Study Abroad in New Zealand: Adventures in Culture, Health and Environment
May 29 – June 22, 2010 (6 credits)
New Zealand includes some of the most impressively beautiful and diverse landscapes on earth, with towering snow-capped mountains, massive temperate and tropical forests with unique wildlife, active volcanoes, geysers and hot-springs and expanses of dramatic and peaceful beaches. Also culturally diverse and unique, New Zealand is home to many Pacific Island groups, including the indigenous Maori.
Our interdisciplinary summer study abroad program focuses on health and the environment from a broad social, cultural and ecological perspective. This is a traveling program, where you get to experience many parts of the country through excursions and activities. Senior ASU faculty travel with the group, and we also use local guides.
The 23-day New Zealand program travels from the south to north of the country, and some of the planned features include Maori and Pacific Island healing workshops, one- to two-day farmstays, guided kayaking, vineyard tours, dolphin swims, geothermal exploring and museums. We build in a small research component in most years; all courses are experiential, and get us out and about as much as possible. The schedule is designed also to support additional optional adventures on free days.
An easy stopover between New Zealand and the U.S., participants also have the option of an 8-day Fiji extension of the program. In this warm, friendly and stunning tropical Pacific Island nation, we spend our time in research and experiential activities related to developing sustainable health and environmental solutions in indigenous Fijian off-shore island, coastal and highland communities.
The estimated fee for 2010 for the New Zealand program is $2,995, which covers all accommodation, excursions, cultural events, insurance, ground transportation and some meals. Tuition (6 credit hours), international airfare (approximately $1,300) and remaining meals are additional.
The estimated program fee for the Fiji option is $1,295 (covering in-country transport, activities and most meals), and airfare is $150 additional if flying from New Zealand, or about $1,000 otherwise. Tuition (3 credit hours) is also additional. 
Courses are all designed to be suitable for non-majors and students from a wide range of backgrounds or with no prior health or environment experience, and usually have prerequisites waived. Course options include:
- ASB 410/SSH 400/WST 410 Poverty, Social Justice & Global Health (3)
Fulfills CLAS Science & Society; also fulfills General
Studies (L or SB) & G
- ASB 443/SSH 403 Cross-Cultural Studies in Global Health (3)
Fulfills CLAS Science & Society; also fulfills General
Studies SB & G
- ASM 414/SSH 414 Urban and Environmental Health (3)
Fulfills CLAS Science & Society; also fulfills General
Studies SB
- SSH 514 Urban and Environmental Health (3)
Call for applications opens in October and closes in early March. Places in the program are awarded in the order of application, so early application is always advised to be sure of securing a space. 
For more information, e-mail or call the School of Human Evolution and Social Change's study abroad program assistant at (480) 965-1366.
