Misinterpreting “Know the Climate of Your Host Country”
How I Misinterpreted the Phrase “Know the Climate of Your Host Country”
What I did (or didn’t do) before I went abroad

What I learned while abroad
Studying abroad offered me many important opportunities that I would have never had otherwise; particularly in regard to my sexuality. Living in another country, without having parents a hop, skip, and a jump away allowed me to experience life as myself, without the influence of family hanging over my head. I grew into myself while abroad, and the confidence I gained there has been something that has continued throughout my time back in the states. While I was abroad, I had the opportunity to learn quite a lot about New Zealand. I learned about everything from the importance they place on protecting the biodiversity of the New Zealand to their heavy focus on protecting the social-diversity of the country, and from these lessons, I grew to appreciate the focus on acceptance that is abundant throughout Auckland. Though there is a large focus on acceptance, and while I did not experience any outward shows of hostility, I did have a few uncomfortable experiences in regard to my sexuality, mostly in regard to the way in which I dress and carry myself. Since all of these experiences were brief and between myself and a stranger, I was able to shrug it off and continue with my day. However, I wish that I had been more aware that these types of experiences, while not common, can occur with enough frequency that I ought to be prepared for them. If I had done my research on the climate of New Zealand, I would have been able to mentally prepare myself for these experiences, so that the first time I encountered it, I would not have been so shaken initially, and would have been able to shake it off easier.Reflecting on my time abroad

- https://www.diversityabroad.com/guides/diversity-and-inclusion-abroad-guide/lgbtq-students-abroad
- https://www.diversityabroad.com/destinations
- https://www.ilga.org/