Programmes Title

Programme Information

Frontiers Abroad offers two New Zealand based study abroad programmes:

The Geology of New Zealand (Geology)
New Zealand Earth Systems (Earth Systems)

The programmes consist of a 5-week field camp experience and a semester at a university of their choosing; either the University of Auckland (Earth Systems) or University of Canterbury (Earth Systems and Geology). Students enroll in 4 courses during the semester. One of the courses is a compulsory research course based on field data collected during the field camp. Please refer to the individual project pages for more information or contact us at Darren@frontiersabroad.com

How To Apply

Please refer to the Application Process page

2011 Calendar

Earth Systems and Geology Field Camps

Earth Systems: 17 January - 19 February

Geology: 16 January - 19 February

Campus Semesters

University of Auckland

Orientation Week: 20 February
Semester 1 Begins: 2 March
Mid Semester Break: 6 April - 17 April
ANZAC Day: 25 April
Queen's Birthday: 1 June
Lectures End: 6 June
Study break/Exams: 6 June - 29 June
Semester 1 Ends: 29 June

University of Canterbury

Orientation Week: 16 February - 22February
Semester 1 Begins: 23 February
Easter Break: 10 March - 13 March
Mid Semester Break: 6 April - 24 April
ANZAC Day: 25
April Queen's Birthday: 1 June
Lectures End: 5 June
Study break/Exams: 8 June - 26 June
Semester 1 Ends: 27 June

Choosing your Courses

Whether participating in Geology or Earth Systems, Frontiers Abroad students choose 4 undergraduate courses for Semester 1. One of these courses will be a mandatory field and research course offered only to Frontiers Abroad students.

Courses are offered at Levels (stages) 1, 2 or 3. Level 1 courses are first year courses. Level 2 and 3 courses are progressively more advanced and more specialised. The first number of the course code shows the level of the course (eg. ENGLISH 201 is a Level 2 course). For Level 2 or Level 3 courses please check that you have met equivalent prerequisites at your home university and can supply certified descriptions of these courses if necessary. Frontiers Abroad will facilitate this process.

University of Auckland (Earth Systems)

For the complete list of all courses available during Semester 1 (S1) refer to the Course Website. You can also find additional information at the Faculty of Science website www.science.auckland.ac.nz for course offerings.

For course descriptions and prerequisite information, go to Course Catalogue.

University of Canterbury (Geology and Earth Systems)

For the complete list of all courses available during Semester 1 (S1) and their description and prerequisite information, refer to Courses and Subjects.

Transfer of Credit

Following the completed semester programme, Frontiers Abroad will provide a certified Lafayette College (Frontiers Abroad's School of Record) Transcript. University of Auckland or Canterbury academic transcript for the participating student. Students must have prior approval from their home institution to transfer credits from Lafayette College before accepting an offer of admission. Your application form contains an approval page that must be signed by your study abroad office or department head. If your school prefers a transcript from the University of Canterbury or Auckland please inform Frontiers Abroad as soon as possible.

2011 Tuition: $15,600 USD

Frontiers Abroad tuition includes all field camp costs, full semester tuition at the University of Auckland or University of Canterbury, and medical and travel insurance. Room and board in Auckland or Canterbury and travel to and from New Zealand are not included, but Frontiers Abroad will facilitate.

Please note: if you withdraw from a Frontiers Abroad programme after having paid your tuition and before the start of the programme, you will receive a refund minus a withdrawal fee of $1,000 USD. No refund is payable if you withdraw once the programme has commenced.

Living Costs

All field camp living costs are provided by Frontiers Abroad. Living costs (room and board) for the campus semester component of your programme are not included in the Frontiers Abroad tuition. However, Frontiers Abroad will help you with your choice of housing and facilitate the application process. For more information, refer to the excellent websites below for University of Auckland and University of Canterbury accommodation.

Auckland Living

Living costs can vary, but you should budget approximately NZ$8,000 for the semester (or NZ$400 per week) for general living costs including accommodation, food and transport.

Everything you need to know about University of Auckland accommodation can be found on their accommodation website.

Canterbury Living

Living costs in Christchurch are generally less than Auckland. Costs can vary, but you should budget approximately NZ$6000 for the semester (or NZ$300 per week).

Everything you need to know about University of Canterbury accommodation can be found on their accommodation website.

Medical and Travel Insurance

Medical and travel insurance is compulsory for all international students in New Zealand and is provided by Frontiers Abroad. The insurance provider is the same preferred provider recommended by both the University of Auckland and the University of Canterbury. For more information on Frontiers Abroad's medical and travel insurance, please contact us.

Please note: pre-existing conditions of health may not be covered by the insurer.

New Zealand Visa Information

International students are required to obtain the appropriate student visa to live and study in New Zealand. The Immigration New Zealand website www.immigration.govt.nz provides specific details of all documentation required to be supplied with your application for a student visa (download application form PDF now). Note, we will provide additional visa information upon acceptance to Frontiers Abroad's Programs.

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