New Zealand: Maymester

South Island: Sustaining Human Societies and the Natural Environment

Maymester 2010 (May 9 - June 3, 2010) $2850

6 Credits (no pre-requisites)

Overview

This is an educational study tour of the national parks, forests, mountains, coastline, and fiords of New Zealand exploring natural systems and their conservation and management through field, class, and travel experiences. It is a field studies course in natural resources and conservation during Maymester and offers 6 credits with no pre-requisites.

We also offer a 3 credit additional option to Fiji and/or Sydney designed to fit with this Maymester program. See our Fiji and Sydney programs for further details.

Credits & Costs

6 credits, no pre-requisites or co-requisites for ALL MAJORS

Credit is available at the undergraduate and graduate levels in one or more of the following disciplines:

Anthropology (ANTH) 4271/6271
Ecology (ECOL) 4271/6271
Forestry (FORS) 4271/6271
Geography (GEOG) 4271/6271
International Affairs (INTL) 4271/6271
Recreation & Leisure Studies (RLST) 4271/6271

4271 courses are for undergraduate students and fulfill 3000+ level elective requirements for UGA students.

6271 courses are for graduates and honors students.

Students attend lectures and participate in field studies that take an interdisciplinary perspective.

Program cost includes all accommodation, excursions, cultural events, insurance, ground transportation in luxury coaches, and some meals. Tuition (HOPE applies and out-of-state students pay in-state tuition) and international airfare (group rate available) are additional.

Description

New Zealand's South Island is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful islands in the world, with snow capped mountains rising 14,000 feet out of the sea, the largest fields in the world, rainforest and tropical birds, massive glaciers carving their way to the ocean, active volcanoes, geysers and hot springs, glowworm glens, and vast expanses of South Pacific beaches and reefs. New Zealand's isolation has spurred the development of a unique natural heritage: plants and animals have evolved that are unknown anywhere else.

Our program will focus on the conservation and management of these extraordinary natural resources, including cultural and especially indigenous Maori perspectives. During the first 10 days of the program we will be based at the University of Canterbury in historic Christchurch, touted as one of the most beautiful cities in New Zealand. Then onto a 15-day field trip exploring the South Island by luxury coach and experiencing natural resource conservation in New Zealand first-hand. We will explore marine wildlife of the Continental Shelf at Kaikoura, overnight sea kayak the Abel Tasman National Park, hike in Mount Cook National Park, boat cruise Milford Sound in Fiordland National Parks, hike on Fox Glacier, feast on a Maori hangi, and visit the geological wonders of Paparoa National Park. These activities are included in the program cost.

The program is suitable for students from a wide variety of backgrounds, and no prior resource conservation knowledge is assumed. In previous years, students from institutions across Georgia and elsewhere (and from diverse departments including Journalism, Business, Communications, Management, History, Latin, and Animal Science as well as Forestry and Anthropology) have participated and succeeded in the program.

Application Details

We also offer a 3-credit additional option to Fiji or Sydney designed to fit with this Maymester program. See our Fiji and Sydney programs for further details.