Blog | Stella Spirit

A Weekend at Dartmouth's Second College Grant: Fall Colors, Wilderness, and Wonder

Stella Beckmann

Oct 1, 2024

A Weekend at Dartmouth's Second College Grant: Fall Colors, Wilderness, and Wonder

I didn’t know how beautiful fall could be until going to Second College Grant for the weekend.

Full Moon Party Koh Phangan: What Every Foreigner Should Know

Stella Beckmann

Sep 15, 2024

Full Moon Party Koh Phangan: What Every Foreigner Should Know

It felt like a dragon was breathing fire on my lower back. We’d been standing at this pier for one hour - an hour longer than expected.

Is Thailand Safe for Solo Female Travellers? How I got Offered Money for Sex in Koh Samui, Thailand

Stella Beckmann

Sep 4, 2024

Is Thailand Safe for Solo Female Travellers? How I got Offered Money for Sex in Koh Samui, Thailand

When I said I wanted to solo-travel Thailand, friends and family told me it wasn’t safe and not to travel there, especially alone. Well, tha

Culture Shock: Navigating Chinese Etiquette for First-Time Visitors

Stella Beckmann

Aug 29, 2024

Culture Shock: Navigating Chinese Etiquette for First-Time Visitors

Chinese people are incredibly warming and caring to family and friends. Gift giving and acts of service skyrocket for guests.

Foreigner's Review of Jiuzhaigou: China’s “Fairyland on Earth”

Stella Beckmann

Aug 4, 2024

Foreigner's Review of Jiuzhaigou: China’s “Fairyland on Earth”

Jiuzhaigou (九寨沟): one of the most beautiful places in China. The national park, deemed “Fairyland on Earth”, would be a natural wonder fille

Everything You Need to Know About Tsinghua University as an International Student

Stella Beckmann

Jul 31, 2024

Everything You Need to Know About Tsinghua University as an International Student

Rated 5 out of 5 stars.(1)

This article will share all my insights about life at Tsinghua, particularly for those of you interested in doing an exchange or language pr

Chengdu in 3 Days: Trains, Shopping, and Panda Encounters

Stella Beckmann

Jul 29, 2024

Chengdu in 3 Days: Trains, Shopping, and Panda Encounters

Chengdu is a classic tourist city with a lot of hotspots and amazing atmosphere. Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province, which is famous

This Advice Will Make You a Top Scholarship Applicant

Stella Beckmann

Jul 22, 2024

This Advice Will Make You a Top Scholarship Applicant

I have received $40,000+ worth of university scholarships in the past three years, such as the UoA Top Achiever’s Scholarship, Prime Ministe

How a Zen Retreat Changed My Approach to Stress and Mindfulness

Stella Beckmann

Jul 20, 2024

How a Zen Retreat Changed My Approach to Stress and Mindfulness

As I closed my eyes, I envisioned myself atop a mountain, a breeze fluttering through my hair while being encompassed by lush green treetops

Oscar Lin

Apr 14, 2024

So, how was India?

An ostensibly well intended question. Since coming home, I’ve been asked this question in multiple different ways.

Making the Most of Experiences: Tsinghua Exchange Goals

Stella Beckmann

Mar 27, 2024

Making the Most of Experiences: Tsinghua Exchange Goals

To me, the best way to make the most of an experience is to do the things you couldn’t do anywhere else but that place - the things you...

Storytime: Summer’s Most Stunning Sunset

Stella Beckmann

Mar 3, 2024

Storytime: Summer’s Most Stunning Sunset

Part 1: the Bottom I had just finished doing admin when my alarm went off at 8pm to walk up Mt Eden. I’d been meaning to head up this...

Champions' Trophy 2024: A Week of Competing, Connecting, and Collaborating at the University of Auckland

Stella Beckmann

Feb 13, 2024

Champions' Trophy 2024: A Week of Competing, Connecting, and Collaborating at the University of Auckland

Recently the University of Auckland (UoA) hosted Champions’ Trophy 2024, a week-long, annual international case competition involving...

8 Life Lessons to Learn from Kung Fu Panda

Stella Beckmann

Feb 7, 2024

8 Life Lessons to Learn from Kung Fu Panda

Introduction Kung Fu Panda is a fun and energetic film series filled with great fight sequences, wittiness, and wisdom. Even though kids...

7 Reasons You Keep Failing at Your Goals - and How to Not

Stella Beckmann

Jan 21, 2024

7 Reasons You Keep Failing at Your Goals - and How to Not

It’s the start of 2024: a time of new year's resolutions and goal setting. It’s no secret that the toughest part of achieving goals is...

How to Rewire Your Brain to Create More Opportunities In Life

Stella Beckmann

Jan 19, 2024

How to Rewire Your Brain to Create More Opportunities In Life

There’s a story about a devoutly religious man once caught in a severe flood. He prayed to God for rescue. Soon enough, a neighbour rowed...

Meditating Under a Fig Tree to Figure Out Life

Stella Beckmann

Jan 14, 2024

Meditating Under a Fig Tree to Figure Out Life

I’m currently at my family’s lifestyle farm for the Christmas and New Year holiday break. Being in the countryside is always a break from...

6 Life Lessons to Learn From “Call Me By Your Name”

Stella Beckmann

Dec 29, 2023

6 Life Lessons to Learn From “Call Me By Your Name”

Rated 5 out of 5 stars.(2)

“Call Me by Your Name,” directed by Luca Guadagnino is a coming-of-age romance set in the Italian countryside in the summer of 1983....

Get Rid of the ‘Grass Is Greener’ Mindset

Stella Beckmann

Dec 23, 2023

Get Rid of the ‘Grass Is Greener’ Mindset

I used to compare my singing voice to others in my music class. I’d think, ‘I wish I could belt notes as high as she can!’ or ‘I wish my...

Contrasts and Commonalities: A New Zealander’s Perspective on Bangkok

Stella Beckmann

Jan 5, 2023

Contrasts and Commonalities: A New Zealander’s Perspective on Bangkok

Introduction Four days into an overseas experience in Bangkok, Thailand, and already, I’ve been struck by some of the stark differences...