New Zealand

Dates: June 11 through July 5, 2011

 

For approximately the first two weeks of the program, U.S. teachers will be placed on an individual basis with host teachers in classrooms in New Zealand while at the same time staying as guests in their hosts' homes. Our goal is to match our teachers with hosts based on grade level or content area; however, placements are subject to availability and perfect matches cannot be guaranteed. It is the school and home experience that make this program unique - professional and personal experiences with people in their culture.

During the third week of the program, teachers will explore the history and culture of New Zealand on an independent basis or in small groups. The expenses during this week are not covered in the cost of the program.

At the end of the third week on Thursday night, June 30, 2011, the U.S. teachers will come together for an educational seminar at a location in or near the Auckland area. This four-day seminar will include guest presentations on educational practices and culture, a general sharing of readings, fieldwork observations, travel experiences, and a cultural activity. The program officially ends at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, July 5, 2011.

Travel to New Zealand should start no later than Saturday, June 11 and should not depart Auckland any earlier than Tuesday, July 5 (the official last day of this program). Note that you can extend your travel beyond this date at your own cost.

Placements are available in each of the following areas:

Auckland Area/North Island

AUCKLAND on the North Island of New Zealand sprawls over a narrow isthmus between the sparkling waters of the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours earning the nickname "City of Sails." Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, has a population of 1.4 million people having close to one-third of New Zealand’s total population. A cloak of rainforest covers the surrounding hills, dozens of dormant volcanic cones dot the landscape and enchanting islands are scattered throughout the vast Hauraki Gulf. Auckland's heart beats to a Polynesian rhythm, its people a melting pot of South Pacific and Asian cultures and a strong indigenous Maori heritage. This diversity brings with it an abundance of unique educational experiences including New Zealand’s child-centered school system.

Dunedin Area/South Island

DUNEDIN on the South Island of New Zealand stands on the hills and valleys surrounding Otago Harbour and is widely regarded as the best preserved Victorian and Edwardian heritage city in the southern hemisphere. The harbour and hills are the remnants of an extinct volcano. Otago Peninsula is renowned for the world’s only mainland albatross breeding colony at Taiaroa Head and various other ocean bird, seal and penguin species, including one of the world’s rarest, the yellow-eyed penguin. Dunedin is the second-largest city on the South Island with a population of 125, 000.

Whangarei Area/North Island

WHANGAREI on the North Island of New Zealand has an urban population of 52,000 and is located two hours north of Auckland. It is a developing, modern and vibrant city in the centre of a district of fertile farmlands, orchards, with native and exotic forests. Whangarei is surrounding by a stunning deepwater harbour with some of New Zealand’s finest beaches including the sparkling white sands of the Bream Bay or Tutukaka coastlines. The Maori translation of Whangarei is “Bountiful Land.”

Paihia - Bay of Islands Area/North Island

The Bay of Islands is four hours north of Auckland. Paihia is the main tourist town in the Bay of Islands and Russell was the first permanent European settlement and sea port in New Zealand. Both are in the far north of the North Island of New Zealand. Paihia and Russell are located close to the historic towns of Waitangi and Kerikeri. The Waitangi treaty grounds are close by as are the Kauri forest, 90 Mile Beach and whale/dolphin watching. The Bay of Islands area is one of the most popular fishing, sailing and tourist destinations in the country, and has been renowned internationally for its big-game fishing since American author Zane Grey publicized it in the 1930s.

Cost: $3,900*
Fee includes six graduate credits, three seminars (travel to on-campus seminar not included), placement fees to in-country liaisons, first night's lodging in Auckland or Dunedin, ground transportation to placement sites, room and board in host homes, a five-day educational seminar including lodging and a cultural experience/activity on New Zealand’s North Island and UW System emergency insurance coverage (CISI). Expenses during the week of individual or small group travel are not included.

* Please note that we have not included roundtrip airfare in the cost of the trip. This will allow for greater flexibility for individual travelers and could result in lower airfare costs.

For questions or to request an application packet, please contact Terry Behlke at 1-800-621-5376 (toll-free), 262-472-1003 (direct) or cetravelstudy@uww.edu