Howieson, a fulltime professional footballer with Burnley, was back in Dunedin at the weekend, watching his old Mosgiel side in action, and also catching up with old school friends.
Howieson has a bit of down time before he joins the New Zealand Olympic side early next month.
He has had a whirlwind 12 months, playing for New Zealand at the under-17 World Cup in Mexico, which led to him being signed for English Championship outfit Burnley and then making his All Whites debut.
All this before his 18th birthday in December.
"The last two years has happened really quickly. It does not really feel like it has happened all in two years. When the last Olympics happened I was just in the third form at Otago Boys'.
"I never thought I would play in the next one. And now I'm young enough I can play in the next one too. At times it is hard to take in ... But, hopefully, there will be more to come," he said.
Howieson, a left-sided midfielder, was signed to Burnley as an apprentice last year but after some impressive performances for the youth side was offered professional forms in March.
Howieson had played well in an FA Youth Cup game against Fulham and, with whispers of interest from the likes of big clubs Liverpool and Newcastle, Burnley offered professional terms.
"There wasn't that much actual talk about it and I just concentrated on playing the game and ignored it really ... as an apprentice you had to clean out things like mini vans and do a bit of cleaning round the club. Hopefully, I won't have to do that anymore."
Howieson said the standard of football in the Championship was high, and getting more game time would help him.
"Championship football has really good game speed. You have to keep up with it. And also I have to work on keeping calm in some situations, playing in front of some big crowds."
Two years at the Asia Pacific Football Academy in Christchurch had schooled him up on his skills, so going to a professional club was not too much of a change, although it was a big mental challenge.
He has made two first team appearances off the bench and has also sat on the bench for eight games.
Burnley was surrounded by many clubs - Bolton and Blackburn would be derby games next season.
Howieson admitted Burnley was not the most exciting of towns, but he was busy with football most of the time.
He lived with a family in the town - population about 80,000 - and although the climate could be better he had few complaints.
Burnley finished 12th in the Championship last season and, with a young team, was looking to move up next season.
Striker Jay Rodriguez had just left the club for Southampton for about 7 million ($NZ14 million) and Howieson said his departure could open up a few spots in the team.
But before then would be the Olympics. He had a taste of international football with the All Whites in the United States and Solomon Islands.
"In the Solomons it was unbelievably hot. They were the hottest conditions I've ever played in by far. We should have done a lot better really, and won the tournament. But we didn't, so we just have to move on."
There was wide interest regarding Howieson's nationality. Scotland made inquiries about his parental lineage, and he could play for Scotland, England, Samoa or New Zealand.
But it was the New Zealand side for Howieson as he was starting to enjoy the trappings of professional football.
"I went down to Mosgiel the other night to help out at training, and got recognised a bit. I started having to sign a few autographs and pose for some photos. People start to get to know you."
