Winter Break 2009-10

December 19, 2009 - January 10, 2010

Sponsored by the College of Natural Science

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

Explore the diverse islands of New Zealand - alpine meadows to ocean surf and glaciers to thermal hot springs – in this exciting winter break program!

Located between Antarctica and Australia, the North and South islands of New Zealand offer students a unique location to learn about environmental science.  Diverse geographic features that include glaciers, volcanoes, thrust fault mountains, geothermal hot springs, coastal zones, marine and fresh water ecosystems, alpine tundra, swamp forests, grasslands, and major paleontologic sites offer students the chance to explore a plethora of environmental issues in a limited area. 

Students will hike through various areas to explore major environmental and geologic features and will observe several endangered species such as the Kiwi, Little Blue and Yellow-eyed Penguins, Royal Albatross, the Tuatara and the Blue Duck and see how New Zealanders are working to protect their habitats and preserve their natural treasures.  Hike through caves, swim in the ocean, kayak in a lagoon and much more.  Additionally, students will interact with people from all over the world while meeting the Kiwis, who are some of the friendliest people in the world.

No place in the United States offers the diversity in habitats that can be observed in New Zealand!

What can I study?

Students will spend the vast majority of their time in the field performing species diversity indices, observing animal behaviors, exploring geothermal areas, comparing volcanic with non-volcanic biomes, hiking in glacial valley, and exploring the islands varying habitats and geological features.  They will also experience various climates and weather patterns to see how these determine the various biomes found on the islands.  Hikes and boat tours will allow exploration of geothermal areas, volcanoes, animal colonies, and various biomes from marine coastal zones to alpine tundra. 

Specific field trips are planned to:

• Fjordland National Park
• Albatross, seal, sea lion and penguin  nesting colonies
• Swamp forest
• Glaciers
• Biomes (coastal , montaine, swamp, alpine, dunes and grasslands)
• Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater Museum/Aquarium
• Volcanoes
• Southern Alps
• Maori Villages
• Geothermal Springs
• Caves (to view cave geology and glowworms)
• Power Plants (hydrologic and geothermal)
• Christchurch Antarctic Center

All students will be required to enroll in six credits for the program from the following courses:

Local ecotourism guides and presenters in New Zealand will supplement the learning experience.

Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.

What are the requirements?

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.00 at the time of application.  Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

The hiking and field study activities during the program will require students to be at a reasonable level of physical fitness.

A personal interview with the instructor is required before a student will receive final acceptance to the program.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

During the majority of the program, participants will stay at backpacker lodges in local communities where interaction with the local people is encouraged.  At the conclusion of the program, students will stay in a hotel in Queenstown.

Meals are not included, but the lodges have kitchen facilities available. (Special group dinners will be provided on the first and last night of the program.)

Who can tell me more about this program?

Ms. Karen Lienhart
College of Natural Science
153 Natural Science Bldg.
Phone: (517) 432-9260

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early.   It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

How much does it cost?

The program fee in 2009-10 is $3,568 and includes the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• accommodations
• accident and sickness insurance
• field trips

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

• MSU tuition and fees*
• airfare
• meals
• books and supplies
• passport application fee
• visa application fees (if applicable)
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations
• personal spending money

Excluding tuition and fees*, these additional costs are estimated at $3,590 (WB09-10).  Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadline to apply for these scholarships is October 15th for winter break programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Due to airline restrictions, applications for this winter break program must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by October 1st.  Students must also have purchased their airline tickets by October 1st.  Students who have not purchased their airline tickets by October 15th will be dropped from the program.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.  Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.