IFSA-Butler at the University of Auckland

  New Zealand

• Auckland: 
Auckland

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring 
Dates: February - November

Description: Auckland, known as the City of Sails, lies between two harbors on New Zealand's North Island among a cluster of dormant volcanic cones. As the largest city in the country, it hosts national sporting events, boasts international theater productions and offers vibrant night life. Auckland's location affords easy access to many of New Zealand's famous beaches as well as the extensive native bush regions in Centennial Memorial Park and the picturesque Coromandel Peninsula.

The University of Auckland was established through an act of Parliament in 1883 as the Auckland College of the University of New Zealand. From its inception, this institution has welcomed both men and women from all walks of life. The University has grown over the years to accommodate the changes in society and in the face of their student body. Although the university opened its doors offering only traditional courses of study, today's students take courses in Geothermal Engineering as well as Pacific Island Studies and Maoritanga.

Location and space have always inspired great debate at the university and today students attend either or both of two campuses in the Auckland area. The City campus lies within two blocks of Auckland's central business district and the busy Hauraki Gulf. Albert Park and the Auckland Domain serve as a green buffer zone for the university so that the city does not encroach on campus life. The university has acquired several historic buildings including the old Government House, home to New Zealand's capital until 1865. In addition, new buildings litter the campus grounds some of them having won awards for their architecture. Several large Victorian homes were purchased by the University for use as offices and classrooms. The result is a motley arrangement of old and new buildings dominating three to five blocks of Auckland city.

Highlights: IFSA-Butler offer integrated study at five universities in New Zealand. Unrivaled natural beauty combined with a rich cultural heritage make New Zealand an education all by itself. These beautiful surroundings coupled with high academic standards and scholastic excellence make a study abroad experience that is second to none.

Called Aotearoa by the native Maori people, New Zealand has long been lumped together with Australia as if the two were one and the same. In reality, New Zealand is vastly different from Australia and students will find the divergent histories and cultures of the island nation a fascinating topic of study, a topic which a student would be challenged to find anywhere else.

The academic year in New Zealand is reversed due to the seasonal inversion in the southern hemisphere. The academic year roughly follows the calendar year, beginning in late February and ending in late November. The application deadlines for IFSA-Butler programs in New Zealand are November 1 for the spring semester and academic year and March 1 for the fall semester. Remember that if you leave in February for your 'spring' semester, you will be arriving in New Zealand at the end of their summer and will stay until the middle of the winter season.

Cost in US$: Inquire for more info.

Experience Required: no