AFS Intercultural Programs: New Zealand High School Program

  New Zealand

• Wellington: 
Wellington

Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: year High School (Spring): Jan. 2011- Jan. 2012; Semester High School (Spring): Jan. 2011- Jul. 2011;Summer Community Service: Jun/Jul. 2010- Aug. 2010

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:

Experience the day-to-day life of native New Zealanders by attending a local high school and living with a host family. You will have the opportunity to live in a rural to semi-rural community. AFS students are placed throughout New Zealand.

Summer Homestay Outdoor Education and Community Service 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$: Year: (USD 11,500); Semester: (USD 9,500); Short Summer: (USD 8,300)

This Program is open to American Participants.

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview Required
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

AFS Intercultural Programs/USA'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