Justin Clinton-Gohdes ’06: New Zealand

Hometown: Lone Jack, Missouri

Current location: New Plymouth, New Zealand. I have previously lived in Auckland, New Zealand; Beijing, People’s Republic of China; Würzburg, Germany; and Neubrücke, Germany.

Career: I worked as the strategy and commissioning lead for mental health and addictions for our region’s public health service. The role was disestablished in December 2023 as part of national health reforms, and I will be undertaking contract work for social service nongovernmental organizations and providing mental health counseling. 

Why New Zealand: I was a resident assistant at Cornell and, coupled with the versatility of a Cornell degree, I ended up working in student affairs supporting university students and their transition into and through higher education. This work took me to Germany, China, back to Cornell, and finally New Zealand. I came to New Zealand to work at The University of Auckland in student accommodation. I fell in love with New Zealand and then a New Zealander. I’m now a citizen and have lived here for 10 years. 

Cornell impact: My first time living away from home was to attend Cornell and, while there, my perspective of the world and its accessibility was completely opened. From a Plant Morphology course in the Boundary Waters to a singing tour of Italy with the Chamber Singers, Cornell allowed me the opportunities to expand my curiosity to a global scale. 

Benefits of living in a different culture: Something that Cornell instilled in me was a love for being a lifelong learner. I find that being immersed in new places and spaces means learning opportunities are more frequent. I have been blessed and privileged to study Te Reo Māori, the language of Aotearoa New Zealand’s indigenous people, and to connect with local Māori Iwi. Learning about culture and customs while developing deep connections has enriched my life, and it’s not something to which you can be a spectator.  

What would you tell students: I would tell them to learn of and be aware of your own culture and the cultural lens through which you view the world.

➤ Meet seven more international alumni