AUIP New Zealand Short Program (4 weeks/6 credits)

  New Zealand

• Christchurch: 
Christchurch
• All Other Areas in New Zealand: 
South Island

Term: Summer, Winter 
Dates: May 17 - June 11, 2009 or Dec 28, 2009 - Jan 18, 2010

Description: This 3.5-week study abroad program will examine the natural (and related social) history and resource conservation of New Zealand's South Island. 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. The plants and animals that have evolved here are unknown elsewhere in the world. Our program will focus on topics related to sustainable development (sustaining human societies and the natural environment) through educational travel, field trips, active participation, lecture presentations and seminars, and coursework exercises.

This program can be combined with an 8-day program in Fiji and/or an 8-day program in Sydney for up to 12 semester credits.

Objectives:

1. Understand the natural history, biogeography, ecological diversity, and related social and cultural contexts of New Zealand through an exploration of the South Islands network of national parks and protected areas, which encompass rainforests, glaciers, mountains, coastlines, marine reserves, and offshore islands.
2. 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;
4. Develop an understanding of ecological education practices, integrated natural resource management, and conservation actions throughout New Zealand's South Island.
3. 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.

Highlights:
* 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. At AUIP, 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 & the Environment theme.

Cost in US$: $2795

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to New Zealand Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 15 - 30

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application

AUIP - American Universities International Programs's Mission Statement: To provide enjoyable, yet academically rigorous, educational and travel study abroad programs that enable students to experience the culture, society, and natural environments of the host country. Select universities will work with students one-on-one to ensure that the program meets their academic needs and is personally and academically rewarding.

Year Founded: 1971