Description

Your journey begins with volunteering and home stays in a remote village in the Fijian highlands. After two weeks of learning Fijian and soaking up the unique and engaging culture, you journey to New Zealand to work on an organic farm, learn about permaculture, and live and volunteer with a Maori community. You will also hone your outdoor leadership skills, trek through the Southern Alps, and participate in the dynamic student-driven Free Travel portion of the semester. Your next destination is the magical land "down under", where you will volunteer in the Outback and journey up the Oodnadatta Track from Adelaide to Uluru (Ayers Rock), the very heart of the continent and sacred area of the local Aboriginal people. After a few invigorating days in Sydney and along the Gold Coast to practice your surfing skills, you will spend a week practicing mindfulness and studying Buddhism with Tibetan nuns. Finally, you make your way to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef to earn your SCUBA certification in one of the Natural Wonders of the World.

During this program you will learn a great deal about yourself and the world. You will explore the authentic sides of these fascinating cultures and push your comfort zone in many ways. Our students return home with renewed purpose for their education and greater direction for their lives - the FANZ program offers the opportunity to discover yourself through one of the most spectacular regions of the world.

College credit and financial aid (FAFSA) are available through PSU.

Highlights

* Spend a week at the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Leadership School trekking, kayaking, doing a ropes course, and more.
* Trek through New Zealand's beautiful landscape.
* Live with the Maori to learn about their traditions
* Get your SCUBA Certification on the Great Barrier Reef
* Studying sustainable building
* Live and learn with a Fijian family while working with them to improve their community
* Study Buddhism and Yoga at an Australian center
* Spend a week volunteering on an organic farm in New Zealand
* Week long road trip up the Oodnadatta Track to the "Red Center" of Australia
* Volunteer with the CVA in Australia's Outback or another region in South Australia
* Go surfing at one of the many beaches along Sydney's coast* Work on group leadership skills
* Learn how to travel independently
* Group sizes no larger than 12 students and always 2 staff
* University credit available through Portland State University
* FAFSA and Federal Financial Aid availability

Type of Programs

• Adventure Travel
• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Cultural Exploration
• High School Study Abroad
• Student Tours
• Language Immersion

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

11,900

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure
• Registration fees
• Living stipend

Program Fees Include:

International airfare is not included, and is estimated around 2500-2800 USD.
An additional USD900 fee applies to receive a full semesters worth of college credit through Portland State University.

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

The vast majority of our students are recent high school graduates from all over the USA whom for any variety of reasons foresee the benefit of having a focused, structured, and transformative experience in the "real world" before going off to college. All of our Carpe Diems programs are fully accredited by Portland State University so most students opt to spend their first semester of college earning credits with us, while experiencing life outside of our all to often "cultural bubble" for their first time. Other students come to us who have already spent some time at a university and either found the experience lacking in some way or are desirous of a structured study abroad program. Though the majority of our students are 18 and in their "Gap Year" we often work with sophomores and juniors in college as well.

Age Range

17 - 23

This Program is open to

Worldwide, American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi and South African Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living
• Home-stays
• Independent living
• Other
• Guest House

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of up to 12

Scholarships are Available

FAFSA and Scholarships are available.

Application Process Involves

• Essay
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone/Video Interview

Typically The Application Process Time is

2 business days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Carpe Diem Education's Mission Statement

Inspiring growth and transformation through experiential education, community, and intercultural exchange.

Year Founded

1997