AustraLearn and the University of Waikato

  New Zealand

• All Other Areas in New Zealand: 
Hamilton

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring 
Dates: Feb-June and/or July-Nov

Description: AustraLearn will facilitate your enrollment to the University of Waikato for one or two semesters of study abroad or into a degree program- bachelor's, master's or PhD. The University of Waikato is a government funded and internationally recognized research university that offers high quality education to students of all nationalities. It was established in 1964 and occupies a beautifully green and spacious 158-acre garden campus on Hamilton city's green-belt. In 2005, 13,500 students were enrolled at the University of Waikato, including 2,300 international students.

The University of Waikato is located in the scenic river city of Hamilton, New Zealand 's fourth largest city in the central area of the North Island. The name "Waikato" is a Maori word, meaning "running water," and is the name of both the local province, and the river running through Hamilton . The Maori character of the campus is an important aspect of the University of Waikato 's identity.

Hamilton has all the attributes of a larger city without the smog, or traffic problems. The city is noted for its parks and river walkways, easy access to outdoors activities (skiing, whitewater rafting, hiking, caving, climbing, kayaking to name a few), a flourishing music, art and cafe culture. Students appreciate the relaxed atmosphere of the Waikato campus. The city is flat and easy to get around, and offers a significantly lower cost of living than Auckland.

Highlights: There are many sports and activity clubs on campus that students can become involved in. Students enjoy a wide variety of commercial and recreational facilities, including an extensive indoor Recreation Center , theatres, game rooms, lounges and cafeterias, centers of worship, large sports grounds and a summer swimming and diving pool. Many sporting and cultural clubs are active on campus. If your particularly hobby or sport is not offered on campus, the Clubs office, conveniently located next door to the International Center, will put you in touch with a community club. The Academy of Performing Arts provides a continuous calendar of high quality theatre and music, including the bi-annual Festival of New Zealand Theatre. Recent release major movies have discounted student screenings three times a week in one of the University's largest lecture theatres.

Hamilton boasts an enviable student night life. The city is also very centrally located in the North Island heartland, with two oceanic coastlines only a short drive away. The West Coast (Tasman Sea ) is only 40 minutes from Hamilton and offers the peaceful lifestyle town of Raglan complete with isolated beaches and excellent surfing. Sixty minutes away are the beautiful endless white sand beaches and surf resorts of the Bay of Plenty ( Pacific Ocean ).

Cost in US$: Contact AustraLearn

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to New Zealand Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Scholarships are Available. - $275,000 in scholarships available to AustraLearn study abroad students each year. The application is provided in upon acceptance to the AustraLearn program.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

AustraLearn's Mission Statement: AustraLearn seeks to foster the development of future leaders, who, through international awareness, gain a greater respect for and understanding of the relationship which exists between North America, Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific in the context of the larger global community.

Year Founded: 1989