Flying high in the States

Watching Scott Dixon win the Indy 500 to walking through snow to classes are some of the experiences Massey University student Matthew Raill has had so far during his time in the United States.

Mr Raill is spending two semesters at the University of Montana in Missoula, Palmerston North's sister city, on the Massey University Student Exchange Programme.

He started a bachelor of aviation management last year and while in Missoula is studying business papers, meteorology and cultural ecology.

The 21-year-old says the two universities have a similar number of students on campus; but the Missoula campus is only a 10-minute walk to the city across the Clark Fork River.

The University of Montana has a large business school and is also strong in science and forestry, the primary industry of the area.

"Study wise, I have found it to be a lot more intense here in Missoula compared to the programme I had at Massey," Mr Raill says.

"First, there is 15 weeks of classes, with only one week (spring break) of holidays in the middle. The holidays next semester are just long weekends.

"And every week last semester I either had at least one assignment due, an exam or a quiz.

"There is really no chance for slacking with your studies if you wish to do well."

Mr Raill says Missoula is a lovely city and feels like Palmerston North.

"Although a city, Missoula has a very local feel about it, with people rarely feeling the need to lock their house when they are out during the day, and where stolen political signs make the crime watch report in the newspaper."

He says he's found the locals to be both interested and knowledgeable about New Zealand, more so than other people he's talked with on previous trips to the United States.

"People are extremely friendly and show great courtesy towards fellow citizens."

During New Zealand Day celebrations in Missoula earlier this month, Mr Raill met "numerous people who had been to New Zealand and Palmerston North and could only speak highly about the place".

Celebrations included touch rugby coaching and games, a Palmerston North pizza party and showing of New Zealand movies.

Mr Raill gave a presentation about Palmerston North's history and attractions and the similarities between the two cities.

To finish off New Zealand Day, he gathered with a handful of Maggots rugby players in a bar to watch delayed coverage of the All Blacks versus England first test.

"I do think the day was a great success and was pleased to be a part of the event, and would hope in the future Palmerston North is able to offer a similar event celebrating Missoula."

Mr Raill is on his summer holidays until the second semester starts in August.

He spent two weeks visiting his sister, who is studying at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

"While there, I was able to go to the Flight of The Conchords show in Columbus and was fortunate enough to be one of the 400,000 people at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to watch Scott Dixon win the Indy 500, a great day."

He's now spending a month in Guanajuato, central Mexico, living with a friend and her family and doing a crash course in Spanish.

Mr Raill expects to return to Hamilton in January, before coming back to Palmerston North for the final year of his aviation degree.

- © Fairfax NZ News