Landscapes & People: New Zealand and the Cook Islands

May 5 – June, 2014

View of Aoraki-Mount Cook from the Glentanner Station accommodations

Landscapes & People: New Zealand and the Cook Islands

• What is the program about?• Coursework• Activities & excursions• Accommodations• Finances• Application process

What is the program about?Landscapes and People will provide a better understanding of the changing landscapes within two areas of the South

Pacific.

(1) Exploration of the Southern Alps of the South Island of New Zealand, one of the most significant high-mountain environments of the Southern Hemisphere.

> Focus on the physical geography of this high-mountain landscape, and the opportunities and risks these have provided for the earliest as well as present human inhabitants of Aotearoa/New Zealand.> This study will be accomplished as a four-week road trip through the Southern Alps, stretching from the South Pacific Ocean coast to the Tasman Sea coast.> Note: We will be hiking and working outside almost every day in late autumn weather: proper boots and clothing and a moderate level of fitness are required.

(2) Travel to the Cook Islands, specifically the main island of Rarotonga.

> Focus on the relations between the physical geography and the human inhabitants of the Cook Islands, beginning with the archipelago’s settlement as part of the great Polynesian migrations. The management of tropical cyclone and tsunami hazards at Rarotonga will be used as a case study of natural hazards management in small island nations.> We will be based out of the Cook Islands’ capital and waterfront town of Avarua.

Coursework GEOG 491: Natural hazard risk in New Zealand and

the Cook Islands An advanced study of the risks associated with selected natural

hazards, and the management of these risks, in New Zealand and the Cook Islands. Case studies will include the Christchurch earthquakes of 2011;

mass movement, flood, glacial and meteorological hazards in the Southern Alps; and tropical cyclone and tsunami hazards at Rarotonga, Cook Islands.

GEOG 413: Mountain Environments Study of mountain environments from a physical geographical

perspective, emphasizing the hazards, resources, and impacts which are created when humans interact with these environments. Examples of case studies: the Southern Alps’ iconic tussock

grasslands and high-mountain sheep stations: implications for management; tectonic processes including a study of the world famous Alpine Fault; mass movement processes in a geologically active mountain range; mountain weather on an oceanic island; glacier behaviour and resources. Etc etc.

Activities & Excursions

Moeraki Boulders

Oamaru blue penguins

Nga Hau e Wha Marae, Christchurch Sheep shearing

Rarotonga ‘Island Night’

AccommodationsChristchurch/Southern Alps: We will be staying either in motels or self-contained cabins at “holiday parks”. All rooms have their own bathrooms and cooking facilities, and common laundry areas.• Accommodations will be in: Christchurch; Bealey (ArthursPass); Franz Josef Glacier; Wanaka; Queenstown; GlentannerStation (Mt Cook); Oamaru. Amenities (eateries, stores etc.)within easy walking distance everywhere except in Bealeyand Glentanner.

Avarua, Rarotonga:We will be staying in a motel in the heart of Avarua andwithin a five-minute walk of Avarua harbour. All roomshave their own bathrooms but very limited cookingfacilities.•All amenities in Avarua (eateries, stores, internet etc.)are within a few minutes’ walk.

Note:•You will be expected to share accommodations with other students; typically 4-6 students per room.•WiFi or internet cafes will be available at most but not all accommodations. Plan to be without internet access at some of the more remote accommodations for a few days unless you plan to purchase a New Zealand mobile phone with internet access (available at Christchurch Airport).

FinancesProgram fee $3,300Includes:• Accommodations • 4 group dinners• All in-country transportation• Cultural activities during the five weeks• $384.25 Go Global fee

Program fee of $3,300 does not include:

• Round-trip air ticket (approx. $2,000-$2,100).**Critical that you purchase a flight which includes the Rarotonga leg; it is far more expensive to purchase a separate ticket to/from Rarotonga. Very few airlines fly there; you will have to book with Air New Zealand and early enough to ensure a seat on the only Auckland-Rarotonga flight on 3rd June. This flight will sell out by March 2014.

• UBC tuition for 2 courses.• Immunizations (some immunizations recommended

for the Cook Islands but not required; check with your doctor).

• Groceries/meals. • Visas (not required for Canadian citizens).• Health/travel insurance (should include evacuation

in case of serious illness in Rarotonga).• Personal spending money including internet access.• Day trips and recreation.

Finances

Go Global Award of $1,000:• 70% average in your best 24

credits (8 courses)• Looking at your 2012-13 year – so

last year!• No Fails or Standing Deferreds• Deposited in March directly to

your SSC

Finances

How the Program Fee is paid1. Deposit in early December ($500)

**Flight purchase ideally between Dec-Feb.

2. Second payment in late January ($800)3. Third payment in late February ($1000)4. Fourth payment in mid March ($1000)

Finances

Application process• Deadline: November 13th

• Application is 100% online• Respond to all questions on the application• You may be asked for an interview• Students notified near the end of November

Pre-departure• 1 or 2 separate days on campus in Term 2• Preparation for your five weeks in

the South Pacific• Meet all other students in the

program

Questions?

Program Director• Fes de Scally(fes.descally@ubc.ca)

Go Global Coordinator• Dana Lowton (dana.lowton@ubc.ca)