National Outdoor Leadership School, New Zealand branch - I will never forget it. Past Review
By Jordan R (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft., Ithaca College) for
National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): Semester in New Zealand
There could not be enough space for me to answer this question fully. It was an amazing experience, where I made lasting memories, and learned things about myself that I might never have known. I would not have changed it for anything. This is not to say that it was fun all the time -- far from it. But, the hardships and challenges made it all the more worthwhile, and made me value the fun more. If you go on it, make sure that in the last week to ten days, you don't check out. It is easy to get excited to get back into civilization again, but that time is possibly the most valuable. If I had to do it again, I would make sure to value the end more.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academic workload was present, but not too much. We studied the natural and social histories of the areas we traveled through, and had to do assignments based on those, as well as on the leadership and practical skills that we were taught. We also had to teach some classes of our own. In the final section of the course, I got certified as a Master Educator in the Leave No Trace style of camping. Most all of the work related directly to what we were doing, so it never seemed like a burden. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Being an American organization that operates courses around the world, NOLS is very good at adapting people to the specific areas where they are traveling. The teaching style is very helpful, in that we were learning either practical skills that we perfected by using them nearly everyday, how to work within a group, knowledge of the area, or leadership skills that we could take with us after the course. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We lived in high quality backpacking tents for the entirety of our course. They were not spacious, but they protected us and I would not have changed them at all. |
| * Food: |
They were very accommodating to dietary restrictions, and stressed the many principles of backcountry cooking and nutrition. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living with the Maori tribe was very enlightening and a great way to start the semester. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
NOLS takes health and safety issues very seriously, as we were often more than 24 hours from definitive medical care. We learned a lot about backcountry first aid and risk management, and I always felt safe, even when in high-risk situations like climbing down a mountain in avalanche terrain. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Very little. Being in the wilderness, there was little if any opportunity to do so. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | New Zealand is a relatively expensive country in the cities, but there are many cheap food options to be found with little effort. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If you like the outdoors or have never slept in a tent in your life, go for it. |
