A Fresher’s Perspective on Christchurch
Christchurch’s McLeans Island seen from above. Source: Hariklia Nicola
Imagine you’re in a tiny plane, flying to the South Island for the first time in your life, looking out of the window to see nothing but green pastures and a couple of cows. That, my friends, is exactly what I saw on my way from Wellington to Christchurch for the very first time. I seriously wanted to turn the plane around and never come back.
Bully me all you want, but I was totally scared out of my mind that I was being dropped in the middle of the wops. I also managed to gaslight myself that I would be doing my university work with a cow on the paddocks below me. Does this give ‘big city’ energy? For sure.
Before I get absolutely ripped out, remember this was my first time coming to the South. And my UC Open Day was cancelled because of COVID-19. Pity me, please. I had absolutely nothing to base my expectations on, other than what I saw on TV or social media. My first impressions definitely left me scarred. I thought there was nothing to do in Christchurch and that the only place I would ever step foot on was campus. How sad.
When I first arrived, I also managed to completely forget that Christchurch had suffered from multiple major earthquakes while commenting on the amount of potholes and uneven surfaces on the road. Not that I can say anything, considering Wellington has a pipe explode every five minutes.
I chose studying here over other universities because of how condensed and well-organised the campus was, and for the vibes of Christchurch, as I loved the takeover of graffiti art post-earthquake which breathed new life into the city. When I first got here, I didn’t get to see any of that as I was stuck in good ol’ Riccarton.
The furthest I’d travelled while setting up my room was Riccarton Mall, specifically the Kmart. So again, my expectations of the city depleted further and further with every visit to that mall. I genuinely thought that mall encapsulated Christchurch.
You’ll never expect this plot twist, but boy, was I proven wrong.
It took some time for me to get out of the mindset that “Christchurch was a weird place to move to,” especially if you’re used to a condensed place like Wellington. But this place actually had a whole heap of hidden gems that I had no idea about if it wasn’t for my mates that I met in first year who were from the Garden City.
Once I left my small-minded idea of what a city was supposed to look like in the gutter, I realised there was so much more to Christchurch than what originally caught my eye. The Botanic Gardens here are huge, gorgeous, are super accessible, and are probably one of my favourite places to go. I have lost count of the times I have biked to the gardens from campus just to escape all of my assignments and university work.
The Port Hills and Lyttelton, as well as the surrounding bays in the area, are stunning. Christchurch has little-to-no wind, meaning you can actually enjoy sitting outside without worrying about your hair being thrown around or sand getting in your eyes. With no wind, the heat here just sits, and it’s such a killer – which is why it’s so good to have such a variety of swimming options in the area.
Christchurch as a city and a community has overcome so much adversity, something which I could never fully understand as an outsider. But watching how the community has the ability to come together from afar under tough circumstances is truly beautiful, and adds another layer to Christchurch.
Long story short, if you’re from a big city and are being annoying like I was in first year absolutely ripping out Christchurch and the little you think it has to offer, think again! I promise there is something for everyone here. You just need to find it.
Would I stay here after I finish my degree? No.
But would I visit?
Definitely.
