Travel & Tourism Study Abroad Programs in Auckland, New Zealand

The best course you could do I can’t recommend more if you’re looking for a high intensity thrilling experience this is definitely for you. I did the course in April 2025 and have loved skydiving ever since you learn everything and meet some of the best people along the way. If I had the choice I would do it again 100 times over.

I started the course in January 2022 and easily was able to work after the short course. Since then i’ve quickly upskilled to camera flying and instructoring and i couldnt of have this amazing job without completing course. And a bonus is tye amazing people you meet on the way!

I am from Scotland and I moved over to NZ to join the NZ skydiving school, I honestly cannot speak highly enough of my experience, the instructors are so professional and made me feel so safe throughout my experience. Everyone should skydive !!

I didn't know this frequency of fun was sustainable. I figured worst case scenario this course would just be a really expensive holiday but now I realize my whole life can be a holiday. Me and my wife left our country and our jobs to pursue this and it is the greatest decision we ever made.

My study abroad was great and I would definitely go back to New Zealand, just not to study abroad. The academics were horrible. It was also very very expensive and nobody would give me a job as an international student so I really struggled financially. The people are great though and so was the landscape. I was in Palmerston North my whole study abroad and it was very small, a big change from my big city life, but I would definitely come back to visit friends.

New Zealand was a blast. Being put in contract with all of the other students studying abroad at the university I attended was a game changer. We all met within the first week and that allowed us to create a big group of students from all around the world that could hang out and do activities. I made some really good friends in this group and we spent the whole semester abroad going and doing fun activities. New Zealand is not a huge country and I was able to explore a lot of different areas of the country. For spring break 9 of us rented camper vans and toured the whole south island for two weeks; this was definitely the best part of the semester. I visited many beautiful beaches and hiked multiple (small-ish) mountains. I will always miss the new zealand meat pies that were available at every corner store.

Months before departure, I was nervous about how I would make friends and make the most of my experience. When I arrived in New Zealand, I had no idea I would meet the people I would be lifelong friends with. I instantly clicked with the other students down my hall and in my classes and used all our free time to experience New Zealand as a group. I also met my best friend from this experience, he is a Kiwi and showed the foreigners how to have fun in the southern hemisphere.

New Zealand was fantastic, USAC was basically MIA as soon as we touched down in the country to be perfectly frank. Plus getting a visa was a headache. The people in charge of certain parts of my USAC experience changed like 3 times during my experience and it was all a little weird

At first, I was super scared to travel abroad. But with the help of my counselors, I was able to study in New Zealand and have a great time. I was also very nervous about making new friends abroad, since I had never gone out of the country, but there were plenty of events on campus that allowed me to make new friends that were both native to New Zealand and also other Study Abroad students. The location of the campus was great as I could make a best trip to the downtown area so I was able to explore it much of Auckland. It was the best thing I’ve ever done and I was very glad for the experience!

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at NZSS. it pushes you to the limit mentally and physically but the rewards are amazing. You learn more about yourself than you think. It's definitely a course where you get out, what you put in. A real "work hard, play hard" enviroment.

I had one of the greatest times in my life going on a Pacific Discovery trip. It was incredible and I learned more about myself then I ever imagined I would. Rach and Scotty led the trip and they were amazing guides and teachers. I have always highly recommended this type of trip to students who might feel stuck in college or not sure what to do. The trip will open up your eyes to new experiences, cultures, and make you think about how to live your life in a more adventurous way. Wish I could do it all over again and experience everything I did again for the first time. Cheers, Gregg Starr

Pacific Discovery planned out the trip incredibly, and everything we did was mind-blowing. The trip really allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and experience new things that I definitely would not be able to do at home. The program also really allowed me to explore myself as a person in a way that I never have before. I felt like I really grew through all the activities we did and through any hardships that we had (we had very few though). Overall, I had the time of my life and learned so much, especially with two incredible instructors, Beth and Stacey.

Living in New Zealand was the best decision I have ever made! From the people to the BEAUTIFUL views, this country has so much to offer. Studying at Massey was perfect, in that you aren't right in Auckland. This allowed myself to really enjoy my ventures into the city, but even more so enjoy the trips I chose to take outside of Auckland.

Choosing Pacific Discovery was the best decision I could have made for my gap semester. Every single aspect of this trip was above and beyond what I thought it could be. I had the most incredible time and made lifelong friends. I cannot recommend this program enough. The places we visited, the people we met, our guide (Holly is the coolest person ever), and all of the incredible things we did are experiences I will never forget. New Zealand and Australia are two incredibly exciting and fun countries, and were so much fun to explore and travel through. The entire program was incredible and I would do it again and again if I could.