A friendly Kiwi welcome for Thomas

US mathematics student Thomas Hale chose to study in New Zealand to gain credits towards his first degree.

Thomas plans to gain a PhD and become a university lecturer. He gained a Generation Study Abroad Award scholarship and is studying at the University of Canterbury.

I come from a small university, so there’s a wider range of courses taught at the University of Canterbury. My classes here are also less formal and more conversational than at home,” says Thomas, who is from Texas.

“I haven’t met another student or a professor that I haven’t liked. Everyone here is so friendly and welcoming. From what I’ve seen, Americans and Kiwis get along really well.”

When he’s not studying, Thomas enjoys travelling. “I’m only in this country for a short time and I want to see as many sights and have as many experiences as I can,” he says.

“I’ve walked up the world’s steepest street in Dunedin and bungy jumped in Queenstown. I’ve also been to the top of the Sky Tower in Auckland and spent a week in the beautiful Cook Islands.”

Thomas Hale, USA, Bachelor of Science