Youth For Understanding USA
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What kind of exchange experience do you want?
I want to spend a all program lengths  studying in New Zealand, or maybe all regions. And I'm looking for something with a traditional exchange  and I definitely want to show off my need for  any language skills. Can I go whenever?
  • All around the world.

    all regions
    Africa & Middle East
    Asia & Pacific
    Eastern Europe
    Latin America
    Scandinavian Countries
    Western Europe
    North America
  • Pick a place, any place.

    Say what?

    Any language requirements?

     Any  Yes  No
  • What I'm into.

    a traditional exchange
    a gap year option
    college & university programs
    language classes
    a connection to the Arts
    sports & outdoors
    a volunteer program
  • How long I want to go.

    All program lengths
    Summer
    Short-term
    Semester
    Year-long

    When can I leave?

    whenever
    May to September
    December to March
Show me my options >

Glance

Age Requirement

Students must be at least 15 years old on arrival in New Zealand and no more than 18 years 9 months by departure. Spring Trimester Program: July 17, 2000 - Feb. 2, 2004; Spring Semester Australia/New Zealand Program: Sept. 15, 2000 - Jan. 20, 2004; Early Summer Program: Oct. 13, 2000 - June 1, 2004; Late Summer Program: Nov. 17, 2000 - July 6, 2004; Summer Trimester Program: Nov. 24, 2000 - June 1, 2004; Fall Trimester Program: Jan. 12, 2001 - July 20, 2004; Fall Semester Australia/New Zealand Program: Feb. 23, 2001 - July 10, 2004

Language

English. Although there will not be a language barrier, you will learn the unique New Zealand lingo and maybe even pick up some Maori!

Host Family Placement

Placements can be in all states and in urban, suburban, small town or rural areas.

School

February through December, with two-week breaks between terms.

Pastimes

Horseback riding, football, tennis, cricket, hiking, wind surfing, and water sports.

New Zealand is a nature-lover's paradise: over one-third of the country is a protected national park and no matter where you are in the country, you're never more than 80 miles from the ocean. Welcome to the land of the Kiwis!
Learn more about New Zealand.

SUMMER PROGRAMS

Get to know New Zealand up close through a summer immersion program! You'll live with a volunteer host family, attend a local public or private high school and engage in the life of your new community over the course of 6 weeks. The summer program offers two start dates, one in early June and the other in early July.

ACADEMIC TRIMESTER PROGRAMS

As a trimester exchange student to New Zealand, you will live with a local host family for 3 months and truly be immersed in the culture.  Trimester programs are offered in the Spring (Feb.-April), Summer (June-Aug.), and Fall (July-Oct.).  YFU may also be able to arrange alternate program dates or shorter stays- Please contact YFU early to inquire about these potential options and other flexibility. 

 

School: Exchange students will be placed in public or private high schools in the year level and class schedule determined by their host school. Most students will not be placed in the final year of high school and attendance recognition is solely at the discretion of the school to which you are enrolled. Exchange students are expected to actively participate in school. While schools can vary, they follow a national curriculum that includes the following subjects: Arts, English, Health and Physical Education, Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business, Geography, History, Languages, Mathematics, Science, and Technologies.  

 

Orientations:  All students will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in November/December (spring programs) or May/June (summer/fall programs.)  Additionally, spring trimester and fall trimester students may be able to attend the YFU National Pre-Departure Orientation, a 3-day program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas.  After arrival in New Zealand, all students will attend an orientation with their local volunteer coordinator.  All orientation costs are included in program tuition.

ACADEMIC SEMESTER AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND COMBINATION PROGRAM

Do you want to experience local life and culture in both Australia and New Zealand? Now you can! Students who participate in the Academic Semester Combination Program will spend 10 weeks living in each country, while living with local host families and attending public or private high school. This 5 month program offers a Spring or Fall departure.  The Spring Program begins in late Jan./early Feb. in Australia and then immediately follows with a stay in New Zealand from early April to mid June.  The Fall Program takes place in Australia from mid July to mid Sept. and then moves to New Zealand until late November.  Students may be placed in any part of either country and may have the option to receive reports for their time in school.   

ADDITIONAL PROGRAM OPTIONS

Students seeking additional program options besides those listed here should contact YFU to inquire about possibilities. YFU may be able to provide students with 6 month, 9 month, and School Year programs at high schools throughout New Zealand.

TUITION INCLUDES

-Placement with a host family
-Enrollment in a local high school 
-Airport transfers
-Domestic and international travel (including flights between Sydney and New Zealand in the Combination Program)
-All pre-departure and post arrival orientations
-Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
-Support from a local volunteer while on program
-Medical and travel insurance 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Visa Information: Information regarding visas and other immigration processes will be provided upon enrollment. Note: Students on the Combination semester program will need to obtain visas for both countries. 

 

Additional Costs:  Textbooks, uniforms if required, special school subject fees, extracurricular activities and excursions, school lunches, and transportation to school are not included in the tuition and vary depending on where students are placed. Students are also responsible for covering any fees related to obtaining a visa. Host families provide the same care and support as they would for their own child but are not responsible for costs related to entertainment, leisure activities, or other personal expenses/ spending money.  

 

Programs Code Departure Return Full Tuition
Semester
Australia & New Zealand Fall Semester Combination
Australia & New Zealand Spring Semester Combination

1628  
1627  

mid July
late January

late November
mid June

$19,995
$19,995
Short-term
Fall Trimester
Spring Trimester
Summer Trimester

1622  
1620  
1621  

late July
early February
early June

mid October
mid April
late August

$17,995
$17,995
$17,995
Summer
Early Summer
Late Summer

1625  
1626  

early June
early July

mid July
mid August

$8,995
$8,995