I love New Zealand and everything in it, but I still miss some things that remind me of home. This week I thought I would share the top 5 things I miss from America the most.

1. Ketchup, Ranch, Hot Sauce: Ketchup here is called tomato sauce (pronounced toe-ma-toe) and it kind of tastes like a combination of barbeque and ketchup. Ranch is non-existent and most Kiwi’s don’t even know what it is if you ask them about it. Hot sauce here is known as “sweet chili” sauce and tastes like sauce you get from a Thai restaurant.
2. My Car: I never appreciated my car at home and now I have to walk everywhere. I have to carry my groceries home two miles to my flat. When I get back, I will never complain about having to take my groceries up a few flights of stairs haha!
3. McDonald’s: If anyone knows me, they know I love my McDonald’s apple pies. The apple pies here are not the same and they do not taste like the ones from America. McDonald’s is also outrageously expensive here. There is no dollar menu… the cheapest thing on the menu is $2.50!
4. My Wardrobe: I was only allowed to bring one checked bag, a carry on, and a personal item on the plane. I only have three pair of shoes and a limited wardrobe. I miss the luxury of having all my clothes with me!
5. Lectures: I didn’t think I would miss lectures from home but I do. I have one class with over 2,000 people in it. There is only one room with a lecturer in it and the rest of the lecture halls just live stream into the lecture. It’s very impersonal and does not keep you accountable to go to class. I miss my professor knowing my name and keeping me accountable to going to class!

Katie Byers '18 is a biology-chemistry major & business minor. A member of the women's basketball team, she plans to study abroad in New Zealand in February 2017, and her dream job is to work at an orthopedic hospital.