Manawatu’s charms entice overseas pupil
‘‘A lot of people say I have seen more of their own country than they have.’’ Alexandra Rom
As Alexandra Rom’s year-long exchange with Feilding High School draws to a close, she reminisces over some of Manawatu’s finer qualities.
Her favourite parts are often the little things we take for granted farming, green grass, small towns and mountains.
The 16-year-old Austrian student will return to her small Germanspeaking village with a population of about 15,000 on Sunday, although she will leave with the feeling that Feilding will always be her home away from home.
Rom roomed with three different families during her stay, which has included stints in Feilding and near Colyton.
It was in rural Manawatu that she developed her love of the outdoors.
‘‘All my friends ask me if I was disappointed when I got to Feilding because it’s so small, but for me it was perfect,’’ she said.
She didn’t know a lot about farming and agriculture before moving to New Zealand, but has grown to appreciate the open landscape.
During the year she had travelled the distance of the country - visiting beaches in the far north as well as a three week tour of the South Island.
It was all organised by Feilding Rotary, which runs the exchange.
‘‘A lot of people say I have seen more of their own country than they have.
‘‘I did a lot of crazy things like skydiving, bungy jumping, stingray feeding.’’
Interestingly, one of the things she found unique was the shape and positioning of houses.
In New Zealand, farmers tended to build homes along country roads, at times kilometres apart. In Austria, small settlements are situated with about 15-20 homes and no isolated structures exist, perhaps due to the country’s modest land space.
She had also only ever lived in two-storey homes in Austria, whereas in New Zealand most houses were single storey.
Climatising to Manawatu weather was also a battle for Rom.
She left Austria at the peak of its summer and arrived in the heart of New Zealand’s winter.
‘‘It was just so cold in the houses,’’ she said.
‘‘But, still, if I had to pick one country [to visit again] I would know which one. I absolutely fell in love with New Zealand and I hate that I have to go back home and leave all of this behind.’’
‘‘I have gained so much confidence and independence. New Zealand will always be an unforgettable part of my life and stay in my heart forever.’’
Rom headed back to Austria last week.