NZ Program Overview
From WildWiki
Program Description
The New Zealand semester program is an interdisciplinary off-campus program with an emphasis in environmental studies. New Zealand’s unique biogeography, progressive land management policies, and cultural dynamics make it an ideal location to examine the complexity and interrelatedness of environmental problems and challenges. With a combination of academic coursework and experiential field study, the program immerses students in the landscapes and communities of New Zealand’s north and south islands.
Co-sponsored by the International Programs Office and the Wilderness Program at Earlham, the New Zealand Semester will involve academic coursework in natural and cultural history and modern environmental issues as well as experiential learning in the form of service learning, outdoor education excursions such as hiking, canoeing, and sea kayaking, and an emphasis on self-reflection and community building. Just as environmental problem-solving cannot be reduced to one field of inquiry, the New Zealand semester will purposefully engage students holistically and encourage the development of multiple ways of knowing and learning.
Program Location
At the beginning of the program, students will spend time on the north island at the Quaker Settlement- a wonderful, environmentally conscious retreat center located in the town of Wanganui on the coast of the Tasman Sea. >From here, students will immerse themselves in the cultural history of New Zealand with a particular emphasis on Maori history and language. Several excursions are planned including a guided canoe trip through Wanaganui National Park- a site of great historical significance to the Maori as well as the scene of cultural conflict. From Wanganui, we will travel down to the South Island taking time to stop in the capital city of Wellington to learn more about New Zealand's political system as well as visit the world renowned Te Papa National Museum. The remainder of the program will be based in the south island city of Christchurch, taking advantage of the resources of the University of Canterbury as well as the remarkable surrounding natural environments. Students will stay with host-families during their time in Christchurch while also participating on experiential excursions to gain a deeper appreciation of New Zealand's biodiversity and culture. Planned excursions include visits to Maori communities (marae's), an extended farm-stay, and outdoor trips to several of the country's renowned national parks and wild areas.
