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Frontiers Abroad: Geology (Outgoing Program)

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Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Language of instruction: English Housing options: Apartment, Field Camp
Areas of study: Anthropology, Art History, Astronomy, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Botany, Chemistry, Child Development, Classics, Computer Science, Creative Writing, Culture, Earth Science, Ecology, Economics, Education, Engineering, English, Environmental Studies, European Studies, Film, Forestry, Geography, Geology, History, Humanities, Independent/Directed Research, Indigenous Studies, International Relations, Liberal Arts, Linguistics, Literature, Math/Statistics, Media Studies, Molecular Biology, Music, Philosophy, Photography, Physics, Politics, Pre-Health, Pre-Law, Psychology, Public Health, Sciences, Social Sciences, Sociology, Zoology Class standing: 1 - Second Semester Sophomore, 2 - Junior, 3 - First Semester Senior
Program type: Direct enrollment, Experiential/field-based, Hybrid GPA: 3.0
Program Description:
geologyNew Zealand comprises two large islands, the North Island and the South Island, as well as many smaller islands. The indigenous Maori have named the country Aotearoa which is often translated into English as "The Land of the Long White Cloud." New Zealand owes its varied topography to its position straddling the Pacific and Indo-Australian Plates. The Southern Alps run the length of the South Island, with the highest peak in the range and the country, Mount Cook, standing at an impressive 12,320 feet. There are 18 peaks on the South Island that reach over 10,000 feet in height. The North Island is home to numerous volcanoes. The tallest peak on the North Island, the 9,000 foot-tall Mount Ruapehu, is an active cone volcano. When not admiring the towering peaks or steaming volcanoes, one should take advantage of New Zealand's culture, which has been influenced by a mixture of British, American, Australian, Maori, European, Polynesian, and Asian cultures.

Christchurch is the South Island's largest city with about 370,000 inhabitants. A short distance from both the snowcapped Alps and the Pacific coastline, Christchurch is in an ideal location for the outdoor enthusiast. Lovers of art will also appreciate the city's thriving art scene. Christchurch boasts many beautiful parks, including a free botanical garden, that are inviting to walkers and joggers, or one may prefer to sit along the Avon river and watch the water flow on by.

The Frontiers Abroad program offers students a unique opportunity in New Zealand. The program begins with a five-week field component around the North Island and South Island in which students study the country's geology history, active volcanoes, and active plate boundaries, among other subjects. Following the field camp, students enroll full-time at the University of Canterbury and take their courses with Kiwi students.  

Academic Program
Before classes begin at the university, students take part in the Geology Field Course (5 U.S. semester credits; 1.25 Pomona credits), a five week long field component that visits both the South and North Islands. This field component is divided into several modules that will help students decipher the geologic evolution of New Zealand. In addition to field work, students will prepare maps and receive on-site lectures from program staff.  Please reference the Frontiers Abroad website for program-specific details. Once the university semester begins, students continue with research they initiated during the field camp in the Research Methods in Geology course (4 U.S. semester credits; 1 Pomona credit). Students may not take the field study or research methods courses on a CR/NC basis.

During the semester, students also enroll in one course in the Department of Geological Sciences and two additional elective courses at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch. One elective course must be a humanities or social science course with a focus on New Zealand content. Each university course is typically worth 4 U.S. semester credits (1 Pomona credit).

Students typically enroll in 21 Frontiers Abroad credits to earn 5.25 Pomona credits.

Living Arrangements
During the field component, students mostly camp. During the semester, students are placed in university housing close to campus.

Number of Students
Frontiers Abroad enrolls approximately 25 students, selected from a national pool.

Host Institutions
Frontiers Abroad
University of Canterbury 

Faculty Liaisons
Bob Gaines
Jade Star Lackey

Eligibility
  • Completion of an introductory Geology course in the 20 series and two Geology courses at the 100-level or above.
Preference will be given to Geology majors. At least one letter of recommendation must come from a Geology professor. Students should meet with on of the faculty liaisons. 

Internet Links
http://frontiersabroad.com/ 
https://frontiersabroad.com/geology-of-new-zealand

Travel Advisories  

Dates / Deadlines:
Dates / Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline (Pacific Time) Decision Date Start Date End Date
Spring 2025 09/08/2024 10/04/2024 TBA TBA