Student Abroad Handbook -- How to Get There... and Back

Introduction

Why Study in New Zealand?

Why Learn Maori?

Advice for Parents

Choosing a Program

Finding a Quality Program

Selecting the Right Program for You

Who Runs Your Program?

Financing Study Abroad

Application Process

Practical Information

Pre-Departure Planning

How Foreign Laws Apply To You

Communication While
Abroad

Housing

Packing

Expectations

Health & Safety

Medical Care and Insurance

Basic Health and Safety

Risk Factors and Strategies to Reduce Risk

Special Issues

Crisis Management

Adjustments/Culture Shock

Coming Home

Airport Safety, Duties, and Customs

Reverse Culture Shock

Making the Study Abroad Experience Count at Home

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Study Abroad FIPSE U.S. Department of Education

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Study Abroad Handbook

Finding a Quality Program

Important Links to Remember

In this section, you will get some helpful tools and advice on how to select the best study abroad program for you. You have a variety of programs to choose from in New Zealand; they include: language academies, traditional universities, cultural tours and eco-adventures. Prior to participating, students and their parents should take time to look at the different programs available for study abroad.

One of the advantages of studying in New Zealand is that tertiary institutions have been mandated by the New Zealand Ministry of Education to implement a Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students. The Code, which came into force on March 31, 2002, establishes a framework for minimum standards, good practice procedures and a complaints procedure for providers enrolling international students. To view the Code, you may visit the New Zealand Ministry of Education website (under Information for Tertiary Education Providers).

One of the main reasons students cite for not studying abroad is that they start the planning process too late and miss the opportunity. The earlier you start researching programs, the better chance you will have to study abroad, include the coursework in your on-campus degree program, and graduate on time. The simplest way to find an appropriate study abroad program in New Zealand is to look at programs available through your home campus; home campus faculty and staff can help you through the process.

Some Tools for Finding a Program:

	U.S. Home Campus Study Abroad Office/Resource Center: The best place to look for a study abroad program in New Zealandis your U.S. home campus study abroad office (where available). The staff can help you through the process of finding a program, applying, participating, and returning home.
Websites: There are a number of websites with information about available study abroad programs in New Zealand. Some websites we recommend are: Studyabroad.com, Goabroad.com,and IIE Passport.	Reference Books: The following are comprehensive reference books which are updated each year: Peterson's Study Abroad, Peterson's Summer Study Abroad, IIE Academic Year Abroad, and IIE Short-Term Study Abroad. They include detailed explanations and descriptions of many study abroad programs in New Zealand.

…Detailed Study Abroad Search:

What country do you want to study in?

What type of subject do you want to take?

What term do you want to study in?

Asking the Right Questions:

The following is a list of questions to ask when looking for an appropriate study abroad program in New Zealand. Along with speaking with program administrators in the United States, we suggest you speak with students who have participated in a study abroad program in New Zealand. You may also seek out other people to speak to including staff, faculty or other students from your institution, who are either from New Zealand or have studied in New Zealand. If possible, speak directly with a program administrator in New Zealand to find out the strengths and weaknesses of their program.

Courses Available: What courses can be taken in New Zealand? Will they be taught by U.S. home campus professors or foreign university faculty or locals? What credentials do they have? Have they taught U.S. students before? Is the set-up in a traditional classroom?
Transfer Credit: Will courses taken in New Zealand count towards your U.S. degree program (major, minor, language, general education, etc.)?
Housing: Is housing provided as part of the program? Is it in an international university dorm? With a family/home stay? In an apartment? What part of the city? How far from where the courses are offered? Near public transportation?
Cost: What are the costs of the program, including tuition, administrative fees, room and board, international travel, in-country travel and excursions, extra costs, etc.?
Location: Where in the city are the program office/courses located? Is it in a modern city, a rural location, or a developing area with limited resources?
Duration: Is the program available for a year, semester, quarter, summer, short-term? How will the season and schedule compare to those at your U.S. home campus?
Language: Do you want to study in a language other than English? How much prior language training is required? What type of language training is offered? Are courses offered in English, Maori or indigenous languages?
Support Services: Does your U.S. home campus provide academic advisement and counseling to students through program orientations (some campuses require that all students take a semester-long course before studying abroad)? What types of support services and administrative offices are in place in New Zealand?
Safety: Is there someone at the program's U.S. office and in New Zealand who is specifically responsible for students' health and safety? What policies and procedures do they have in place? Do they have an emergency/evacuation plan?
Program Evaluations: Can you see program evaluations from other students who participated in the past?
Application Deadline Dates: What are the deadline dates to apply for the program? If you miss a deadline, can you apply late?
Deposits: Do you need to make any initial or non-refundable deposits in order to guarantee you a place in the program, etc.?

In addition to the above, there may be other, personal matters and questions you wish to discuss with program administrators before making any final decisions. Make sure to look through the rest of the Handbook for more health and safety information on studying abroad in New Zealand.

GlobalScholar.us: Go to Course 1, Module 2, Task 1 � " Find the Right Program" to find a quality program and see what options you have.

AllAbroad.us � Deciding on a Program: Mentors address the most important issues around deciding on a program.

Questions | Checklist | Resources