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 Canterbury, 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.

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. Understand the impacts of human actions on the natural systems, and human responses to those changes;
3. Develop an understanding of ecological education practices, integrated natural resource management, and conservation actions throughout New Zealand's South Island;
4. 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.
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 have the chance to swim with dolphins, kayak to golden beaches, hike Fox Glacier, crusie Milford Sound, and experience Maori culture.
  
• You will learn from leading Kiwi (New Zealand) academics and professionals with expertise in subjects related to sustainability.