Discussing race or ethnicity in a different country is tricky. However, you'll get endless interpretations to both as neither are understood in the same fashion. This is MY racial and ethnic experience while I was in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Frankly, for me, I was not too concerned with any racial prejudice because I felt like there was no other extreme racial violence (systemically or direct) like the U.S. I knew the Indigenous people of Aotearoa and those elsewhere had experienced similar forms of colonial violence. (Unfortunately, as most minority groups have.)

What I did not expect was to see as many black and brown faces of difference ethnicities to be as present and involved as I had seen. There were more people of Asian cultures or descent in addition to the many different Pacifica (Pacific Islanders/Polynesian) groups.

From what I observed within the 36 days, there were distinct social groups where people gathered with those most like them. Within the student body on-campus, I saw different cliques based on language, ethnicity, nationality, and age develop as the trimester began.

Just keep in mind that I was a foreigner here. These observations are not to generalize or paint broad brushstrokes for the different racial or ethnic groups mentioned in this article.

My conceptions of race and ethnicity are understood and experienced differently than those in New Zealand, therefore, they will tell you their stories if willing. My perspective is incomplete and will continue to change and differ than others.