Container mall

A number of them have even found a creative new use for the humble container. AUIP’s, Eleanor, was recently in Christchurch and enjoyed lunch in RE:Start, which is the new container mall that has been erected in Cashel Street, bordering the red zone. Lonely Planet were also recently in Christchurch and have written this thorough article, not only on RE:Start, but on the other exciting developments taking place around the city. Check it out here: What to do in Christchurch: your post-quake guide

On the South Island of New Zealand, students from Grizzlies Abroad and Eagles Abroad, including myself, had the privilege of participating in some amazing adventures.

Students in the New Zealand sustainable business study abroad program kayak off the shores of Abel Tasman National Park

We kayaked off the shores of a majestic national park. We glided through the water, taking in the spectacular sights and sounds of Abel Tasman Park.

We received a firsthand account of the history and culture of the Ngai Tahu Tribe. We visited a piece of land where they lived hundreds of years ago, learned how to weave the leaves of plants, played an intense outdoor game and heard how tribal members have integrated resources from nature into their culture.

Students tested their coordination learning a fun new game during a Maori cultural tour in Kaikoura, New Zealand

We dove into the open ocean and come face to face with one of nature’s most intelligent creatures. We made other funny noises to attract dolphins to us while we swam in the open ocean. There were hundreds, even thousands of dolphins. It was amazing to look them in the eye and swim in circles with our playful mammal counterparts.

In Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world, we visited the site of the world’s first bungy jump company AJ Hackett – which is still going strong. We also heard from the sustainability-minded owners of ZipTrek, whose customers fly down the scenic mountainsides on a zip line.

All of these businesses care about the environment and rely on nature to keep their operations alive.  Teaching visitors about the importance of caring for the world around them is a big part of the way they do business.

After getting to experience what these businesses have to offer, it’s hard not to appreciate the many amazing aspects of nature. I hope these experiences inspire my fellow classmates and all the other lucky visitors to support sustainable causes so we can continue to enjoy the spectacular sites, scenery, wildlife and culture in New Zealand.

Well, come tomorrow, January 26, that’s exactly what happens on Australia Day. The nation simply celebrates what’s great about Australia and being Australian.

State War Memorial in Kings Park, Perth, Australia

January 26 was chosen as Australia Day because it’s the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of 11 convict ships from Great Britain in 1788. Although, the tradition of having Australia Day as a national holiday on January 26 is a recent development. Only in 1935, all the Australian states and territories agreed to use that name to mark that date. And not until 1994 did the country begin celebrating Australia Day consistently as a public holiday on that date. Read a full history of the Day here.

Whether it’s with a barbecue in the backyard with friends, a huge city fireworks display or a ceremony honoring heroes, Aussies all find a way to remember achievements and be proud of their nation.

Be sure to check out the official website for further information and fun facts! Also, let us know if you’re an Aussie and doing something unique for Australia Day.

On our second to last day in New Zealand we did the Dolphin Encounter. Now, I refuse to pick a favorite activity that we did because I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s impossible to do so.  But the dolphin day is definitely one of the top activities that I loved doing.

Dusky dolphins at Kaikoura

We weren’t just swimming with a number of twenty something, even fifty something dolphins, but literally hundreds and hundreds of completely wild dusky dolphins that hail to the Kaikoura Peninsula for the abundant food supply.

We made five stops around the Peninsula and at each location, no matter where I looked, I was surrounded by an unimaginable amount of dolphins. And at one stop we even saw a seal swimming around!

As I get ready to leave New Zealand, I can’t help regretting my decision to not do a whole semester abroad here. Between the people and diverse geography, this country has so much to offer. I feel like I’ve barely touched the tip of the iceberg. However, at the same time, going for three weeks to get a feeling for the place creates an even deeper, burning desire to come back for a much longer time.

If you want to visit and learn about the main highlights of the South Island, then the New Zealand program is the way to do it. I can’t even imagine trying to go from the southern tip to the northern tip of the South Island on my own. Now that I know what I love to see, my return trip will be more personalized to my interests.

Needless to say, I’m going to miss New Zealand and the people I met here more than I could’ve ever imagined. The fact that you can hike a glacier then drive a few short hours to swim with dolphins still leaves me in awe. This country is truly unlike any other, and for the sake of every traveler, I hope it stays that way.

Study in Australia has announced the winner of their Future Unlimited student video contest to be Steven Oishi for his video ‘My Future Unlimited.’ Steven won out of 56 student videos submitted and if you watch his video here, then you’ll see why.

With all his singing and exciting video footage, he’ll inspire you to start dreaming about studying in Australia, if you haven’t already!

In AUIP’s sustainable business course, we are learning about important concepts New Zealand businesses are incorporating into their everyday practices. One important approach New Zealand businesses are adopting is called the triple bottom line. Businesses who abide by the triple bottom line put value not only on financial gain, but also take their impact on the environment and the community into account.

During the first week of our program, we got the chance to learn how different businesses are incorporating environmentally friendly practices into the way they do business. On the “Wellywood” tour, students had the chance to learn how the film industry not only provides jobs for New Zealanders, local filmmakers like Peter Jackson of the Lord of the Rings trilogy took care to leave the environment as pristine as it was when the crew first arrived to shoot the films. We also visited the world’s second most productive wind farm in the world – located just outside Wellington. Here, 62 wind turbines generate a clean source of energy, and the landowner reaps financial benefits from allowing them to operate on the property. The fishing industries in New Zealand also aim for sustainability by using quotas that limit the amount the fish they can catch based on scientific research. Colin Williams of the Sealords Fishery says he works for a values-based company. “What we try to do as a company is to operate a step above the regulatory framework,” he said.

Through our readings and site visits, students learned that putting value on communities and on the environment involves a shift in the way everyone in the company does business. Employees can take pride knowing that they are doing their part. Customers and business associates will take notice and are likely to spread the word. Businesses will also have more success in the long run because they’re not depleting the earth’s resources or putting a drain on local communities.

Try a chocolate jelly baby. I’m sure you’re wondering what in the world this is. Well, Colin, our bus driver to Carnarvon Gorge, showed us the wonderful combination of Cadbury milk chocolate and Jelly Babies. First, let a piece of Cadbury milk chocolate melt in your mouth. Before the chocolate disappears, stick a jelly baby or two in your mouth. Let the two mix and the unusual combination will awaken your taste buds.

Slam a Tim Tam. Arnott’s Tim Tams are an Australian chocolate cookie that come in a variety of flavors such as original, double coat, white chocolate, chewy caramel, dark chocolate mint and many more. While the cookie itself is delicious, Tim Tams taste excellent in a slam. Want to try it before going to Australia? Learn how. All you need is hot chocolate and Tim Tams. I highly suggest the double coat flavor. Tim Tams are sold at Cost Plus World Market stores and select Target stores in the U.S.

Eat a pie, sweet or savory. Aussies love their pies with anything from beef and cheese to apple and cinnamon. Pie Face is one of the major chains with fresh baked pies always in their case. If you’re a student on an Australia program, be sure to grab yourself one.

Last Wednesday, we went to Milford Sound and took a boat cruise around the fresh, blue water. On the cruise, there was a man over the loud speaker who was giving very interesting facts about how it was created. I learned that Milford Sound was actually misnamed a sound and should’ve been called a fiord. The difference between the two is that a river carves out a sound and a glacier carves a fiord, which is actually the case for Milford. The first explorers were just unaware of that at the time and it has been Milford Sound ever since.

We got the chance to see lazy seals relaxing on warm, sunny rocks.  And on our way back to the port, if you were on the bow of the boat, you were able to feel the light mist of a waterfall, which was quite refreshing on the sunny day on the water.

After beautiful Milford Sound, we went to the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown. It’s a cute little town with lots of quaint shops, including a farmer’s market, and at night turns into sophisticated college town for those who like popular nightlife.

Our free day on the trip took place here, where we all took advantage. Between skydiving, parasailing, horseback riding and hang gliding, I chose to bungy jump and go canyoning. For those who don’t know, canyoning includes ziplining, propelling, cliff jumping and rock sliding. With the exception of cliff jumping, this was all new to me. The bungy jumping location I chose was the first invented in the world, so that eased my nerves a bit. I mean, if it’s the first, they had to know what they were doing.

Queenstown has been, by far, my favorite place. It’s filled with young backpackers and adrenaline junkies who love to strike up a conversation at any corner. Not to mention all the rugby fanatics who were there for a tournament. It was a great town with lots of action, and after our days on the road staying at holiday parks; it was nice to have the more fast-paced momentum of this popular city.

In my first few days in New Zealand, I learned the Kiwis like to do things a little bit differently.

Students in New Zealand use an adapter for their electrical devices

- They talk in a strange way that makes you smile.

- The shape of their electrical plug ins prevents you from using your so-called necessities – hair dryer, laptop and IPod charger – without an adapter.

- They use the metric system (along with the rest of the world outside the United States).

- They drive on the other side of the road.

- The Kiwi way of life seems less hurried and more carefree. Perhaps this is because they have a low crime rate.

- The police don’t carry guns.

- Kiwis also don’t have to worry about poisonous animals or even predators when they tramp (hike) through the beautiful mountainsides.

Along with these slight variances from the American way of life come a few more subtle differences – differences that that rest of the world could take a hint from.

- In three days in the city of Wellington I saw one truck. Cars are markedly compact and fuel efficient.

- Trash bins for ‘rubbish’ are commonly accompanied by recycle receptacles.

- Businesses hardly ever use disposable dishes. I haven’t seen any Styrofoam.

- Instead of sniffing for drugs, the dogs at New Zealand airports sniff for fruit to prevent invasive pests that could disrupt their stunning, yet fragile environment or damage their successful agriculture industry.

- Windmills dot the landscape.

- Organic is a common term.

- The Kiwis pride themselves on being ‘clean and green.’

It seems these simple, hardworking and friendly islanders have somehow managed to catch onto the concept that caring about the environment not only makes sense, it’s a practical thing to do. And although nobody’s perfect, I applaud New Zealand for setting an example for the rest of the world – including Americans like myself.

Being part of the Sustainable Business study abroad program has already opened my eyes to new ways of doing things.

Students in AUIP's Sustainability: Humans, Business and the Environment study abroad course gather together to enjoy the Wellington scenery

As the group travels to the South Island, I’m eager to discover more ways New Zealand businesses are incorporating environmentally friendly practices into their operations. I realize that in order to create real strides toward sustainability we need not only the general public to buy-in to environmentally friendly ways of doing things, we also need private industries to change their ways. The little island country of New Zealand can serve as a model for the so-called ‘world powers’ and we can all move forward to change the way we treat our planet.

Recently, one of AUIP’s favorite destinations Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort entered the Environmental Tourism Category and won! This category is for recognition of best practice eco tourism operators that demonstrate mutually beneficial relationships between tourism and our natural and environmental heritage.

They were then awarded the winners of the Best Tourism Business Award. This award is presented to the operator determined by the judges to be the overall best business from the winners of each category based on the submission and judges’ visit to site.

A huge congratulation to the team at Lady Elliot Island that always makes our South Queensland group’s stay a wonderful experience!