Overview

GlobaLinks Learning Abroad, formerly known as AustraLearn, offers semester and year abroad programs at the University of Waikato. The University of Waikato is one of New Zealand's most modern and innovative universities, based in the river city of Hamilton, with a satellite campus located in Tauranga.

Waikato are home to more than 13,000 students including close to 2,000 international students from over 70 countries.

The University has a distinctive New Zealand character derived from our region. Waikato is the Maori name meaning “flowing water”, a name shared with New Zealand’s longest river and our home province. At Waikato, students can combine major and supporting subjects from over 3000 courses, providing a sound basis for future employment or further study.

Established in 1964, the University is spread over a beautifully landscaped 68 hectare campus, a short distance from the center of Hamilton. Hamilton is New Zealand’s fourth largest city located in the North Island, 90 minutes drive south of Auckland. It has a population of 143,000 people and is central to many of New Zealand’s most popular tourist attractions and outdoor activities – surfing, skiing, whitewater rafting, hiking, caving, climbing, kayaking to name a few. Scenic river walks, numerous parks and gardens, and a growing café and restaurant culture enable students to enjoy a relaxed yet cosmopolitan environment, with a lower cost of living than many other New Zealand cities.

Learn More About University of Waikato:

Location

Academic Highlights

The University of Waikato believes in innovation and forward thinking and is constantly developing programs to cater to the world’s changing industry environment. The University of Waikato is committed to research excellence. In the nationwide research rankings completed in 2007, Waikato ranked #1 in New Zealand in: accounting and finance; chemistry; communication and media studies; computer science, information technology and information sciences; ecology, evolution and behavior; general business; human resources; industrial relations; international business; management; molecular, cellular and whole organisms biology; pure and applied mathematics; music, literary arts and other arts. The University has many academic staff working with international government and non-government organizations.

Academic regulations give students flexibility to combine major and supporting subjects according to their individual interests and abilities, with semester study abroad students often able to take courses across several schools of study and disciplines. International students are encouraged to take courses exploring New Zealand and Pacific society, in particular the colorful and fascinating local Maori Culture.

University Services

Housing

As a GlobaLinks Learning Abroad student you are guaranteed pre-arranged accommodation to fit your lifestyle. There are a variety of housing options available which you will apply for after acceptance. Read below for more specific options offered at this university:

There are four Halls of Residence on campus which can accommodate up to 1,000 students. The accommodation advisory service can also help students to find places in private board or in shared flats and houses.

All Halls of Residence are coed, however, there are a limited number of rooms in areas designated women-only. Students wishing to live on a women-only floor of a residence hall or wanting to live in the self-catered apartments should let AustraLearn know as early as possible.

Orientation

In addition to the GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Bridging Cultures Program, all students will participate in a university specific orientation.

All first year international students are required to attend the compulsory orientation program, which is held during the week preceding the start of classes. It complements the in-country orientation program offered to you by AustraLearn, and information will be sent to you regarding the dates that you need to arrive in New Zealand. The program is fun and informative and includes academic course and enrollment advice, an introduction to university and Halls of Residence life, tours of the university and Hamilton city, and an off-campus trip to a major tourism destination.

Orientation is an excellent opportunity for new students to meet other international students and university staff, including the Waikato International staff, and to make support contacts. A welcome pack with local information is provided for all new international students at the beginning of the orientation program.

Scholarships Available

In addition to the scholarships offered by GlobaLinks Learning Abroad, University of Waikato supports GlobaLinks Learning Abroad students with two $300NZD awards each year.

Special Programs/Excursions

Get Involved Abroad

Extracurricular Activities

New Zealand’s largest winter ski areas are less than three hours drive to the south. Two of the best surfing beaches in New Zealand are located between 45-90 minutes drive away to the east and west of the city. To the south, the cities of Rotorua and Taupo offer an enormous range of Māori, geothermal, and adventure sport activities and attractions. Forest parks, lakes, thermal hot pools and limestone caves can be found all over the Waikato region. Lake Karapiro, only 25 minutes drive from Hamilton, offers world class rowing and other water sport activities. Fishing, tramping and mountain biking are also well catered for. If you're not claustrophobic you could head underground and experience the thrill of caving - float through limestone caves on inner tubes or even abseil down into the famous 'Lost World' at Waitomo Caves, just 40 minutes drive from Hamilton. Fishing, tramping, mountain biking are particularly well catered for, with the Waikato becoming the extreme sports capital of New Zealand.

There are many sports and activity clubs on campus in which students can become involved. Students enjoy a wide variety of commercial and recreational facilities, including an extensive indoor recreation center, theatres, game rooms, lounges and cafeterias, centers of worship, large sports grounds, and a summer swimming and diving pool. If your particular hobby or sport is not offered on campus, the Clubs office will put you in touch with a community club. The Academy of Performing Arts provides a continuous calendar of high quality theatre and music, including the bi-annual Festival of New Zealand Theatre. Also, students can attend discounted student screenings of recently released major movies on campus throughout the semester.

Community Involvement

While abroad, we recommend getting involved in your local community. It's an awesome way to meet locals, experience the true New Zealand culture, and create long lasting memories. From volunteering to festival-going, we challenge you to make the most of your international experience... See a sample of community involvement opportunities available in Hamilton or discover your own upon arrival!

You'll get a taste of how enriching community involvement can be during your first few days in New Zealand on the GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Bridging Cultures Program. The program includes pre-arranged volunteering with the local community. You'll interact directly with locals while giving back to and sharing your own culture with the community that first welcomes you to New Zealand. Plus, you can continue your volunteer efforts later in the semester by signing up for the GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Conservation Volunteer Weekend.

Enhance Your Experience

Global Identity Course

While studying at Waikato, you can maximize your study abroad experience by enrolling in the Global Identity course (EdPA 3103 Connecting Your International Experience to Your Future). The course will help you articulate the value of your experience to future employers, demonstrate your intercultural development and skills, and understand intercultural interactions.

This one-credit, online course is offered by the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities exclusively for students studying with GlobaLinks Learning Abroad. LEARN MORE>

Global Citizens Development Modules

The Global Citizen Development modules are online learning components designed to help you explore your study abroad destination and experience at a whole new level. These modules are not mandatory, however we strongly encourage your participation as they will introduce you to the opportunities and challenges you may encounter when participating in a study abroad program, as well as expose you to cultural insights and knowledge about your host country to help make your program abroad even more successful and fulfilling. Through the 3 modules, you will refine your skills in cross-cultural observation, adaptation, and communication.  

Course Catalog

Photo Slideshow

Watch a slideshow of photos highlighting the University of Waikato.

Fees

Fee Includes

Program Fees: As a GlobaLinks Learning Abroad study abroad participant, you will be required to enroll as a full-time student; typically this is 3-4 classes, which is equivalent to 12-16 U.S. semester credit hours. Your program fees are in U.S. dollars and include the host university semester tuition for 4 subjects, university administrative fees, overseas health insurance, the Basic ISIC card, our renowned Bridging Cultures Program on-site orientation and the GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Personalized Support and Service.

With GlobaLinks Learning Abroad you will receive Personalized Support and Service through our four point philosophy to manage your program:

1.) Personal Program Selection & Planning: Personal service & advising, academic planning and credit transfer assistance, program location, housing advice, financial assistance.

2.) Pre and Post Orientation and Preparation: Our MyLearn on-line enrollment information and process, comprehensive program information and departure webinar, immigration visa support and advice, airline ticket and group flight assistance, global citizen development modules.

3.) Cultural Integration: On-site Bridging Cultures Program, on-site resident director services and advising, academic support, guaranteed housing and placement, volunteer and community involvement opportunities.

4.) Reflection and Application of the Experience: Beyond Study Abroad Program, The EnCompass Alumni Program, program evaluation opportunity, resume building and review, alumni handbook and transcript services. 

Housing Fees: The Housing Fees are approximates and are in addition to the Program Fees. GlobaLinks Learning Abroad offers you “Housing to Fit Your Lifestyle” and you are guaranteed a placement in a wide variety of quality housing options to accommodate your academic, personal and budgetary needs during your experience abroad. The housing fees listed indicate an approximate cost for the options available on that program which may represent apartments/flats, houses and/or dormitories/residential halls, living within the local community or on-campus with locals and other international students. Private single rooms are standard (although double rooms are available) and are fully furnished, including comfort amenities with access to internet and telephone. Students who choose to arrange their own accommodation upon arrival will be charged the Program Fee only, as they will be responsible for making payment directly to the housing provider once accommodation has been arranged.

Additional Subject & Gym Membership Fees: Additional charges may apply for science, media, fine arts, or journalism subjects at some universities and students who undertake subjects where the university requires additional fees will be billed directly by the home university upon final enrolment. Gym and student union memberships are optional to students. If you wish to join, you may do so on arrival by contacting the international office at your host university.

Fee Advice

Facts

Dates

Entry Requirements

Programs in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji Coordinator

Name: Christie J. Cutler Title: Senior Coordinator, Outreach and Student Services Department: BIO: Christie manages study abroad admissions and participant pre-trip services for students attending Universities in Australia and New Zealand including Australian National University, AUT University, Griffith University, Lincoln University, Massey University, University of Auckland, University of Canberra, University of Canterbury, University of Waikato and University of Wollongong . Christie graduated with a B.A. in Spanish from Rollins College in 2005. Her study abroad experience in Asturias, Spain sparked her interest in international education. Since college, Christie has run community service programs in Costa Rica and Peru, taught English in Spain, and worked with study abroad and exchange students at Middlebury College in Vermont. Christie holds a Masters in Intercultural Relations, with a focus on International Education, from Lesley University. In addition to her work and study experiences, Christie has also traveled to Argentina, Brazil, the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic, England, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Scotland and Uruguay. Advice From The Coordinator: Raglan! Raglan! The students cannot get enough of this surfer’s town, located 30 minutes from the city of Hamilton!