Nicole Renard is a student at Chapman University and an ISA Featured Blogger. She is studying abroad with ISA in Wellington, New Zealand.
Language can be a huge decision making factor when you’re thinking about where to study abroad. If you are fluent in Spanish, then Spain may be a good place for you. If you are thinking about developing your German, then Germany may be a great choice.
As for me, I wouldn’t survive one week on my own in a country that didn’t speak English. Automatically, my choices were narrowed. When I chose to study abroad in New Zealand, I quite honestly based my decision off of high reviews from friends, the fact that The Lord of the Rings was filmed there, and that the locals speak English. Other than that I had no idea what New Zealand was all about.
All of that changed when I stepped off the plane and was immediately welcomed by the breathtaking beauty of the nature surrounding me. The Kiwis, people from New Zealand, made it so easy for me to plunge head first into their culture and way of life.
This small country has way more to offer than I ever anticipated and has taught me something new every day.
The native language in New Zealand is indeed English, but you will quickly learn if you study abroad here that they speak really fast and sometimes sound funny. Kiwi slang and lingo was hard for me to get used to, so I’ve created a guide of common words and terms they use. When you come to visit New Zealand, you can dive right in and sound just like a local.
Kiwi Lingo
| Sweet as | Cool or awesome |
| Dodgy | Sketchy, dysfunctional |
| Heaps | Tons, a lot of |
| Jelly | Jell-o |
| Mates | Friends |
| Dairy | Corner store or grocery store |
| Kia Ora | Hello, Welcome, Thank you |
| Whānau | Family |
| No worries | It’s okay, not a problem |
| Jandals | Sandals, Flip flops |
| Tomato sauce | Ketchup (they say tomato like “toe-mat-oh”) |
| You’re all good | It’s okay, Thank you, of course |
| Jersey | Sweatshirt or sweater |
| Wop-wops | Middle of no where |
| Tramping | Hiking |
| Torch | Flashlight |
| Papers | Class or courses |
| Biscuit | Cookie |
Now you know all you need to know before you come to New Zealand and sign up for your papers. You can grab heaps of biscuits, tomato sauce and jelly at the dairy to go tramping with your mates in the wop-wops. Don’t wear jandals as the weather can be quite dodgy here, and be sure to pack a jersey and a torch just in case! Sweet as mate! Have a great time!
Want to pick up Kiwi slang like Nicole? Learn more about ISA’s study abroad and internship programs in New Zealand.