NA_RSAP 2017_Panjshiri

New Zealand / Australia
RSAP 2017
SULAIMAN PANJSHIRI

Learning Experience – Christchurch, NZ
• Rocked by earthquakes over the past decade, 185 died in 2011
• City rebounded with civil engineering techniques,
base isolation used to mitigate damage on new buildings
• Much land rendered useless due to liquefaction, city still in process of reconstruction
• Toured the University of Canterbury and learned about the efforts put forth in creating their
earthquake simulation laboratory

Free Time – Christchurch, NZ
• Messed around at the Margaret Mahy Playground
• Took in the sights of what remained and was rebuilt of the city
• Visited the Botanical Gardens (not much to see in the winter)
• Discovered city gap fillers such as the giant playable arcade game
• Strolled through the mall made of containers in the city center

Learning Experience – Rest of NZ
• Toured Lyttleton, discovering the coal mining and ship industries and how they had to
adjust after the earthquakes
• Explored the historical significance of Arthur’s Pass in transportation across the south
island of the country
• Reminded of the importance of the aboriginal Maori culture through spending time in
one of their villages
• Explained to how the Hanmer Springs work, through geothermal energy transfer

Free Time – Rest of NZ
• Tried out critically acclaimed Sheffield Pies (delicious btw)
• Hiked around filming locations of Lord of the Rings
• Stopped by beach city, Hokitika, in torrential downpour
• Took time to rejuvenate ourselves at Hanmer Springs

Learning Experience – Brisbane, AU
• Discovered and interacted with the animals at the Lone Pine Wildlife
Reserve (touched kangaroos and koalas)
• Visited the University of Queensland, and informed on the work done
by students in the robotics and hydrology labs
• Toured the XXXX Beer facility and got first hand look at the methods
used for waste water treatment and recycling done by chemical
engineers

Free Time – Brisbane, AU
• Much more sightseeing was done (Brisbane dwarves Christchurch)
• Rode the Ferris wheel giving a great view of the river front
• Dined at many different places, and even cooked food for myself
• Purchased a bunch of souvenirs from the bargain shops
• Explored the underground mall (3 levels underground)

Learning Experience – Rest of AU
• Traveled to Noosa Head, taught us the importance of biosphere
• In preventing sinking of beaches, other beaches sunk unintentionally
• Toured the desalination plant, which educated us on water
management and recycling
• Rode a ferry to Stradbroke Island, conducted an experiment on water
levels, water chemistry, and more along the beach with UQ Professors

Free Time – Rest of AU
• Swam at the beach in Noosa Head, explored the boardwalk
• Played a lot of ping pong and pool at the accommodation in
Stradbroke
• Walked along Point Lookout trail and found a wild kangaroo
• Tried out more great food, especially the caramel fudge cakes

How This Trip Changed Me
• Although much of the focus was on civil and some mechanical and
chemical engineering, it was interesting to see how even fields such
as computer engineering fit in places where I did not expect them to
• I definitely enjoyed traveling, and wouldn’t be against participating in
a full semester study abroad in the future
• Being in a different part of the world allowed me to see the ways in
which people prioritize differently, with main focus in America being
on completing the tasks on time whereas safety is most important in
AU/NZ.
• Oh and meeting new people was also nice = )