High School Study Abroad in Auckland, New Zealand

New Zealand's two islands are divided by Cook Strait. The North Island boasts volcanoes, hot springs, mud pools, geysers, and beaches, while the South Island has rugged Alpine mountains, glaciers, and access to activities like swimming with dolphins and whale-watching. By living with a host family and attending a local school in New Zealand (Aotearoa), you’ll get to know why this country is celebrated for its friendliness and breathtaking natural beauty. Experience the casual Kiwi culture and pass your days with plenty of time outdoors, having a family barbecue or hiking to the nearest beach. You’ll be totally immersed in New Zealand society and learn all about its rich and varied culture. This isn’t just a year abroad; it’s an adventure you’ll never forget!

Capture contrast, chase golden hour, and tell a visual story that spans two countries: Australia and New Zealand. Explore the art and craft of visual storytelling across two incredible global cities and the world-class nature in their backyards. Whether you're using a DSLR or your phone, you’ll build digital photography skills as you capture the textures, colors, and culture of Australia and New Zealand alongside teens who share your passion for photography. Start in Sydney, where light-filled harbors, rainforest hikes, and the iconic skyline shape every shot. Then hop to Auckland to explore black sand beaches, volcanic peaks, and Māori art traditions. Through hands-on workshops, guided photo walks, and professional critiques, you’ll master composition, lighting, and editing and reflect on the ethics of visual storytelling. You’ll wrap it all up with a final gallery show, where you’ll curate five powerful images and present them alongside an artist’s statement. Return home with an impressive portfolio you can use for college applications and a deeper understanding of your creative style.

This project is perfect for nature lovers looking to explore New Zealand. The local organization boasts more than 2000 ongoing conservation projects throughout Australia and New Zealand. They are happy to welcome volunteers from around the world to assist in their efforts. Each weekend, groups of 10 volunteers depart from meeting points in major cities in New Zealand to their project sites. Most projects include challenging physical work but provide long-lasting friendships, central knowledge about wildlife in the region, and the opportunity to contribute in a practical way to environmental conservation. The projects involve: - Tree planting - Erosion and salinity control - Seed collection - Construction and maintenance of walking tracks - Endangered flora and fauna surveys - Weed control - Habitat restoration - Heritage restoration In order to facilitate the best and most varied experience, we encourage volunteers to commit at least 4 weeks to the program. Volunteers generally spend one or two weeks at each project site. Project hours are generally from 8 am to 4 pm. Projects take place in both urban and rural areas.

Journey to the lands down under and immerse yourself in all this New Zealand and Australia travel program offers: incredible beauty, friendly culture, and thrilling adventure. Try a wide variety of activities you won’t see anywhere else: zorbing, waterfall rafting, and alpine trekking in New Zealand. Then, enjoy scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef, boomerang throwing lessons, and bridge climbing in Australia. Your summer program leaders will be there to create a fun, inclusive, and accepting family atmosphere. This is no ordinary high school summer tour; it’s an adventure of a lifetime! Teens on this trip participate in the first 21 days of the longer New Zealand, Australia & Fiji Adventure 28-day program.