information session 01 december 2008 semester abroad in new zealand

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INFORMATION SESSION 01 DECEMBER 2008 Semester Abroad in NEW ZEALAND

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INFORMATION SESSION01 DECEMBER 2008

Semester Abroad in

NEW ZEALAND

Semester Abroad in New Zealand

- AGENDA -

1. Insurance realities and forms2. December 01 final fee payment3. Pre-departure health briefing from Ms. Leslie

Macpherson, RN, Brock University Health Services4. Pre-departure orientation and NZ cultural overview

from Mr. John Kaethler, Manager, International Services

5. Return of passports and student visas6. Distribution of air tickets

Semester Abroad in New Zealand

- AGENDA -

7. Course expectations for TREN 3P14: Sustainable Integrated Waste Management and TREN 3F94: International Field Course - Ecological Regions and Tourism Destinations in New Zealand

8. Expectations for TOUR 306: Ecotourism Operations9. Practical matters: Baggage, clothing, weather, etc.10. Staying in touch over the Christmas break; plans for

meeting at Pearson International Airport on 02 January 2009

11. Other business

Insurance realities – DFAIT website( http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-en.asp?country=215000 )

• “Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs.

• Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy.

• Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage.

• Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell a friend or relative and a travelling companion how to contact your insurer.

• If you need medical care in New Zealand, get a detailed invoice before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.”

Otago University Insurance Office:

• “Any student who wishes to submit an alternative policy is welcome, but we have found in the past that none of the Canadian policies we have had for assessment with the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students are compliant as they lack or do not have sufficient coverage for many of the core elements.”

Insurance realities: the good news

1) Otago has contracted with a third-party provider for Studentsafe insurance (brochure in your orientation packages)

2) Cost of comprehensive coverage is only $NZ 112.00 ($CDN 75) for entire semester, including travel to and from New Zealand

3) Because of favourable exchange rates on the Canadian dollar, Studentsafe insurance coverage will be no additional charge to you

Insurance policies and forms

1) Complete and submit Studentsafe application form to me today

2) Review the Studentsafe insurance brochure in your application package and fill out the back section

3) Review the terms and conditions of your policy in detail

2. DECEMBER 01 FEE PAYMENT

• $1900 installment due at Brock Finance Office today

• use Payment Form 5: Balance of field course fees ($1900)

( available online at http://www.brocku.ca/tren/nz )

3. PREDEPARTURE HEALTH BRIEFING

• Leslie Macpherson, RNBrock University Health Services( http://www.brocku.ca/healthservices/ )

4. PREDEPARTURE ORIENTATION

• John KaethlerOffice of International ServicesBrock University( http://www.brocku.ca/international/ )

5. Return of passports and student visas

• Sign for receipt of your passport on circulated list

• Check visa details to make sure they are correct

• Put your passport somewhere safe and accessible when you get home!!

6. Distribution of air tickets

• E-ticket provided (not traditional paper ticket)

• Verify travel details (especially if you are not returning with the group)

• Copy ticket and itinerary and leave with friends or relatives.

• Make a second copy for yourself and put it somewhere safe in your luggage

• Bring e-ticket to the airport

7. Brock course expectations

• TREN 3P14: Sustainable Integrated Waste Management

• TREN 3F95: Ecological Regions and Tourism Destinations in New Zealand

TREN 3P14: Sustainable Integrated Waste Management

• 2007 outline: http://www.brocku.ca/tren/courses/tren3p14/

• Research Paper (1500 words) and reference list (minimum 10 references, at least 5 from academic journals) 25%

• Presentation Abstract (250 words) 5% • In-class presentation (20 minutes) 20% • Participation / Attendance /

Peer Evaluation Forms 20% • Final Examination: 30%

TREN 3F94: Ecological Regions and Tourism Destinations in New Zealand

http://www.brocku.ca/tren/nz/tren3f95_draft_outline.pdf

Assignment 1: Pre-departure Destination Brief - 20%• Due Late January 2009

Assignment 2: Field interpretation• Outline and interpretive materials: 10% (Due mid-Feb 2009)• Onsite interpretation: 20% (Various dates, in field – Feb and Mar)

Assignment 3: Structured impact analysis - 20%• Due electronically by late March 2009

Assignment 4: Reflection paper - 20%• Due electronically by late March 2008

Participation and cooperation: 10%• Throughout trip

Otago TOUR 306: Ecotourism Operations http://www.otago.ac.nz/courses/summer_school/papers/TOUR306.html

Instructor: Dr Erlet Cater, University of Reading, United Kingdom

Course coordinator: Prof. James Higham, Chair, Dept. of Tourism, Otago University

Schedule• Lecture Mon (from week one): 1400-1550, Wed:

1400-1450, Thu: 1200-1250• Field trip 8 January and 2 February

Otago TOUR 306: Ecotourism Operations

Evaluation

• Essay 40%

• Field trip report 10%

• Final examination

• (2 hours, February 2009) 50%

Practical Matters: Guidebook

• Lonely Planet – New Zealand

• 14th Revised edition • Charles Rawlings-Way

Format: Paperback, 765 pages, 88 maps

• Pub. Date: 01-Sep-2008Publisher: Lonely Planet PublicationsISBN-10: 1741048168ISBN-13: 9781741048162

Practical Matters: Baggage

Checked Bags:• 2 pieces, each up to 23kg (50 lbs)

Cabin bags: • one piece of cabin baggage with a maximum

weight of 7kg (15lbs) and maximum total dimensions (length + width + height) of 115cm (45").

• personal items such as an overcoat, handbag, camera or slimline laptop.

Practical Matters: Baggage

• This thin laptop satchel is considered a personal item and is permitted in addition to your usual cabin baggage allowance

    • This large laptop satchel

is counted as 1 piece of cabin baggage allowance

Practical Matters: Electricity

• 230 V, 50 Hz • 2x North American

voltage!! – check devices for compatibility

• Distinctive 3-pin angled plug

Practical Matters: Electricity

• Only a plug adapter is required for use with international voltage products

• A voltage converter is required to use regular 110-115v North American products

Practical Matters: Money (‘Dosh’)

• New Zealand dollar worth about 75 cents CDN

Practical Matters: Money

• Coins come in 10 cent, 20 cent, 50 cent, one dollar, two dollar denominations

Practical Matters: Money

• Most Canadian ATM cards work in New Zealand – check for Cirrus / Interac / Plus logos on card, and withdrawal FEE

Practical Matters: Climate

• “If you don’t like the weather in New Zealand – wait a minute”

• Weather updates:http://www.metservice.co.nz/default/index.php?alias=dunedin

Practical Matters:Annual Climate

[hide]               Weather averages for Dunedin               

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year

Average high °C (°F) 18.9(66)

18.9(66)

17.5(64)

15.3(60)

12.6(55)

10.4(51)

10.0(50)

11.1(52)

13.2(56)

14.9(59)

16.3(61)

17.5(64)

14.7(58)

Average low °C (°F) 11.3(52)

11.2(52)

10.2(50)

8.0(46)

5.7(42)

3.6(38)

3.0(37)

3.9(39)

5.5(42)

7.1(45)

8.5(47)

10.3(51)

7.4(45)

Precipitation mm (inches) 72.9(2.87)

58.7(2.31)

70.2(2.76)

61.6(2.43)

67.1(2.64)

68.1(2.68)

60.8(2.39)

55.2(2.17)

47.8(1.88)

63.7(2.51)

66.9(2.63)

75.8(2.98)

768.8(30.27)

Source: NIWA CliFlo data Musselburgh[33] 1947-02-01 to 2007-09-30

Staying in touch over Christmas Break

• CHECK YOUR EMAIL REGULARLY!!

• Dave Brown’s office phone: 905-688-5550 x.3293

Airport arrival

• BE AT AIRPORT 3 HOURS PRIOR TO SCHEDULED DEPARTURE!!

• Check flight details prior to departure at http://www.gtaa.com/en/home/

Practical Matters:Miscellaneous!

• Clothing

• Medications

• Social realities

• Scheduling your work and leisure

• Computer access

• Cell phones and calling home

• Etc. etc. – your questions!!