University of Canterbury Partnership

Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything is included in your program fee.

Below are a selection of activities and excursions from previous terms; options may vary for your program. Due to the seasonal nature of many of program activities, we cannot guarantee a specific activity or excursion will be available in a given term or program.

Activities

• Learning Plan Check-in: Three times during the semester, catch up for a one-on-one with an IFSA team member to discuss your academic progress, housing, and general well-being. This is a great opportunity to ask any questions about roommates, lecturers, and new experiences.
• Weekly Catch-up: Meet your IFSA Student Experience Coordinator on campus or at a local hiking trail, farmers market, museum, or pub quiz night for a snack and take a bit of time out with your IFSA community.
• Reentry Workshop: Study abroad in New Zealand is a great addition to your resume. Learn how to highlight all the transferable skills gained in a powerful and succinct way that will appeal to prospective employers. Reflect on your experience and consider the transition back to your home culture.
• Celebration Dinner: The farewell dinner is the last official get-together with the IFSA crew. It’s time to recount great experiences and reflect on personal and academic growth before preparing for final exams! It’s a fun and memorable send-off, with an awesome culinary experience and plenty of laughs.

Excursions

• Canterbury Volunteer–Kaitiakitanga: Kaitiakitanga (guardianship of environmental resources) is a concept underpinning much of New Zealand’s identity. Give back to Papatūānuku (Mother Earth) and Christchurch at this local volunteer event. Take part in caring for and regenerating some local native bush and wetlands. Perhaps spot some local birds? Enjoy a picnic lunch before being rewarded with a well-deserved soak in the hot pools on the shores of New Brighton Beach.
• Canterbury Overnight: A “Kiwi As” unique New Zealand experience! Fancy getting up close and personal with penguins? Head out of town for the weekend to Pohatu, a small, hidden-away coastal bay nestled between dramatic volcanic headlands on Banks Peninsula. Enjoy a scenic bush walk along the world-famous Banks Peninsula Track and an unforgettable guided sea kayaking experience along the dramatic coastline of Pohatu Marine Reserve, experiencing epic wildlife viewing opportunities the whole way! Stay in a traditional Kiwi bach on a working sheep station right within the penguin colony. At dusk, take a guided tour to view the extremely rare and incredibly special white-flippered penguins. On Sunday, enjoy a gourmet lunch at a top-notch restaurant in Akaroa and enjoy a bit of free time before heading back to Christchurch.
• Canterbury Day Trip: Come and explore the wider Canterbury region and learn about some of the world-class wines produced in the area. Enjoy private transportation while traveling among wineries in the beautiful Waipara region. Whether you’re new to the science of wine or a connoisseur of all things grapes, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more at the cellar door, where our friendly hosts will provide information around the wines, the wine making process, and the uniqueness of the local region.
• Canterbury Cultural: Enjoy a stroll around Christchurch to experience some of the known and lesser-known sights. Head to Quake City, where you will see just how much the September 2010 and February 2011 earthquakes changed Christchurch and its people, and learn about the extraordinary rebuild happening right now. Also enjoy a lunch together with the group at a well-known and buzzing local eatery.

Students live on campus in apartment-style complexes operated by a university housing partner.  

Sample housing  

Explore Ilam Apartments to see what your Christchurch home might be like:  

• Location: On campus. Walk to the main library and classes in five minutes.   
• Living space: Divided into flats (apartments) for up to six students, with private (single) bedrooms, shared bathrooms, and shared kitchen and lounge space. Each student room has a bed, desk, chair, and storage. Complete bedding and towel kit provided. Kitchen includes microwave, refrigerator, oven, toaster, kettle, basic kitchen wares, and cleaning equipment.  
• Meals: For an additional fee, there is a lunch and dinner meal plan available at Ilam Apartments. Please note at least 80 students need to sign up for this to run. Many students prepare or purchase their meals, and often say cooking together is a fun, social part of the day and cost effective.  
• Other details: Internet and on-site laundry facilities included in housing fee. Residential advisors on-site 24 hours. Social activities and events calendar. Common spaces include a kitchen, study room, and more. Bike storage.
• Nearby: Shops and supermarkets. Ilam Gardens. Canterbury Museum. Hagley Park. Walking, running, and cycling trails.