Focus on New Zealand

  New Zealand

• Wellington: 
Wellington

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Dates: inquire for specific dates

Description: Everyone knows New Zealand's landscape of glaciers, geysers, volcanoes, mountains, beaches, and islands from the big screen, but experiencing the country's immenseness and beauty firsthand is staggering. New Zealand consists of two islands divided by Cook Strait. The North Island boasts volcanoes, hot springs, mud pools, geysers, and beautiful beaches, while the South Island has rugged Alpine mountains, glaciers, and access to activities like swimming with dolphins and whale-watching. New Zealand has two predominant cultures: the European (or Pakeha) and the Maori. These two influence each other to create unique traditions and art. There is also a Pacific Island influence, a growing Asian culture, as well as a plethora of other minority groups, which makes for a diverse mix of cuisine, music, art and architecture. Sports and the outdoors play a huge part in the life of a Kiwi, as New Zealanders are affectionately called. The most notable of these are rugby, cricket, soccer, bush-walking, tramping, snow-sports, water-sports, netball, and basketball. Dinner is the main meal, and if it's a special occasion, you may get the opportunity to experience the traditional Maori way of cooking food- a hangi, similar to a Hawaiian luau, where meat and vegetables are baked in an underground oven for several hours.

Highlights: Year and Semester Programs:
The school year runs from February through December, with three two-week breaks and a long summer holiday of about six weeks in December and January. Students are usually placed in public schools, in the equivalent grades of junior or senior. Five subjects are studied; of these, English and mathematics are compulsory and the other three are academic and/or practical. There are also optional classes which will be new to many U.S. students, such as outdoor recreation, tourism, agriculture and catering, sports clubs, Maori kapa haka cultural groups, choir, and drama clubs. Almost every Kiwi teen is involved in some sort of sport, but in addition to the passion for being active, you'll discover your friends enjoy music, movies, festivals, theater, or just meeting in cafés or at social gatherings. There is an optional tour of the North or South Island during holidays, in addition to regular AFS Orientations and local AFS Chapter activities.

Summer Homestay Outdoor Education Program:
Rock climbing, canoeing, caving, whitewater rafting, and hiking- all led by professional guides and how's that for adventure? You'll spend three weeks at a camp with fun and rigorous outdoor activities, which will also develop your leadership, decision-making, and teamwork skills. In the four weeks that follow, you'll live with a host family and participate in volunteer projects as you explore what it's like to be a member of a family and community in New Zealand.

Cost in US$: $7,900 - $10,900

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview Required
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home
• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

AFS Intercultural Programs's Mission Statement: AFS Intercultural Programs is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. AFS Intercultural Programs is a leader in intercultural learning and offers international exchange programs in over 50 countries around the world through independent, not-for-profit AFS organizations, each with a network of volunteers, a professionally staffed office, and headed up by a volunteer board.

Year Founded: 1947