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Panoramic view of tourquise ocean around Lyttelton Harbour, one of two major inlets in Banks Peninsula, on the coast of South Island, Canterbury, New Zealand.

Program at a Glance

University of Canterbury

Country or area New Zealand
City Christchurch
Class Level Jr, Sr, Gr
Experience Type Immersion
Minimum GPA 2.75
Term Fall Semester, Spring Semester
Taught In English
Language Prereq no
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About The Program

In the vibrant city of Christchurch, the University of Canterbury has something for everyone—inside and outside the classroom. A wide range of courses makes the program ideal for any major, especially if you are interested in science. Take classes like Maori culture, Antarctic studies fieldwork, or independent research in biology. Kickstart your career with an internship guided by a coordinator and integrated with coursework. Nature lovers will get lost in the natural beauty surrounding Christchurch—rivers, lakes, and mountains. For city lovers, Christchurch captures kiwi culture, ensuring there’s always something creative and quirky around the corner. 

WHERE YOU'LL STUDY

The University of Canterbury campus has a central complex of libraries, lecture theaters, computer suites, studios, and labs. Easy to traverse by foot or bike, the campus contains a recreation center, galleries, and 15 eateries to visit between classes. The university welcomes international students with an induction ceremony, orientation, and academic workshops. Christchurch's Avon River meanders through the campus near playing fields, woodlands, and the Ilam Gardens. Outside of the campus, the university has an extensive network of field stations for research, including an astronomical research facility.




There is something undeniably brave about taking an internship opportunity, especially while abroad. In retrospect, I see that the internship pushed me out of my comfort zone in a way I had not been before. I was by far the youngest person in the organization and also an exchange student with very little experience in my field, and yet, I came away from it appreciative and rich in experience.


Kaitlyn Thomas UC Santa Barbara Environmental Studies New Zealand