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Location
  • New Zealand
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
Term
Summer
Subject Areas
Conservation and Preservation Cultural Studies Earth Sciences Ecology Geography Geology Natural Sciences

Program Details

Program Type
Direct Enrollment
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Apartment
Language
English

Pricing

Price Details
Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD): $706.10
International Tuition Fees (NZD): $3,085.10
What's Included
Accommodation Meals Some Activities Travel Insurance Wifi
What's Included (Extra)

Cost includes:
- Tuition
- Insurance
- Accommodation and food for three weeks
- Field trips

What's Not Included
Airfare Airport Transfers
Jul 09, 2019
Aug 28, 2017
Wish List
5 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

The International School provides international students with a unique opportunity to study the New Zealand environment and culture, while you travel, explore & earn credit alongside kiwi students.

Located among the natural beauty of New Zealand’s spectacular South Island, Otago is the perfect choice for study abroad. With abundant wildlife, jaw-dropping scenery, great cafes and nightlife all within walking distance from campus, Dunedin has an energy and atmosphere that you’ll only find at Otago.

Learn about the physical and cultural geography of the southern South Island of New Zealand during this three week intensive course that generally runs from June through to July. The 12 points paper includes classwork and field trips followed by an independent study period which can be completed from anywhere in the world.

This program is no longer offered. View more programs from University of Otago.

Video and Photos

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Field trips to learn about New Zealand's geography and geology
Experience New Zealand's outdoors whilst gaining knowledge and learning
Otago University - recognised as one of the 16 most beautiful campuses in the world
Travel on field trips to Queenstown - the adventure capital of the world

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Program Highlights

  • Study Abroad for three weeks in New Zealand's South Island.
  • Learn about NZ's physical and cultural geography.
  • Field Trips, Classwork and Independent Study.
  • Make lasting friendships and memorable experiences.
  • Full-credit paper worth 3 US Semester Credits / 6 ECTS.

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Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 4 reviews
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  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.25
  • Support 4.75
  • Fun 5
  • Housing 5
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Katherine
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Once in a lifetime experience

Aug 28, 2017

I highly recommend this program and would do it all over again. I believe it was the perfect length of three weeks, where you could get away during the summer, not miss any schooling, and travel the world. New Zealand is one of the most beautiful places in the world to go and I already want to go back. The people and staff are amazing there, very helpful, and I felt very safe everywhere I went and at all times. I recommend traveling when you can on the weekends and road tripping with the friends that you will meet there and friendships that will last a lifetime. The course if great, including lots of field trips and diving into the culture there. One of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. Also 100% recommend sky diving and the canyon swing and snowboarding.

What would you improve about this program?
I think this program could be improved by making maybe a week longer or encouraging travel before or after.
58 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
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Allison
29
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

GEOG 285

Aug 27, 2017

I completed the GEOG 285- Landscaping and Geography course and it exceeded all of my expectations! This three week program was the perfect mix of exploring, scenery, learning, and exhilaration. There is a great balance between school and fun and the field trips are remarkable. There is also enough time during weekends to go on personal trips. This class offers the opportunity of a lifetime and I loved every second of it. I had the chance to truly experience learning abroad and I met many cool people throughout the endeavor. The University of Otago is a beautiful campus with incredible staff who are friendly and welcoming. I highly recommend this program and would do it again in a heartbeat!

What would you improve about this program?
The only improvement I would make to the program is adding on a few more weeks!
60 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Milford Sound
Lake Wakatipu
Moeraki Boulders
Te Anau, NZ
Default avatar
Claudia
28
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great program with great support!

Aug 17, 2017

This program is a perfect way to fit in that study abroad experience into your busy college schedule! I took a geography of the South Island course during my time on this program and learned so much while on fantastic adventures and meeting amazing people. Three weeks was a short time but we still managed to pack in plenty. Several of my classmates and myself even stayed for awhile afterwards for further independent travel on that side of the world. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone looking for a fun and informative stuff abroad experience!

What would you improve about this program?
I would have loved the course to last a bit longer than 3 weeks!
65 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Milford Sound
Southern Alps
Tunnel Beach
Default avatar
Ryan
28
Male
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Unforgettable Experience

Aug 16, 2017

If you have a busy schedule at your home institution and can only fit in a short summer abroad program then this is just right for you. The 3 weeks that you are in New Zealand you will meet people from all different places and backgrounds that will leave a positive impact on you and help you to see the world from a global perspective. One thing I highly recommend is taking road trips with friends you meet in the program, as the trips I took with my new buddies throughout the beautiful landscapes of the south island will always be some of my most cherished memories. If you are worried about being there during the southern hemisphere's winter, rest assured that the landscapes are still verdant and gorgeous and the skiing and snowboarding should be great too. If you're looking for a summer abroad program that breaks from traditional study abroad norms and will lend you lifelong friendships and memories from the other side of the world, then look no further!

What would you improve about this program?
Make it a week or two longer
62 people found this review helpful.
Helpful

Questions & Answers

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Croisella Trengrove

Program
University of Otago Intl. School: 3 Week Program
Job Title
Deputy Head of University of Otago Flats
Croisella is originally from French Pass in the Marlborough Sounds, a must go to part of the beautiful South Island. Croisella has an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Canterbury, and also has a Certificate in Wool from Lincoln University where she studied sheep and learnt to be a wool classer! Now living in Dunedin and working at the University of Otago Croisella has a daughter who is an IT graduate and works for a mining company and a son who is a student at the University of Otago.

About the University of Otago Flats:

The University of Otago flats were developed to specifically cater for study abroad and exchange students staying for just one or two semesters. International students have the unique opportunity to live the local student lifestyle, and additionally university staff endeavor to place at least one local student “Kiwi host” in each University Flat. They are fully furnished with private rooms and shared common areas.

What language have you always wanted to learn?

female headshot

Croisella: As a child I wanted to learn French, and I had two years of French at High School, which really helped me last year when I went to France. However, the language I would most like to learn now is Maori, one of the three official languages of New Zealand. (English, Maori, and Sign Language). International students can take Maori 110 at Otago and learn Maori too :)

What is the best story that you have heard from a return student?

Croisella: That they want to come back to Otago and study as a Post Graduate! That they are missing us! and we have frequent stories of Kiwi Hosts going overseas and staying with their international flatmates, one of our RAs stayed with 25 different students she had met here at Otago as a Kiwi Host when she went on Exchange herself to North America!

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Croisella: I often say to staff and students alike that at the end of the day the students are our clients, if we don’t have students then we don’t have a job – it’s quite simple really! International students are my department’s life blood, we love them! It naturally follows that good customer service is huge! We try the very best we can to ensure that our residents have a safe and happy time with us.

We have after hours pastoral care and maintenance staff, we work in closely with our wonderful 24/7 Campus Watch security staff and we help students who are homesick, unwell, injured, struggling academically, having relationship issues etc. Our maintenance men can even help out with bicycle repairs and car maintenance from time to time as well!

two college students

What unique qualities does the University of Otago Flats have?

Croisella: Perhaps the most unique quality that University of Otago Flats have are our Kiwi Hosts, New Zealand students who flat with our international students. We house our international students in individual flats of around 4-6 residents and try to always have one Kiwi Host in the flat. The Kiwi Hosts help international settle into life at Otago and can help interpret the local lingo for internationals as well as show them around campus, Dunedin, and sometimes the wider Otago region – and generally help them enjoy their Otago Experience!

Another quality unique to Uni Flats are...Dee and Tumua, the Community Support Co-ordinators, who I work with -- pictured here! They arrange our functions and events and are also go to people for residents who might need a little bit of help with things.

About University of Otago

Find Study Abroad programs at the University of Otago - New Zealand's First University! Located in Australasia's true College city with the best access to New Zealand's beautiful scenery.

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