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High School Study Abroad in Queenstown, New Zealand

You might not get to take classes with hobbits, but Queenstown, New Zealand has so much more to offer to high school students. Any budding thrill seeker will feel at home in Queenstown, known as the top adventure destination amongst adrenaline-junkies from around the world. The combination of water sports and heaps of outdoor activities - not to mention that cutie who caught your eye in calc class - might make focusing on your studies a bit difficult. If this sounds better than the dimly lit, slightly stinky hallways of your high school, then head south (way south!) to experience life as a kiwi with high school study abroad in Queenstown!

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7 High School Trips to Queenstown, New Zealand

Travel For Teens
9.9212 reviews

Travel For Teens

Travel For Teens: Australia and New Zealand Service

Fly across the International Dateline and arrive in the Land Down...

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Westcoast Connection
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Westcoast Connection

New Zealand, Australia & Fiji Adventure - 30 Days

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Volunteering abroad in Australia

by: Bryn Pierce - United StatesProgram: Travel For Teens: Australia and New Zealand Service
10

Starting off, I would recommend any TFT trip. They are a very experienced company with staff that are very organized and familiar with the countries that you are visiting. This Australia and New Zealand trip had the perfect amount of volunteering time as well as excursions to have fun with. We had about 20 hours of volunteer service where we helped at a non-profit animal center. Aside from these hours, we would take trips to waterfalls and beaches to relax, but also immerse ourselves into the culture. We were able to visit small markets and farms as well as iconic sights such as the Sydney Oprah House. Travel for Teens has given me new experiences worldwide that I definitely would not have been able to plan or do by myself.

A Guide to High School Programs Abroad in Queenstown

Teen Programs in Queenstown

For many high school students thinking about studying abroad, this trip will be their first big trip without their parents. While New Zealand has its own unique and fascinating culture, the fact that it is an English speaking, western culture may make it an easier transition for teen travelers.

Popular high school programs in Queenstown. Students looking for outdoor adventure have come to the right place. In addition to hiking, snorkeling, and skiing, high school students in New Zealand can learn about marine biology and permaculture. Interested in giving back? Try a community service program and learn about Queenstown and its environs by volunteering. Students interested in developing a home away from home might consider a homestay, where you’ll become part of your Kiwi family and experience real life in New Zealand. 

How long are typical high school programs in Queenstown? Looking for an adventure but not yet ready to spend a whole year away from home? Try a high school summer program in New Zealand, where there are several companies organizing programs for students to experience the best of New Zealand for a few weeks at a time. Not all high schools will accept transfer credit from a study abroad program so shorter programs have the added benefit of not interrupting your studies. The downside to only spending a few weeks in New Zealand is the travel time: it takes roughly a full day in each direction. This means you need to ration your airplane movies because there might not be new ones by the time you are ready to return home. Don’t let the travel time deter you though because once you’ve landed, you’ll dive right into your program and your summer will fly by in a blur of sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and adrenaline rushes. 

Longer programs allow you to settle into your new home at a slower, deeper pace. Spending up to a year in Queenstown will give you the opportunity to live like the locals do and learn more about the intricacies of local culture and traditions. There are several program options that help students enroll in a local school for a semester, trimester, or whole year. Find out how high school differs for Kiwi teens versus North American teens during your high school exchange program.

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