Top ten things to do while studying abroad in... New Zealand
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calendar_month 01 Mar 2011, 00:00
To promote its "Kiwiburger", McDonald's once came up with a song that went like this: "Kiwis love hot pools, rugby balls, McDonalds, snapper schools, world peace, woolly fleece, Ronald and raising beasts..." - and that was just the first line. The catchy advertising tune summed up much of what this small island nation of just over four million people in the Pacific Ocean is famous for from its national rugby team, the All Blacks, to its indigenous Maori culture; its picturesque landscape to its Hollywood success in Lord of the Rings.

For many an undergraduate student considering studying abroad, New Zealand may be a long way from home, but the hours and possibly days you will spend on an airplane to get there would be well worth it. Top Universities has come up with the top ten things any undergraduate student should do to get the most out of your time studying abroad in New Zealand.

1. Explore Middle Earth

Location: Lord of the Rings was filmed all over New Zealand. As such, no matter where in the country you choose to study, chances are there will be a patch of Middle Earth near you.

Nearest universities: The University of AUCKLAND; VICTORIA University of Wellington; MASSEY University; University of WAIKATO; University of OTAGO; University of CANTERBURY

Thanks to the epic trilogy that was Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings, New Zealand is now firmly planted on the Hollywood map. From Hobbiton to Mordor, Lothlrien to the Mines of Moria, tourists are flocking to Middle Earth to see for themselves the beautiful scenery, encapsulated in these films. If you're considering studying abroad for your undergraduate degree, and you have an interest in film studies, New Zealand could be the perfect destination for you. Just watch out for those hobbits!

2. Visit Auckland City of Sails

Nearest universities: The University of AUCKLAND;

It may not be New Zealand's capital, but it's certainly the country's largest and most internationally diverse city. Built on a volcanic landscape, surrounded by the Manukau and Waitemata Harbours, Auckland is a boating enthusiast's dream. But if you prefer to have your feet on solid ground, Auckland is the city for international music concerts, art galleries, retail therapy and entertainment. The Auckland Sky Tower, the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere, also has a bungy jump for those that dare! Yet the real attraction of Auckland is that tourists and undergraduate students alike can have the best of both worlds: a bustling metropolitan city within walking, biking and driving distance of beautiful beaches, mountain biking tracks, coastal walks and native bush.

3. Watch a game of rugby - New Zealand's national sport

Location: Kiwis are passionate about rugby. As such, there'll be a rugby stadium in every major university town, so there's no excuse not to watch the game first hand.ac

Nearest universities:The University of AUCKLAND; VICTORIA University of Wellington; MASSEY University; University of WAIKATO; University of OTAGO; University of CANTERBURY

If there's one thing everyone knows about New Zealand, it's the All Blacks the country's national rugby team. Even those who ask whether rugby is played with an oval-shaped ball or a round ball (it's the oval-shaped one in case you're wondering), is likely to have heard of Jonah Lomu. There's an intense, but friendly, rivalry between different rugby regions throughout the country. So dress up in the local colours and head down to catch a game of New Zealand's national sport with your fellow Kiwi students (if only to help understand the rules of the game!). Your study abroad experience won't be complete without it!



Did you know? The All Blacks perform a traditional Maori war dance called the Haka at the start of every international match. (It's quite a spectacle watch it here)

4. Hit the slopes, the beach or the lakes all in one day

Nearest universities: University of WAIKATO

Nearly all of New Zealand's major cities are on the coast and those that aren't are less than an hour's drive inland. But there's one city in particular where you can experience all that is great about New Zealand without having to drive for more than two hours. If you're studying abroad in Hamilton, a city in the North Island just over an hour's drive from Auckland, your weekend activity schedule is sure to be action-packed. Top spots to check out include Raglan, New Zealand's number one surfing spot, which boasts one of the world's best left hand breaks; Mount Maunganui, a popular East coast beach and home to many a sporting or music event; Taupo, home to bungy jumping, jet boating and sky diving; and the Whakapapa and Turoa skifields. What's more, the city's University of Waikato is ranked in the QS World University Rankings, so you're guaranteed a world-class education.

5. Wine and dine your way around New Zealand

Nearest universities: VICTORIA University of Wellington; University of CANTERBURY

Yes, it's true. There are more sheep than people in New Zealand, but that's to be expected when agriculture is the country's main export industry. Expect to see beef and lamb as well as dairy farms during your time studying abroad, and don't be surprised by the amount of meat and ice cream you may consume. However, this isn't a bad thing when any meal can be washed down with a glass of some of New Zealand's finest wine. The country is fast making a name for itself in the viticulture industry, in particular in the form of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Take a weekend break from the study books or perhaps save it as a reward once your exams are over and head to Marlborough for a wine tour.

6. Visit Wellington, New Zealand's capital

Nearest universities: VICTORIA University of Wellington; MASSEY University;

New Zealander's are known for their innovative spirit, so it should come as no surprise that even their government does things a little bit differently. Like works out of an architecturally unique building, fondly named The Beehive. But that's not the only building of interest in the capital. No visit to Wellington, in fact no visit to New Zealand, is complete without a visit to Te Papa. Situated on the city's picturesque waterfront, New Zealand's national museum, hosts a range of both permanent and travelling exhibitions.

See beautiful Maori cloaks, step into a traditional marae, get up close to a colossal squid, or experience what an earthquake would feel like. Te Papa is in downtown Wellington, so once you've finished exploring the exhibitions take a walk up Cuba St where an eclectic array of shops, cafes and locals will await you. Did you know? Wellington and its harbour are situated on an active geological faultline, known as the Pacific Ring of Fire. This means earthquakes are a regular occurrence in the city although fortunately, most of the time, they're so far underground that residents won't even feel a rumble.

7. Go bush... on one of New Zealand's great walks

Location: Most of New Zealand's most famous walks are in the South Island, but the Tongariro Crossing, which spans the length of Mt Tongariro in the North Island, is also a major attraction.

Nearest universities: University of OTAGO; University of CANTERBURY

Camping and tramping (hiking to those in the Northern Hemisphere) are popular pastimes for Kiwis. Find a remote patch of bush, set up a canvas tent, or walk for days on end with a pack on your back, and do without a shower for at least a week. Yes, this is many a New Zealander's idea of a holiday! But don't knock it until you try it, because there's actually something special about ditching the technology and being close to nature for a period of time. Most, if not all, of New Zealand's universities will have tramping clubs, so if you're studying abroad in this country renowned for its clean, green image and beautiful scenery, what are you waiting for? Start researching the Milford Track, the Heaphy Track, the Routeburn Track or the Queen Charlotte Track and get ready to hit the trail (or track as Kiwis call it).

8. Take in a performance at The Court Theatre, Christchurch

Nearest universities:University of CANTERBURY

Situated in the beautiful old stone buildings that once housed the University of Canterbury or Canterbury College as it was then known - The Court Theatre is New Zealand's foremost (and Christchurch's only) theatre company. Founded in 1971, it has since gone on to become the most successful arts organization in New Zealand so if you're an arts student studying abroad in New Zealand, or simply have a passion for the creative, this is a must-do.

New Zealand's second largest city is also home to the International Antarctic Centre, the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and perhaps New Zealand's most successful provincial rugby team, the Canterbury Crusaders - not to mention the Wizard of Canterbury. It's also a great spot from which to explore Kaikoura, a popular place for whale watching. Other attractions include Hanmer Springs, a thermal pool and spa resort; Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest peak; and Akaroa a little bit of France in the Southern Hemisphere.

Did you know? In 1848, a member of the Canterbury Association, suggested Christchurch be named "Christ Church" after the famous college at Oxford University. However, it was written down as one word in the minutes of the meeting and has been called Christchurch ever since. But that's not the only English connection this city has. There's also the river Avon running through it, Brighton beach and street names including Hereford, Worcester, Manchester and Oxford.

9. Get high on adrenaline

Location: The two most popular areas in New Zealand for adrenaline-related activities are Rotorua and Taupo in the North Island and Queenstown in the South Island.

Nearest universities: The University of AUCKLAND; VICTORIA University of Wellington; MASSEY University; University of WAIKATO; University of OTAGO; University of CANTERBURY

Jet boating, white water rafting, sky diving, bungy jumping these are just some of the adrenaline-fuelled sports on offer in New Zealand that are likely to be irresistible to any undergraduate student studying abroad, and particularly one celebrating the end of exams! Bungy jumping was invented in New Zealand by entrepreneur A. J Hackett, so what better place to throw yourself off a bridge with some stretchy rope tied around your ankles than in the place where it all began?

10. Visit Dunedin New Zealand's student city

Nearest universities: University of OTAGO;

Home of New Zealand's first university the University of Otago, the second-highest ranked New Zealand university in the QS World University Rankings Dunedin has cemented itself as the country's student city, and certainly lives up to its name. 'Scarfies', the local nickname given to the city's students, are known for their student pranks and for their ability to party. But the university also attracts students with its quality of education the University of Otago has an international reputation for research excellence. Meanwhile, the city of Dunedin boasts such attractions as Lanarch Castle; Otago Peninsula, home to seals and albatrosses; Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the world; and is less than two hours drive from Queenstown New Zealand's premier visitor destination.

1) North Island The University of AUCKLAND; VICTORIA University of Wellington; MASSEY University; University of WAIKATO

2) South Island University of OTAGO; University of CANTERBURY