall contributes to academic success. Well… this isn’t necessarily true. At Waikato changes needed to be made so that this statement is true. This was a bit jostling… it was like I was walking down the street. Totally believing one thing… and being smacked in the face with a reality check. Have a residence hall does not automatically equate with academic success, being intentional abut what you're doing does.  It's not something that is SURPRISING per se, but it's just something to make you really THINK about your actions and implementations.

Throughout this trip I’ve been reading the book Sophie’s World and it talked about not losing your “faculty of wonder” and not let things become a “habit” This is a prime example of what they mine. Don’t let what you BELIVE to be true… guide you wholly and completely. Always question what you’re doing… check yourself before your wreck yourself.

-Waikato also had a STRONG emphasis on biculturalism and makes sure to be intentional about taking the Maori into consideration. After our first meeting and morning “tea”… which is definitely a lot of snacks…. I met with one of the most inspiring professionals in student services thus far.

 

 -I LOVEEEEE that they had these "table tents" (or whatever you want to call them) on the tables in the dinning hall/facility.  It talked about bored eating/stressed eating etc etc.  It was basically the whole "eat to live don't live to eat"-philosophy.  It struck home with me largely in part of the fact that I helped work on a study that talked about bored eating.  Did you know that "bored eating" is a new construct that has rarely been studied on its own (it's usually chunked in with "emotional eating"... um no?)?.  I know surprising... BECAUSE it doesn't seem "new" to me.  I just think it's great that this was something that was so obvious and talked about.  I think it's a huge issue that's often overlooked (and they placement on the dining tables... what a great idea)


Remember when I said I met my idol?  Her name was Debra Tanfield.

Not only did she have an awesome senese of style and and awesome pair of blue glasses, she knew her shit. There wasn’t a moment that went by that I wasn’t either nodding my head, or having tears well up in my eyes. This woman is intelligent, compassionate, and just awe-inspiring. One thing she emphasized that was important to know is that when students come in to their institution with a disability, there are some things that are the responsibility of the government and the other may be the responsibility of the student. Part of the orientation process for a student with a disability must be done on their own. For example, Waikato does not offer a seeing eye dog because this is something that students should already be provided with by the government. More-so, she made sure to note that the student isn’t going to be completely nullified from their disability either

The world isn’t going to operate in a way that makes the individual with a disability live in a world as if they didn’t havea disability… they student must learn to work in a world WITH their disability.

I loved when Debra said: 

“If you don’t like students… don’t bother working here”

“You have schizophrenia? I’m great with it…l what can I do to help you”

Debra explained that she loves having challenges. She showed a genuine love for working with and helping students. The more complex the disability the better because she knows how much the student has had to deal with and she is excited to make it better and help them in any way possible.

Waikato was refreshing. I feel like they lived their mission and what they DID spoke for itself. They didn’t need to TELL me WHY to come to Waikato… I just wanted to go because of the space and atmosphwere.

After Waikato we headed to Syndicate a Stone grill. Have you ever been to a stone grill? YOU SHOULD. It’s crazy. They bring out your meet on a sizzling tray UNCOOKED… and you cook it yourself. The freshest way to get it. I got the chicken so I was ALL SORTS of stressed out and worried I wouldn’t cook it enough… hence why I burnt some of it.  But, it was SUPER tastey.

Then… Bed.