New Zealand: Humans and the Environment

Program Description

This 3.5-week experiential program uses the theme of sustainable development to explore the relationship between people and their natural environment. New Zealand's isolation, after its separation from the ancient Gondwanaland millions of years ago, has left this island nation with a unique natural heritage. Imagine visiting snow-capped mountains rising 12,000 feet out of the sea; cruising the largest fiords in the world; hiking massive glaciers carving their way to the ocean; experiencing close encounters with flora and fauna unknown elsewhere in the world; kayaking to deserted beaches through turquoise waters; and discovering the stunning scenery of the Lord of the Rings. New Zealand's South Island is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful islands in the world.

Our experiential education focuses on learning through guided action. Students spend about 70% of their time traveling the stunning national parks, forests, wildlife reserves, coastlines, and islands of New Zealand under the guidance of knowledgeable field professionals.

We begin our program in the garden city of Christchurch taking classes with leading experts from New Zealand universities (e.g., Lincoln University and the University of Canterbury), 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 Mount Cook, 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.

This program can be combined with the 10-day program in Fiji and/or the 10-day program in Sydney for up to 12 semester credits.

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:

Understand the natural history, biogeography, ecological diversity, and related social and cultural contexts of New Zealand through an exploration of the South Island's network of national parks and protected areas, which encompass rainforests, glaciers, mountains, coastlines, marine reserves, and offshore islands;
Understand the impacts of human actions on the natural systems, and human responses to those changes, using the case of New Zealand's South Island;
Develop an understanding of ecological education practices, integrated natural resource management, and conservation actions throughout New Zealand's South Island;
Be able to address relationships between human societies and their natural environments from multiple disciplinary perspectives and to develop a complex, multi-faceted and holistic view of human - environment connections that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries.
Work as an effective member of an interdisciplinary research team

Read the program syllabus and sample itinerary 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 (see application page) includes:

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

Additional costs that students are responsible for include:

Tuition
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 have the chance to hike on a glacier, swim with dolphins, kayak to golden beaches, and cruise one of the largest fiords in the world
You will learn from leading Kiwi academics and professionals with expertise in subjects related to the Humans and the Environment theme.