South Pacific Semester: Environmental Conservation & Leadership | Carpe Diem Education
Location
Multiple Locations +2
- New Zealand
- Australia
Length
4 - 12 weeks
Need-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans
Health & Safety
May 29, 2024
Dec 08, 2022
120 travelers are looking at this program
About Program
Spend a gap semester in Australia and New Zealand: located in the heart of the South Pacific, each is uniquely informed by indigenous cultures, European colonization, and diverse ecosystems. Both nations highlight the ever-evolving relationships between indigenous cultures and colonizing forces and the challenges of balancing environmental conservation with the economics of industry and tourism. Both island nations also offer ample opportunities for outdoor adventures in some of the most picturesque regions in the world!
Explore the majestic Abel Tasman region of New Zealand, with lush mountain valleys and iconic ocean shores, and Australia's largest tropical rainforest and stunning beaches. Carpe Diem Education provides a unique opportunity to explore these island nations, learn about cultural and environmental conservation, develop leadership skills, and seek adventure through hiking, biking, canoeing, scuba diving, and other outdoor pursuits.
Video and Photos
Diversity & Inclusion
We recognize that we are a long way from the diversity we aim for within our students, staff, and partners. We want and need more diversity to truly become the organization we would like to be. We recognize that this will not happen overnight or without dedicating time, attention, and resources. To that end, we have created a strategic plan to address our current shortfalls and to make significant improvements, which you can see on our Diversity & Inclusion page.
At Carpe Diem, each applicant reads through our extensive Essential Eligibility Criteria prior to enrollment. This criteria allows applicants to determine if the organization is an appropriate fit for their gap semester/year goals and their individual needs. During the interview and application process, we have honest and direct conversations with students and families about the support that our staff is able to provide throughout the program experience. We are committed to creating a culture of acceptance and support. To that end, our Overseas Educators and local leaders are selected for their skill in group facilitation and promoting inclusive group dynamics.
At Carpe Diem, each applicant reads through our extensive Essential Eligibility Criteria prior to enrollment. This criteria allows applicants to determine if the organization is an appropriate fit for their gap semester/year goals and their individual needs. We have honest and open conversations with applicants about our ability to support individual needs on each program, with the ultimate goal of a healthy and successful experience for all students. In the past, we have worked with students with severe allergies, diabetes, chronic injuries, and mental health diagnoses. We know each student's journey is individual and we work with families to support these individual needs where possible to help determine if the program is a good fit for their gap semester goals.
Impact
We are committed to maximizing the net positive impact while minimizing the carbon footprint of every program. In our office, on our programs, and through our carbon offset match, our programs are geared toward environmental education to empower future leaders to move their communities to take action. During our programs, students learn more about their impact as individuals and a travel community - then take a solution-oriented lens to tackling key issues. We also contribute to and amplify the voices of organizations and partners who focus on permaculture, natural building, and sustainable solutions.
Our programs are designed to connect to our local communities and provide reciprocal exchange and engagement. Through engaging in experiential education, community engagement, and intercultural exchange, our students develop enhanced perspectives, deeper cultural understanding, and a profound sense of self-discovery and personal growth. We work with vetted local providers to build their businesses as they provide value to our students and programming. With our homestay families, we ensure we minimize our footprint by regularly rotating the communities we work with and evaluating our social impact alongside their community leaders.
Program Highlights
- Engage with conservationists: Work with farmers and scientists to explore the effects of climate change, regenerative agriculture, and sustainable living
- Find your courage: Develop your leadership skills during a series of wild outdoor adventures, juxtaposed with intentional retreat
- Delve into social justice: Learn from the Māori communities and develop context and history for how indigenous traditions intersect with modern life
- Get outside: NZ and Australia were made for the adventurers - mountain bike, raft, hike, kayak, canoe, and explore this diverse region
- Positive change: As is the Carpe Diem way, take time to reflect on the challenges you witness and how you can contribute to making the world a better place
Questions & Answers
Alumni Interviews
These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.
Staff Interviews
These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.
Response from Carpe Diem Education
Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective on this trip. As an organization, we are committed to the safety of our students first and foremost and to provide the best experience possible. We are committed to learning from situations, to improve our organization and it’s practices for the benefit of future students.
The Overseas Educators (leaders) are one of the instrumental elements of our programs, and we can take ownership in that the two leaders of this particular trip did not live up to what we expect of our staff. At Carpe Diem we hire the best staff, vetted, and do the most thorough training in the industry. In this case the staff represented some of the best past reviews and had a lot of relevant previous work experience.
We're sorry your student had such a rough experience and based on feedback we no longer work with either of these staff. Sadly, and with a hand on our head, the challenge is creating a co-worker relationship and we are very much debating how to do this even better.
We pride ourselves on our extremely high safety standards, medical protocols, and continuous advocacy for what is in the students best interest. We are disappointed to hear that you do not feel these were met and would be open to scheduling a time to discuss this further and learn how we can continue to improve in this process.
-Carpe Diem Education