I Belong In The Woods: Spring Semester In New Zealand
NOLS grad Natalie Beittel reflects on why she chose to study abroad with NOLS on a semester in New Zealand and what she learned from her experience.
Dive into a study abroad experience like no other. Travel to one of our campuses around the world, then head into the wilderness. Each NOLS study abroad program offers countless benefits for personal growth, including opportunities to practice foreign language skills, develop cultural understanding, and expand on your academic goals.
During your time abroad, you’ll embrace experiential learning while earning academic credit as you get to know a new environment and different culture firsthand. At the start, you’ll work on building key outdoor and leadership skills under the guidance of experienced instructors. Stepping out of your comfort zone, you’ll engage with the local communities of your host country through daily interactions and structured homestays. You’ll return to your home university with evolved personal goals, a new perspective, new friends, and the confidence to lead in class, outdoors, and beyond.
While studying abroad with NOLS, you’ll find unique opportunities to engage with local communities as you explore beautiful and remote wilderness areas. Far from the tourist centers, you’ll immerse yourself in local culture, embarking on a journey of international education. That might include helping your host family herd livestock in Patagonia, chatting with local fishermen in Baja, or practicing your conversational Hindi over a cup of chai in the Himalayas.
During a NOLS study abroad program, service is an opportunity to engage with a local community and contribute to a meaningful project. You might volunteer to help renovate a school building, restore backcountry trails, or teach English at a local school. All projects are a way of giving back to the communities you’ve had the privilege of visiting.
NOLS offers nearly $1.9 million in needs-based scholarships each year. Our scholarships take into account unusual expenses, and special or changing circumstances. Scholarships can range from a small portion to larger amounts of the course cost.
You can also use 529 savings plans, consortium agreements for federal financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and AmeriCorps awards to help fund your study abroad tuition.
Financial Aid OptionsEarn up to 27 credit hours in a variety of fields, including Cultural Studies, Leadership Techniques, Environmental Studies, and Risk Management. Over 400 colleges and universities across the country recognize credits earned through NOLS study abroad courses, and numerous other institutions award their own credits based on your study abroad experience with us.
Academic Credit OptionsA NOLS diploma represents your cumulative course accomplishments to universities, employers, and others. Some expeditions offer additional industry-recognized certifications and certificates of completion:
Certifications
NOLS Certificates of Completion
NOLS grad Natalie Beittel reflects on why she chose to study abroad with NOLS on a semester in New Zealand and what she learned from her experience.
Chilean NOLS grad Ignacio Martínez shares stories and advice from his Semester in Patagonia.