New Zealand Regional

[hallk]

I would love to go but I think money -or lack of- will prevent that.

[JaneYoung]

There is much wisdom in this thread. I hope all who read it, will spend time with some of the posts that our mentors are making and allow their words to sink in fully:
- the richness of the experience, itself
- creating/making time to submerge the members of the team into the culture(s) and educational system(s) of the country
- lining out priorities, possibilities, purpose for travel
- acknowledging the goals and struggles faced by teams from countries around the world that quietly prepare to meet the requirements of a FIRST team competing in FIRST events - respecting the system set in place by the program and rising to the challenge. I have yet to see their sacrifices, struggles, and successful achievements fully recognized anywhere, including in CD.

There will be more wisdom posted in this thread and I look forward to absorbing every single thoughtful word.

New Zealand, wow.

Jane

[waialua359]

The dilemma for teams is much more than attending the New Zealand regional. Its going to be a much growing concern for FIRST, teams in the US, much like teams from Hawaii and/or foreign teams competing in the mainland US. The travel costs year after year will be a serious issue as FIRST expands internationally.
This is why teams must emphasize having an "entrepreneurship/business" plan to address sustainability and rising costs of participating in FIRST year after year.
As a rookie team way back when, we thought it would be impossible for us to compete after being completely depleted of funds/time/energy our first year. What we faced back in the 1999-2000 SY is what some veteran teams are only discussing now.
The one thing I have learned over recent years is that there are many many companies and foundations with deep pockets that are willing to help a school.
Do the research, do the math, and create that plan!

[Tetraman]

An experience to head out of the US and Canada for a FIRST event sounds like THE coolest thing ever.

I think any team who can make the trip should.

Just PLEASE don't make it the same date as the Hawaii regional...that would be a huge mistake.

[Scott Carpman]

If we stay with a 6 week schedule, I'd think that NZ should be Week 1, Hawaii Week 3, and NYC Week 6.

[JoshD]

This is great news. However I feel one of the bigger things being overlooked is the experience you'd have down there.

I was lucky enough to spend three weeks in New Zealand in the summer of 2006. I have to say that once you start seeing the sights, you want to see more. There is just so much there to see and do. I would hate to see teams spend so much money to go and only compete for a few days and not do much sightseeing.

I still want to go back and experience more of what these two beautiful islands have to offer. You can't possibly go there for a few days, or even a week, and get the whole experience.

Josh

[waialua359]

Hawaii is and will be during week 5, which is during our spring break for all Hawaii schools, both public and private.
I actually wished it was week 1 or 2 to save on shipping costs or to rotate the weeks in order to allow every team to be able to participate at some point.
BUT, its not happening anytime soon.

[SU 39]

Originally Posted by Tetraman

Just PLEASE don't make it the same date as the Hawaii regional...that would be a huge mistake.

Originally Posted by Scott Carpman

If we stay with a 6 week schedule, I'd think that NZ should be Week 1, Hawaii Week 3, and NYC Week 6.

Would your team really have that much money to go to BOTH Hawaii AND New Zealand regionals? Sure they'd both be a ton of fun...but I'm sure those funds can be better allocated. Take it from me...go to the Hawaii Regional..

[MissInformation]

We were lucky to have two people from New Zealand with our team, David and Linda. I had a great time talking with them, especially since I love to talk and robotics is just one of those things I love to talk about, but also because they were fun to talk with (great senses of humor!) Having them with us and explaining everything FIRST to them was amazing because it felt like I was seeing my first Championship all over again.

If their representatives are any indication (and they usually are) we are going to see great things from New Zealand!

Heidi

[Sgraff_SRHS06]

Of course we will. But the bad news is...I'm about 95% sure the regional will be limited to New Zealander or Aussie teams for a while. But I would not be surprised if 1574 or any of the Israeli teams go.

[David55]

Originally Posted by Sgraff_SRHS06

Of course we will. But the bad news is...I'm about 95% sure the regional will be limited to New Zealander or Aussie teams for a while. But I would not be surprised if 1574 or any of the Israeli teams go.

I would actually be extremely surprised. Getting the funds for ATL is hard enough for Israeli teams (about 1500$ per student). Israel and New Zealand are almost on opposite sides of the planet. The fastest way to get there would be through 3 different flights and a minimum transit time of 24 hours (about 20 hours of flights). I don't think it is going to happen...

[ZakuAce]

Originally Posted by Doug G

Our students were very excited about the notion of competing in New Zealand (or Isreal, Brazil for that matter) until I checked on airfare... $1500 is a ballpark figure, maybe a bit less if purchased enough in advance. So at a cost of almost $2000 per person and add in that shipping cost - YIKES!!

Some students at my school are going to Japan this year. I wanted to go, but the cost would have been $2500 and $1500 is just airfare! It is very ridiculous!! Plus there would have been a refund at the end of the trip for money not spent, probably $200!

[galewind]

Call me a pessimist, but I really agree with Dave here: with the amount of money that it would cost to send a drive team and two adult mentors to New Zealand, you could instead fund two new rookie teams at nearby schools!

On Friday, I had the opportunity to sit down with some of the Kiwis that were with guests of team 254. They were great people, very enthusiastic, and they were happy to be paired with such a nice team. We chatted, and I wished them the best of success in getting FIRST started in New Zealand. I think it's great that another country is starting to ride the FIRST bandwagon...

...but it's my own opinion that if one of our key missions is to try to bring engineering and inspiration (via access to FIRST) to as many people as possible, there are a lot more efficient ways to do so with the money that we have.

I don't want to redirect your priorities -- if you have your heart set on exploring the world and having your team get to meet wonderful people from across the globe, and affect another country, I think it's a noble idea, and it can change the lives of your students more than just competing in local events.

For me, however, I think that if the goal of our program is to try to change the culture, part of that is being more efficient with our resources. I'm sorry if this sounds like flamebait or hypocritical, especially because we do multiple events ourselves, but when the dollar figures started showing up on the screen, I had thought about what sort of local impact could be made with that money, it just blew my "be quiet and let it go" gasket.

[Rhall233]

Originally Posted by hoorayforpink

Is there something you know that I don't?

if he bets more money... I'll stay.

[Zyik]

Originally Posted by Hachiban VIII

I'll bet some $100 bills that 233 goes

I wouldn't trust his money; I've seen the "100 dollar bills" that they hand out.