Student Highlights from LA

My highlight was swimming at Huntington Beach because it was one of the hottest days thus far. Also it had awesome surf shops to look at.
J. Ellis

Running up to the Hollywood Sign was my highlight because of the feeling of accomplishment after I had got to the top.
P. Carter

Having my first twinky, Laguna beach and staying with my billet from Santa Margarita was awesome.
G. Kilmister

Spending the day at Huntington Beach and going swimming was awesome. Also, staying with my billet from Santa Margarita was fun and they were amazing hosts.
J. Pallister

Highlights would have to be staying with the awesome billets at Pasadena Poly and Santa Margarita High School. Everyone was just so awesome and they treated us like one of their own. Beaches were also really sick!
S.A. Meltzer

The weather here has been perfect; every day there has been clear blue skies and little wind. My billet at Santa margarita was awesome, they went to a great effort to show Henry and I the true Southern California culture.
K. Esterhuizen

The hospitality and generosity of our billets so far has been my highlight. They have constantly been offering to go out of their way to make us feel welcome and comfortable.
T. Batts

It's been awesome in L.A. The weather has been so nice. My billet's parents were so nice and had a massive house. The S.M.C.H.S. people were so friendly and nice and love New Zealanders and our haka.
M Wallace

S.M.C.H.S has been my favourite place on this trip so far. My billet family was awesome and I think A.G.S is finally starting to enjoy doing the haka. The weather has been absolutely amazing. Knotts berry farm yesterday was very fun.
M.Haycock

Being billeted out to the students of S.M.C.H has been my highlight of being in LA. The family went out of their way to give us a full experience of the American lifestyle at home.
J. Grieve

My highlight was staying at my billet's house in LA; he loved rugby, the haka and was a really nice guy (BOOSH!). Being vice chancellor of team Ireland has been an incredible honour also. -R.Lockhart

The most enjoyable part of the trip has been being billeted out to S.M.C.H.S. Everyone was so welcoming from the school and my billet and his family appreciated us being with them.
K. Magwick

Venice beach- Interesting people, interesting places... Enough said.
H.Watt

My highlight of the trip so far has been the Pasadena Poly football game; such an epic match to watch.
A. McDermott

Then Santa Margarita leg of the trip was my favourite so far. Had smores by the pool last night after Ball Park pizza and In N Out burgers and the theme parks were awesome although I was burnt out by the third... And the beach days. So many highlights and favourites.
M. Pogson

A highlight has got to be the great hospitality we have been shown by both Pasadena and Santa Margarita. Really felt welcomed by both billets and by their distance squad/school in general. I've met a lot of nice people in LA!
O. Clarke

I've been really blown away by the awesome hospitality that has been displayed by my two host families in LA. In particular the friendships we've shared and formed with the guys and girls there has been the best part. Sad to say goodbye but the show must go on!
S. Perera

The highlight of LA for me was Universal City. It was such a busy and chaotic place but was strangely relaxing.
H. Kerr

I still can't get over the Six Flags theme park but my biggest highlight was probably basketball on Laguna beach where Mr Skeen sunk a massive three and ran screening down the beach and into the surf while pedestrians watched in shock.
R. Martin

My personal highlight would be the time we spent at Venice Beach. It made for some laughs, and I truly felt immersed in the American culture during our stay. Also noteworthy was the amazing generosity and kindness displayed by our billets.
Z. Xie

A favourite experience of mine was visiting Huntington Beach for the day. I really enjoyed being in the sun and relaxing after a stressful few days travelling and getting used to America. It was hot but there was a cool breeze and combining these gave a very nice atmosphere in which we all had fun looking at local shops and talking with curious Americans. My favourite bit of the day was the volleyball at the end of the day with some locals.
T. Lorimer.