INFORMATION SESSION17 NOVEMBER 2011

Term Abroad in

NEW ZEALAND

Semester Abroad in New Zealand

- AGENDA -

1. Liability Waiver Forms – complete, have witnessed, and submit

2. Emergency Contact Forms / Cards – complete

3. Letters of Acceptance – Otago University

4. Otago University Online Registration

5. Otago Summer School online insurance forms

6. December 15 fee payment expectations

Semester Abroad in New Zealand

- AGENDA -

7. Course expectations for - TREN 3P18: Sustainable Transportation- TREN 3F94: International Field Course –Ecological Regions and Tourism Destinations in New Zealand- TOUR 306: Ecotourism & Sustainability

8. Practical matters: Baggage, clothing, weather, etc.

9. Field course itinerary review, as required

10. Other business

NZ Visas

• Student visas are NO LONGER REQUIRED for the Brock Term Abroad in New Zealand

However:

• If you wish to stay longer than 3 months or work in New Zealand, you WILL require a visa (your own responsibility)

December pre-departure session

• Scheduled for 15 December at 2:00 p.m.

• Please verify once again that you have no direct exam conflicts

• complete, have witnessed by me, and hand in

Emergency Contact Form

Liability Waiver Forms• complete, have witnessed by me, and hand in

Emergency Contact Form• Complete and hand in• Remember to inform your emergency contacts

that you have used their names and contact info!

Emergency Contact Wallet Cards• Complete, cut out, and put copies in wallet, purse,

backpack, passport case, etc.

Offers of Place – Otago University

• You should have all received an Offer of Place to the Otago University Summer School program by email

• Please respond and return Acceptance of Offer form ASAP, if you have not done so already

Offers of Place – Otago University

• Not all items on the ‘Essential Checklist’ apply to you

• Ignore the following (we do it for you)– Pay tuition fees and insurance – Arrange your airport transfer– Book your travel– Academic transcript request– How to Pay Fees

Online Registration – Otago Summer School

• Follow instructions to register online

• Instructions sent by email

• Ignore payment requests and transcript requests

• If you have problems with online registration, email Eddie Skillander at the Otago University International Office:

eddie.skillander@otago.ac.nz

About Insurance

Boring, but essential…

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.

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

• 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.”

Insurance realities: the good news

1) Otago has contracted with a third-party provider for Studentsafe insurance (brochure online at www.studentassist.co.nz (select Studentsafe-University)

2) Cost of comprehensive coverage is only $NZ 141 for entire 3-month term abroad, including travel to and from New Zealand

3) Basic Studentsafe insurance coverage is included in your Term Abroad fees

4) If you stay longer than 3 months or travel outside , you need more insurance

5) Check insurance coverage details for other travel destinations

Insurance policies and forms

1) Complete and submit Acceptance Offer (select Studentsafe-University package if asked)

2) Review the terms and conditions of your policy in detail online at www.studentassist.co.nz

3) If you have pre-existing medical conditions or other known risk issues, additional insurance may be required… please make sure you are adequately covered!-> see “Pre-existing Medical Cover” at www.studentassist.co.nz for details

• $3500 (unless you hear otherwise)• Any outstanding balance will remain in your Brock

student account• Exchange rates are starting to move in the right

direction again…

2. DECEMBER 15 FEE PAYMENT

3. Air tickets

• E-ticket will be provided (not traditional paper ticket). When you get it:

• Verify travel details

• 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

Brock course expectations

TREN 3P14: Sustainable Transportation

• Dunedin, 2 x 3 hr lectures / week Wed: 0900-1150; Fri: 13:00-15:50 (mandatory) – to be confirmed

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

• Entire course takes place in field

TREN 3P18: Sustainable Transportation

• 2011 outline (example only!): http://www.brocku.ca/tren/courses/tren3p18/

• Synthesis session reports (2 × 35%) 70%

• Participation/class attendance/peer evaluation 30%

• Total 100 %

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

http://www.brocku.ca/tren/courses/tren3f94/

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

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

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

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

Participation and cooperation: 10%• Throughout trip

Otago TOUR 306: Ecotourism and Sustainable Development

http://www.otago.ac.nz/courses/summerschool/otago019418.html

Instructor: Dr Erlet Cater, University of Reading, UKCourse coordinator: Prof. James Higham, Chair, Dept. of

Tourism, Otago University

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

1400-1550 (weeks two to six), Thu: 1200-1250 (weeks two to four, and six)

• Field trips 12 January 1300-1900 and 9 February 1000-2200

Otago TOUR 306: Ecotourism and Sustainable Development

Evaluation (2012) – subject to change

• Essay 40%

• Role Play exercise 10%

• Final examination(2 hours, 18 February 2010) 50%

100%

Practical Matters

Guidebook, Baggage limits, Electricity, Cellphones, Money,

etc..

Practical Matters: Guidebook

Lonely Planet – New Zealand• 15th Ed. • Charles Rawlings-Way (Author), Brett Atkinson

(Author), Sarah Bennett (Author)

Paperback: 748 pages • Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; 15th

edition edition (Sep 1 2010) • ISBN-10: 1741794730 • ISBN-13: 978-1741794731 • Product Dimensions: 19.7 x 12.7 x 3.2 cm • Shipping Weight: 640 g

• SEEMS CHEAPER ONLINE (CDN $19.79) (but must pay shipping)

Practical Matters: Air NZ Baggage

Checked Bags:• 1 piece, max. 23kg (50 lbs) - total dimensions

(length + width + height) of 158cm (62").• Motor coach capacity is also only ONE bag per

person on field course – plan accordingly!Cabin bags: • one piece of cabin baggage with a maximum

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

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

Practical Matters: Baggage

Checked Bags on field course

• a limit of only one suitcase per person is allowed due to luggage storage space on the coach.

• Bring smaller, lighter and therefore more manageable luggage rather than a large cumbersome piece. Ideally your suitcase should not weigh more than 20 kg and recommended maximum suitcase dimensions is 75cm x 50cm x 30cm.

• Guest laundry and ironing facilities are available throughout your tour.

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 (not recommended)

• Most new electronics (laptops, digital cameras, iPods, etc.) are internationally compatible (110-240 VAC input)

• Check your adapter for details

• Most portable appliances (hair dryers, kettles, etc.) are NOT internationally compatible

• May be cheaper to buy local appliances in NZ than buy an expensive power adapter or dual-voltage appliance

Suggestion:

• Bring a Canadian multi-outlet power bar, and purchase one heavy-duty New Zealand plug adapter

• You can plug several international voltage items into the power bar from one NZ outlet

Practical Matters: Cell Phones

• It is usually very expensive (and sometimes impossible) to use a cell phone from a Canadian service provider in New Zealand

• Suggestion: bring a cheap UNLOCKED GSM cell phone, and purchase a NZ pay-as-you-go SIMM card for the phone

• Even domestic cell phone calls are quite expensive (30 cents plus per minute)

• Calling cards are quite cheap

• Skype and Messenger are options while in Dunedin, but internet access while on the field course is variable (free in McDonald’s, though!)

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

Practical Matters: Money

• Determine if your bank charges an international withdrawal FEE (some are quite high – upwards of $5.00 per withdrawal)

• Might be cheaper to get new bank or plan

Practical Matters: Money

• Traveller’s cheques are not necessary for travel in New Zealand

• A major credit card is a major advantage

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

Practical Matters:Miscellaneous!

• Clothing

• Medications

• Social realities

• Scheduling your work and leisure

• Computer access

• Cell phones and calling home

• Etc. etc. – your questions!!

Staying in touch through December

• CHECK YOUR EMAIL REGULARLY!!

• Dave Brown’s office phone: 905-688-5550 x.3293 (until end of term)

Airport arrival

• WE LEAVE FOR NEW ZEALAND ON FRIDAY 06 JANUARY 2012

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

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