Overview

Thousands of students graduate college each year but have little direction of what to do next in life. Surprisingly, few graduates are equipped with the skills and confidence that will empower them to achieve their goals or adapt successfully into a professional career. Leadership training is an extremely valuable tool for developing such skills across any and all disciplines, and leadership is considered one of the most broadly needed skills among recent graduates and professionals. In today’s world, there is significant demand for a new generation of leaders who can bring about positive change in local, national, and international affairs.

This AustraLearn short course emphasizes leadership, personal development, and team building. Students already practicing leadership skills and those who might not otherwise see themselves as leaders or as team players will both realize their ability to develop in these areas. You will also come away with a sense of accomplishment and pride after your experience. The Outdoor Pursuits portion of the program encourages students to bond together, trust one another, and learn how to work as a team.

Integrating and Applying New Leadership Skills: The Outdoor Pursuits Centre

Elements of leadership reflected through the Maori Culture:
Students Performing the Traditional Haka Dance

Location

New Zealand is one of the most unique and awe-inspiring countries in the world. Its majestic beauty and give-it-a-go attitude will serve as an ideal setting for self-exploration and discovery. Its scenery sets it apart from the rest of the planet, while its people have a reputation for friendliness, strength, and independence. New Zealand has a population of only four million and is similar in size to the United Kingdom or California. It is considered a safe and comfortable destination for international students and visitors.

New Zealanders are inherently interested in the world and other people, as well as the outdoors and environment, providing a strong example for global citizenship and adventure. The North Island represents rich diversity in scenery, lifestyle, and culture. While the majority of New Zealanders are of British descent, the largest minority is New Zealand’s indigenous Maori who make up around 14 percent of the population. Most Maoris, along with many Asians and Pacific Islanders, live in the country’s North Island. There two official languages, English and Maori. As an English speaking country, you can immerse with the locals and immediately apply your new skills.

Upon completion of the program, we encourage you to continue the self-exploration and adventure by traveling independently through the rest of New Zealand. Five days will be spent at the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre (OPC), which has a comprehensive learning facility and a highly trained staff specializing in leadership development and experiential learning. Located between Lake Taupo (New Zealand’s largest lake) and Tongariro National Park (New Zealand’s first national park and home to three of the country’s most spectacular volcanic peaks), the OPC provides a pristine yet challenging classroom in an extraordinarily beautiful environment.

Course Itinerary and Outline

The program takes place entirely on the North Island of New Zealand, taking advantage of the rich Maori culture, outdoor beauty, heritage and cultural sites, the capital of Wellington and the major city of Auckland.

• Auckland: The group will convene in Auckland for a Program Introduction experience which includes information on culture, health and safety, and visits to unique New Zealand sites.
  
• Rotorua: Guest speakers and lectures focusing on leadership training and cultural leadership elements, along with experiential and teambuilding opportunities highlight the time in New Zealand’s top tourist attraction location.
  
• Turangi (Lake Taupo): Five days are spent at the Sir Edmund Hilary Outdoor Pursuits Centre, where students engage in a mix of experiential, team-building and reflection activities, and facilitated discussions. Significant time will be spent outdoors, with activities that can include hiking, caving, kayaking, overnight camping, climbing/rappelling and more, as well as an overnight backpacking excursion.
  
• Wellington: The program concludes in New Zealand’s vibrant capital city. Leaders from all aspects of New Zealand will brought in for discussions and activities on transitional leadership, a diversity workshop, Maori cultural leadership, innovation and inspiration, and career development. A volunteer service project in the area will create community involvement and dialogue on the visionary and service aspects of leadership development.

The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre

The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre of New Zealand (OPC) was established in 1973 to provide outdoor pursuits training for young New Zealanders. Its focus is the use of the outdoors as a medium for exploring leadership theory, skills, and issues. The course objectives are to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills to deal effectively with others and to be able to recognize and assume leadership styles necessary to assist in their development. The Centre offers secondary school programs, adult industry/corporate training programs, small group adventure weekends, and navigation workshops. Programs interact with the New Zealand environment through activities such as kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, and ropes courses.

With qualified staff, the Centre delivers sessions on topics such as leadership style, communication skills, and personality profiles leading the participant to their own personal investigation of leadership with a focus on career planning or lifestyle balance. Each activity has a goal behind it that is either solved as a group or individual. Personal risk assessment, goal setting, and motivation are the cornerstones each day that participants challenge themselves through the activities presented in the program. Fully catered on-site facilities are available to groups such as the AustraLearn Leadership Program, and students will be instructed on what to bring with them on the program to make their outdoor adventures exciting and achievable. 24-hour staff are on site as well as a group manager during the entire program including the outdoor pursuit program at the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre of New Zealand.

The Outdoor Pursuits Centre of New Zealand: Team Buildling and Leadership Development

Course Content and Assessment

Content: Participants of this course will participate in a variety of leadership activities including physical challenge, discussions of leadership style, and community involvement.

Assessment: Students will participate in online discussions and/or assignments prior to departure. While in New Zealand, students will keep a reflective journal and work towards a final paper due at the end or after the course concludes.

Course Credit: Students will receive an official transcript from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with 4 Leadership Studies Credits upon completion of the course.

Program Highlights

• Admire the pristine, breathtaking scenery of New Zealand’s North Island
• Learn or enhance your leadership skills in a country rich in culture and innovation
• Five-day outdoor recreation component provides immersion into New Zealand’s natural beauty while building leadership expertise through experiential education
• Available as a stand-alone course or as an add on to a semester or year abroad in Australia, New Zealand, or Fiji

Who it’s For?

Open to any student of at least sophomore standing enrolled in any major. Freshmen considered on a case-by-case basis.

Travel: Group Flights

Students attending short courses are required to fly with the group. Airfare is not included in program fees and payment of airfare is the responsibility of the student. However, AustraLearn seeks the lowest possible student rate before reserving seats for participants to purchase.

Additionally, group flights have a flexible return date. Students may choose their own return date to allow for personal travel after the conclusion of the program.

Scholarships Available

Fees

Fee Includes

Fee Semester

Dates

Entry Requirements

AustraLearn Coordinator

Name: Kimberly Tibbetts Title: Manager, Short Term Programs Department: Short Courses and Specialty Programs BIO: Kimberly is the Manager of Short Term Programs at AustraLearn. Kimberly works with all Short Term Program Participants. Kimberly graduated with a BA in History from the University of Colorado-Boulder. While studying at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, Kimberly discovered a love for travel and international education. She has traveled extensively throughout New Zealand and hopes to see more of Australia and Europe. She is very excited about spreading her passion for education and travel.