Faculty Director Cam Davidson discusses the Geology in New Zealand program, which he and Dan Maxbauer will run next in Winter of 2027.
What was the inspiration behind this program? Why study Geology in New Zealand?
This is a two part answer:
1. There are not that many winter term programs, so this fills that need since our winter is NZ’s summer, and to do geology in temperate areas like New Zealand, the best time is summer.
2. NZ is a remarkable place in terms of Plate Tectonics and Geology. It sits on a plate boundary between the Pacific and Australian plates, and there is an extraordinary amount of different types of geology crammed into a relatively small footprint. This allows us to do a wide variety of projects on both the North Island and South Island during the 10 weeks of the program.
What does a typical day look like on the program?
Hmmm. This is a tough one to answer. The short answer is that there are no typical days. This is because many of the stops, especially on the North Island during the first half of the program are tide dependent, so we go at low tide and rest at high tide. Having said that, this program is structured more like a geologic field camp, where you get up early, eat breakfast together, and out the door without returning “home” until dinner time. That is, we typically eat lunch together in the field.
How is student housing organized?
This varies. Some locations students share small cabins with a kitchen and bathroom, to dormitory type locations with bunks and shared bathrooms. In some places we do the cooking as a group, have a catering service cook for us, or you cook for yourselves in small groups.
What makes this program unique? What do you want students to know about New Zealand?
Unlike many programs, we move around the country and stay at various locations. The length of stays vary from 2 nights to over a week. We move around the country using 12 passenger vans pulling trailers with all our stuff. Works well, and it gives you a chance to see more of New Zealand than many locals get to see!
What are you most looking forward to?
I teach the South Island where we do week long geologic mapping projects. I love this, and we stay at some amazing places including a remote ski lodge in the Craigieburn Range and the more touristic Kaikoura along the coast where we get to swim with dolphins. I also rather enjoy sipping a flat white and eating salmon eggs bene while overlooking the ocean.
Why should students consider going on an off-campus studies program?
It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to see and work on amazing geology in a breathtaking backdrop that includes many landscapes from Middle-earth. You even get to visit Hobbiton.
