University of Waikato (Waikato, New Zealand)
Program Description
Chicago-Kent can nominate two students per year to study at the University of Waikato for one semester each. The Spring semester will typically run from mid February through late June. The fall semester typically will run from early July through late November. Students can chose to enroll for either semester. Students will pay the tuition at Chicago-Kent and are responsible for any additional expenses. The application deadline for the fall is March 15 and for the spring is October 15. For more information about the university, please click here.
Country Background Notes
"The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year, the British began the first organized colonial settlement. A series of land wars between 1843 and 1872 ended with the defeat of the native peoples. The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars. New Zealand's full participation in a number of defense alliances lapsed by the 1980s. In recent years, the government has sought to address longstanding Maori grievances." This information came from the U.S. Department of State. Read the Department of State Background Notes on New Zealand for additional information.
Country Travel Notes
"There’s a reason the sun shines on New Zealand before anywhere else – every new day in Aotearoa is something to cherish! Small, remote and thinly populated, yes, but NZ punches well above its weight with its outlandish scenery, fabulous festivals, superb food and wine, and magical outdoor experiences. Equally impressive is NZ’s potent, mainstream Maori culture. This is a country that recognises and celebrates its indigenous people – the world is a kinder, gentler, more respectful place down here! And while the fanfare surrounding the Lord of the Rings trilogy is waning, visiting the real-life Middle-earth still has a geeky allure - LOTR director Peter Jackson's filmmaking prowess still holds Wellington (aka ‘Wellywood’) in its thrall." This information came from Lonely Planet's online travel guide. For more information on travel and hostels check out Lonely Planet’s travel guide here.
Weather Report
"NZ sits smack-bang in the Roaring Forties, which means it gets ‘freshened’ (some say blasted) by cool, damp winds blowing in from the Tasman Sea and is consistently slapped by the winds howling through Cook Strait.
On the South Island, the Southern Alps act as a barrier for these moisture-laden easterlies, creating a wet climate on the western side of the mountains (around 7500mm of rain annually!), and a dry climate on the eastern side (about 330mm). After dumping their moisture, the winds continue east, gathering heat and speed as they blow downhill and cross the Canterbury Plains; in summer this katabatic or föhn wind can be hot and fierce.
On the North Island, the western sides of the high volcanoes attract a lot more rain than eastern slopes, but the rain shadow isn’t as pronounced as in the south – the barrier here isn’t as formidable as the Alps. North Island rainfall averages around 1300mm annually." This information came from The Weather Channel. Find out the current weather report in Wellington (approximately 142 KM from Waikato) clicking here.
|
