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Explore the South Pacific in a Summer Study Abroad Program!

While classes in North America wind down over the summer, universities in Australia and New Zealand are in full swing. Students can take advantage of the seasonal differences to expand their education and explore the nations of the South Pacific by enrolling in a summer study abroad program.

Since the semester is already underway in the South Pacific during our ‘summer break’, students undertaking summer study in New Zealand and Australia participate in short-term programs that fit their schedule while discovering the remarkable landscapes, coastlines and rich cultures of their host nation.

Where are New Zealand and Australia Summer Study Abroad Programs Held?

Summer study programs are offered through many major universities throughout Australia and New Zealand. In fact, programs are offered by institutions in most major cities. Whether you prefer New Zealand or Australia, summer term options suitable for most fields of study are available.

Why Enroll in a Summer Study Abroad Program?

Studying abroad during the summer is an ideal opportunity to make the most of time between spring and fall semesters at home. Not only does a summer study abroad program allow students to continue their education, but it also provides a rare opportunity to explore the world.

When it comes to summer study australia and New Zealand offer students exceptional opportunities and academic programs. Because seasons in the South Pacific are opposite those of the Northern Hemisphere, the universities there are in full operation during this time. During a New Zealand or Australia summer term, students may choose any number of intriguing programs of study that may not be available at their home university during this time.

Since summer term programs offered at this time are of shorter duration, students can select a summer study abroad program that best fits their university’s schedule and their own course of study. Happily, there are any number of excellent New Zealand and Australia summer study programs available.

Applying for a Summer Study Abroad Program

The application process for these programs is similar to that used by most universities in North America. Applying for a summer study abroad program in the South Pacific typically involves completing an application form or forms. A copy of your official college transcripts will be required and typically a small fee is involved. References from faculty members of your home college or university are often required too. To ensure you have all the required materials on hand, fully research the requirements of any program in which you have interest.

Students find summer study abroad programs an experience rich in opportunities both academically and personally. Enrolling in a New Zealand or Australia summer term program makes the most of your time between full semesters and provides a once in a lifetime glimpse of your place in the world.

paulo szot south pacific abc TV special some enchanted evening
Video Rating: 5 / 5

by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center

Explore Exotic Ports Of Call In The North And South Pacific To Choose Your Cruise…

With all of the decisions that you have to make before taking a cruise, you may think that picking a cruise destination is the least of your worries. Four, seven, twenty-nine days on a luxurious cruise ship with nothing to do but while away the hours and absorb the scenery, who cares when and where you port? It’s all bound to be good, right?

Not necessarily. Many popular ports of call are visited by numerous cruise ships belonging to different cruise lines each and every day. These ports are often crowded and so touristy in nature that it is hard to enjoy or even discern the cultural allure that made these ports popular in the first place. For this reason, you should always research the ports of call offered in your cruise package as well as the ship that you book passage on.

Sapphire Princess: Ports of Call North And South Pacific

In this article we will look at just one of Princess Cruise Line’s ships, the Sapphire Princess, which visits numerous ports of call each year. In the summer months, she tours the waters of Alaska bypassing scenic glacier formations and during the rest of the year she can be found touring Mexico, Australia, and the South Pacific. Below is a brief review of two of the most popular cruises offered aboard the Sapphire Princess and just a few of her ports of call.

Hawaii, Tahiti, and the South Pacific

This amazing 29-day cruise begins in Sydney, Australia and takes a leisurely tour of the South Pacific making numerous stops before landing at Los Angeles nearly a full month later. The pricing for this cruise starts at ,499 for an inside stateroom but is well worth the cost. On day 17 of this cruise, passengers are able to enjoy a full day in Bora Bora, French Polynesia. On day 23, the ship ports at Honolulu, Hawaii.

Bora Bora

Bora Bora’s main attraction is its multi-colored crystal clear lagoon and the many water-based activities that it offers. Some of the most popular activities include shark feeding, snorkeling, and scuba diving. If you need to get away from the ocean for a little while and test your sea legs on dry ground, Bora Bora offers scenic tours to see WWII cannons and breathtaking views of the lagoon from the hills above.

In addition to these attractions, there are numerous fine restaurants and shops to be found in Bora Bora. Unfortunately, transportation is a bit complicated on the island with only one public bus. Bicycles are the recommended mode of transportation for tourists to this area.

Honolulu

Honolulu is the most popular destination in Hawaii and for good reason. No matter what you desire to do, Honolulu can deliver. Its premier beach, Waikiki, is reputedly one of the best beaches in the world. Aside from lounging on the beach, you can also enjoy scuba diving, deep sea fishing, and snorkeling. Land-based attractions include numerous golf courses, the Honolulu Botanical Gardens, the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, the Honolulu Zoo, and the Waikiki Aquarium.

If you’re a history buff, you might want to visit Pearl Harbor while you are in Honolulu. Here you will find the USS Arizona Memorial which is dedicated to those who gave their lives at Pearl Harbor during World War II.

Voyage of the Glaciers, Alaska

This seven-day cruise is quite a deal with pricing starting at 9 for an inside stateroom. Guests are treated to leisurely days filled with scenic glacier cruising as well as several stops as the ship travels from Whittier to Vancouver. On day three of this excursion, the cruise passes through Glacier Bay National Park. On day six, the Sapphire Princess makes port at Ketchikan, Alaska.

Glacier Bay National Park

Some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world can be seen from the rails of a cruise ship on a leisurely trek through the Glacier Bay National Park. For a full day, passengers aboard the Sapphire Princess’s Voyage of the Glacier Cruise can sit spellbound as awe-inspiring images of ice shelves and beautiful glaciers pass slowly by.

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve features 16 tidewater glaciers and 12 icebergs. Here you can also catch a glimpse of the abundant wildlife that calls the glaciers home. Creatures that call this region home include bears, deer, mountain goats, whales, and numerous types of waterfowl.

Ketchikan

More than 800,000 cruise passengers make port at Ketchikan, Alaska each year. What they find is a mind-boggling array of activities that makes this back-woods, sparsely-populated wilderness one of the most adventurous ports of call in the world.

While many activities in Ketchikan require more time than an average cruise port will allow, there are several activities that can be done during a short stay. Some of these activities include exploring the historic downtown area; visiting Saxman Totem Park, Totem Bight State Historical Park, or the Totem Heritage Center and Tribal Fish Hatchery to look at totem poles; going hiking in the Tongass National Forest; going kayaking; taking one of the many boat or air tours offered in the area; visiting historical exhibits; or chartering a fishing boat to test your skills against the teeming population of halibut and salmon.

Remember; this is only a glimpse at a couple of ports of call on two of the Sapphire Princess’s cruises. All the major cruise lines will have many different cruise packages and that will make multiple ports of call on each voyage. So be sure to research the cruise thoroughly before you make your final destination decision.

ABC’s Broadway Backstage Spring Preview Special on SOUTH PACIFIC at Lincoln Center Theater, including an interview with Kelli O’Hara.

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