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New Zealand Adventures

Explore, discover, and learn about the Maori people of New Zealand on epic adventures!

Program Details

This course will immerse you in understanding the Maori ways of health, activity, and recreations. We will explore similarities of how indigenous people of New Zealand and Utah have been treated by settlers, discover new ideologies about health, activity, and recreation, and learn how we can view the beauty of Utah and life in new ways. 

Selection Criteria: Any WSU enrolled student in any major.
Physical Fitness: Students will be asked to engage in a physical fitness program for them to accomplish an 8 mile (one way) hike for an overnight camping expedition.  Training program will be provided starting November with checks and prompts leading up to trip departure.  Students unable to complete physical fitness requirement will have the option to stay in Te Anau overnight rather than go on overnight expedition.

Destinations:

  • Christchurch, New Zealand
  • Dunedin, New Zealand
  • Te Anau, New Zealand
  • Aoraki, New Zealand

Program Dates:

April 26th - May 10th, 2025

Cost

Cost: $5,250.00 (Airfare Included)

Deposit: $500 Deposit is due 72 hours after registration. If not paid in that timeframe, you may be dropped from your trip.

Included: round trip airfare, insurance, tuition, housing, airfare, transportation, and excursions. 

NOT Included: passport, ETA, incidentals, excess baggage costs, any unscheduled travel, and meals.

Must be paid in full prior to program departure

Deposit is due 72 hours after registration. If not paid in that timeframe, you may be dropped from your trip.

Payments can now be made online! Visit this website for instructions on how to pay your deposit and future payments online. Charges should show on your account within 24-48 hours after registration. If you want to pay with cash or check, please pay at the Hurst Center for Lifelong Learning.

Itinerary

*Itinerary is subject to change*

Pre-Trip : Canvas Sandbox (non-credit learning)

November 1, 2024 - April 23, 2025 : Pre-trip preparations and completion of Canvas Learning Units.
April 26, 2025 : Depart SLC
April 28 : Arrive in Christchurch; Student choices exploring Christchurch (Botanical Gardens, Maori Historical Sites, City Mall, etc.) and flight recovery day. 
April 29 : Travel to Dunedin with stop and learning in Timaru.  In Timaru visit and explore Teana Rock Art Center to learn about Maori culture and rock art.  Excursion to local pictograph sites with guide.  Begin pictograph assignment. 
April 30 : University of Otago Learning Experience #1; Afternoon excursions.
May 1 : University of Otago Learning Experience #2; Afternoon excursions.
May 2 : University of Otago Learning Experience #3; Afternoon excursions.
May 3 : Maori Indigenous Learning Experience -Karitāne Māori Tours
May 4 :Travel to Te Anau (Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park and Motels; Acheron building (single rooms with shared facilities), Explore Te Anau, laundry, grocery shopping, and gear obtaining for Luxmore Hut.  Visit and explore glowworm caves
May 5 : Hike and overnight camp Kepler Track staying at Luxmore Hut.
May 6 : Return hike to Te Anau (morning); Rest and explore Te Anua, possible afternoon optional excursion to Rainbow Reach Trail Head hike.
May 7 : Early departure (7:30 am) to Milford Sound.  Stop along the way to view Te Anau Downs Historic Site, Eglinton Valley, and Mirror Lakes.  Milford Sound boat tour 1:30 pm Southern Discoveries Milford Sound Discover More Cruise
May 8 :Travel to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and hike Hooker Valley Track
May 9 : Hike Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier Walks; Travel to Christchurch for departure, evening in Christchurch; Artifact collection for Te Whare Tapa Wha and pictograph creation
May 10 : Return to SLC

Academic Courses

Students who participate in this study abroad program will be able to register for 3 credits in one of the following:

- HLTH 4920

- NUTR 4920

- ESS 4920

- 3 CH Independent Study courses as approved by Programs/Departments: please reach out to program leaders for clarification.

Program Directors

  • Dr. James Zagrodnik -  jameszagrodnik@weber.edu
  • Dr. Stacie Wing-Gaia - swinggaia@weber.edu

 

Trip Cancellations

If Weber State cancels a trip for any reason, all participants will be refunded 100% of funds paid to the school. If a participant withdraws from the program for any reason, they are subject to the refund policy found on the first page of the application.  Deposits are always non-refundable, unless the program is canceled by Weber State.  No refunds will be issued 30 days prior to program start date. 

Refunds will NOT be given to students due to COVID-19 concerns. Before programs were canceled in 2020, every student was given the option to withdraw from programs without penalty due to COVID-19. This year students are applying, cognizant of the pandemic. Weber State will not intentionally place students into high risk situations. We will work together with Program Leaders and Departments on canceling should the destination demonstrate increased risks, be they from COVID or any other concern. As such, students must abide by the standard refund policy.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Study Abroad Office at (801) 626-8715.