Study Abroad

Current Study Abroad Opportunities

Past Study Abroad Trips

New Zealand – Sustainability

This three and a half-week experiential program will examine resource conservation and the natural, and related social, history of New Zealand’s South Island. In this course you’ll use New Zealand as a case study to examine different cultural perspectives on the three pillars of sustainability: environment, social equity, and economics. The program travels to many of the stunning national parks, forests, wildlife reserves, and coastlines of New Zealand to learn from knowledgeable local experts and practitioners, including professors at Lincoln University, the University of Canterbury, and Otago University, government officials (e.g., Department of Conservation staff), iwi (M?ori tribes), and scientific research bodies (e.g., Landcare Research).

The program follows a circular route around the South Island, stopping at a diversity of ecosystems along the way. City time includes days in Christchurch, which is one of Lonely Planet’s Top 40 places to see in 2014 due to its innovative rebuild after a series of devastating earthquakes, and the quaint university-oriented Dunedin. Meanwhile, Aoraki/Mount Cook, the country’s highest mountain, and the wild West Coast provide rugged landscapes to learn about alpine ecology and geology and glaciology. And field studies along the coastal areas of Kaikoura, where you can swim with a pod of wild dusky dolphins, and Abel Tasman National Park, where you will kayak and hike along golden sand beaches, offer lessons about the effects of tourism on the natural environment.

Program Highlights

  • Swimming with dolphins, walking to a glacier, hiking through alpine meadows, and cruising below towering waterfalls – get to work on that bucket list!
  • Everywhere you go on New Zealand’s South Island, the scenery is jaw-dropping. You will feel like you stepped onto the scene of a “The Lord of the Rings” movie!
  • Are you looking for an active study abroad adventure? This program includes hiking, kayaking, swimming, and more.
  • If you are more of a culture vulture, you’ll enjoy an overnight stay at a traditional Māori iwi (tribes) marae (meeting house), the exciting buzz of rebuilding Christchurch, and catching a concert or show in artsy Dunedin.
  • There are more sheep than people in New Zealand. Visit a sheep farm and see how shearing happens and dog work the flock.
  • Give something back by helping with a service learning project that will contribute to the rebuilding of one of Christchurch’s badly damaged communities.

For all programs, students apply directly to the university offering credit. Please click on the university link for the program that you wish to attend.

For more information view the Frostburg State University study abroad page

Photos from New Zealand Sustainability Trip

Group enjoying New Zeland
Snowy New Zeland they built a snowman
Trip to New Zeland