Our experiential education focuses on learning through guided action. Students spend about 70% of their time traveling the stunning national parks, forests, wildlife reserves and coastlines of New Zealand under the guidance of knowledgeable field professionals.We begin our program in Dunedin, taking classes with leading experts from New Zealand universities (e.g. Otago University), government departments (e.g. Department of Conservation), iwi (Maori tribes), and scientific research bodies (e.g. Landcare Research). This is followed by a field study which encompasses the South Island. A typical itinerary includes "the adventure capital of the world": Queenstown, the wild West Coast, swimming with dolphins at Kaikoura, a guided kayak of Abel Tasman National Park, a guided hike on Fox Glacier, a sheep farm visit, a visit to a Maori marae, and a boat cruise on Milford Sound.

Interactive Map and Program Itinerary

Check out our interactive program map and view a sample itinerary for this program.

Program Pictures

Check out our Flickr page to view pictures of the New Zealand program!

Program Objectives

By the end of the program students will:

1. Understand the natural history, biogeography, ecological diversity, and related social and cultural contexts of New Zealand;
2. Develop an understanding of economical and social impact of adventure tourism;
3. Be able to address the risk management of adventure tourism and recreation ventures;
4. Gain a broad understanding of destination marketing, using the South Island of New Zealand as a case study;
   
5. Work as an effective member of an interdisciplinary research team.
   

Read the program syllabus for this program.

Eligibility

We encourage students from all majors to apply, as we take an interdisciplinary perspective to examine global issues in the conservation of unique wildlife, natural systems, and cultural places. Students should have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and be in good standing with their home university or college.

Program Fee

The program fee includes:

• Transcript
• Accommodation at hostels and motels
• Orientation
  
• Some meals
  
• Group activities
  
• In-country transportation 

Additional costs that students are responsible for include:

• Roundtrip airfare (see www.studentuniverse.com/study/auip for details)
• Passport
• Course packet
• Personal expenses

Top Reasons to Choose this Program

• New Zealand is one of the most geographically diverse countries in the world with temperate rainforests, glaciers, golden sand beaches, deep fiords, alpine herb fields, and rugged coastlines.
• You will spend much of your time (~70%) out in the field, visiting and observing New Zealand first-hand. We believe that students learn from study abroad experiences both in and outside of the classroom.
• You visit Queenstown (known as the adventure capital of the world), swim with dolphins, kayak to golden beaches, hike a glacier, take a cruise of Milford Sound, and experience maori culture.
  
• You will learn from leading Kiwi (New Zealand) academics and professionals.