Amy Fletcher- An American from Alabama (or something like that), a moderate republican, but justifiably so, taught our Environmental Policy class, has a passion for the biodiversity crisis, is passionate in general. If she taught at Point I would take every class she offered. I am heartbroken that her class has ended now. She worked on Capital Hill for a while.
Dr. J-Our leader from Point. I'm never sure how to spell either of his names. They seem to change. Taught our Field Bio class and is responsible for a handful of our International Studies credits. He knows plants and is highly passionate. Also had the most fun final I've ever taken--I got to draw pictures and make bulleted lists.
Jane Cooper-Ethics professor, don't know much about her yet. She's from England, lived in India for a long while. I'm unsure of how she ended up in New Zealand. She handles crisis very well, seemed like she enjoyed what she was doing. Very much a thinke (fitting, being a philosophy prof and and all), very blue if you know your personality colors.
Phillip Catton-The other Environmental Ethics professor. Has a very cool accent, Oregon and Brittish Columbia. He ended up in New Zealand with his family sometime in his teens. Very dedicated to Climate Change causes, his father was some important scientist in the early days of the Climate change movement, and his son is fixing the world through physics. Long winded, but highly passionate. I like hearing what he has to say. He started a conversation about ecosystems of bacteria in one's mouth, touched on glaciers and glaciation, and ended on riding your bike everywhere, even when it's raining, but then mentioned his philosophical crisis that caused him to buy a car.
Stephen Hardman-from the north of England, New Zealand Cultural studies professor. Repeats his stories, but they're hilarious. Studied in St. Louis for a while. Is highly sassy, very fun. Many of his stories about venturing into academia end with, "because I was nervous, I drank, and never got invited back" or "...and then we went to the pub." His wife is a prison guard and isn't impressed by his fancy talk--and he loves it all the more. Very helpful for writing that god-awful paper.
What's interesting about all of these guys? NON OF THEM ARE NEW ZEALAND CITIZENS! Maybe Phillip is, and Amy's thinking about becoming naturalized. While I like them all, I think it is absolutely fascinating that between either University's International Programs Department, they thought that it would be culturally appropriate and wise that we, as American students who are coming to this great nation to experience Kiwiana, should be separated from all other kiwi students, our schedules such that it is impossible to join any extracurricular activity, be taught by non-New Zealand professors. Where are the Kiwis? In our homestays--a bunch of old farts who are just taking on borders so they can go to Tonga on holiday. Keep in mind that I do like Sue and Gordon, and I don't really don't mean that, but I am just so surprised that this was the plan. I've managed to meet a couple of American students who are here on their own accord. Their home Uni's take the credit, the students still find all sorts of fab study tours, and they get to study what they choose--the cost is comparable to what we're paying. Maybe we got a deal on Airfare and they didn't go to Sydney...but still. UWSP IP, I've said it before and I've said it again, I am disappointed in you.
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