Before I knew it, I’ve been in Dunedin for half a year! Time really flies. The dream-like feeling when I first arrived is still vivid, but now, I’ve truly (physically) settled down in the Southern Hemisphere.
My commute has also been upgraded, from strolling on flat ground in the city to a mountain biking challenge. I moved to a place with a great view on the hill, and the price I pay is that the high parking fees in the city center still make me choose green travel. However, the company’s parking lot allows free bicycle parking, so now, my daily commute to work is downhill, like a lightning bolt, so fast that if I get stuck even once, I’d have to spend a month in the hospital.
On the way back home, I huff and puff up the hill, feeling like the bike is riding me, and by the time I get home, I feel half-dead.
I’ve fully experienced Dunedin’s “randomly played seasons.” It’s common to leave the house in the morning with spring-like warmth, only to be hit by sudden strong winds and drizzle an hour later. Recently, as autumn sets in, I’ve experienced a “flash freeze” mode, which is incredibly cold! I’m starting to regret throwing away my autumn clothes in Hamilton.
At work, I’ve definitely said goodbye to the newbie protection period. My supervisor is still the same person who always praises, and the trust remains strong. They let me handle design and solutions on my own. However, the difficulty and volume of the tasks have increased. Fortunately, my supervisor does very detailed code reviews, not only pointing out issues but also giving suggestions for modifications and learning directions.
This hands-on guidance makes me feel like I’m growing much faster than I did in school. But I also deeply realize that mental labor is much more tiring than physical labor! When I was a part-time worker during my studies last year, I moved nearly 150 boxes weighing 20 kg each over the weekend. Though it was tiring, I could recover after lying down for two hours.
Now, after a day of coding, I feel completely drained, and all I want to do when I get home is to lie down and feel sleepy, with my energy levels plummeting.
As for the company, the boss is much more driven than us. Every day, they are either having coffee chats or attending various salons, promoting our products all over the world. Last month, they secured a major investment, and the presentation was reportedly excellent, making the future look promising.
In comparison, the atmosphere in our development team is relatively relaxed. Everyone writes code methodically, and doing a good job is the top priority. Of course, everyone hopes the company will do better, after all, our livelihoods depend on it.
After work or on weekends, there’s nothing quite like gazing out at the sea and savoring a juicy burger to unwind. Occasionally, I also venture out for solo hikes or join one or two acquaintances, explore bustling markets, and immerse myself in the local life of Dunedin. The tranquil charm of this small city has always been present, but now I find it even more enchanting.
As winter draws near, the sun sets around 7 PM, and though we bid farewell to the long summer days, there’s a comforting warmth in curling up at home.
Reflecting on these past six months, the journey from the initial “Wow, I’m actually working here” to the current “Yep, this is my life” feels almost magical. Living in a place I adore, engaging in a job I genuinely enjoy, meeting new people, and embracing a different pace of life—these experiences fill me with immense gratitude.
