What I Wish I Had Known About Kiwi Culture -- Mashiro Yamashita

 It has been a month since I came to NZ. There is something about kiwi culture that I wish had known before I came here.

 First, the wind is too strong and people often don't put on an umbrella. These days, it is rain and wind a lot. I want to put up an umbrella, because I don’t want to wet. However, it is difficult to do it because of strong wind. In fact, my umbrella was broken down, so I bought new one. My friend bought, too. Kiwi don’t put up an umbrella. They wear clothes like raincoat. I should bring raincoat or waterproof clothing from Japan.

Second, this is not something I should have known before I came to New Zealand, but there is no public announcement on the bus. Fortunately, when I got on the bus in the first time, my host mother told me where to press the button. However, if she hadn’t done it, I might have missed my bus stop.  

Third, New Zealanders are very kind. I don’t know whether it is culture or not, but person who I haven’t met before sometimes talk to me. They say something kindly. I had been nervous before I came to NZ, because it was first time to live overseas. I had a prejudice that outside was dangerous. However, I felt I didn’t need to worry about it.