Long-Term Projects in New Zealand (6months/1year)

  New Zealand

Christchurch,  Tauranga,  Wellington

Durations of Program: 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 7-12 months
Dates: Start Date: August

Description: Adventure hiking camps, special needs children, local farms, and community services agencies all need your help. Come to New Zealand for a meaningful experience you will never forget. Experience the glacial mountains, crystal rivers & waterfalls, picturesque lakes, brilliant geysers and bubbling mud. See endemic animals such as Kiwi birds on the endless beaches. Swimming with dolphins, hiking, bungie jumping, white water rafting, surfing, and kayaking are just the beginning of this adventure sporters' paradise. New Zealand also houses the fast paced city life of Auckland, Queenstown and Rotorua. What is better than to be needed in such an exuberant environment?

Highlights: As a long-term volunteer, you will have the exciting opportunity to gain an even deeper understanding and appreciation of a foreign land and culture through humanitarian service, language and intercultural training, cultural learning activities, and exploration.

United Planet is the proud US and Canadian partner within the International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) Federation, the oldest long-term volunteering federation in the world. With over 50 years of experience, the ICYE Federation has a proven track record and upholds the highest standards for excellence in serving both the volunteers and the communities involved.

Long-term Quests are available for 6 months and 1 year. Volunteers take part in intensive orientations, mid-year, and final year camps with other volunteer exchanges from all over the world. You do not need any specific skills or language abilities to take part. You will attain new skills, competencies, and broadened global perspectives through your involvement in the long-term quest program!

There are many interesting destinations both in developed and developing countries. You can support children and the disabled in communities throughout France and Italy. You can assist in agricultural, environmental, and community projects in New Zealand, Nepal, and India. You can help with AIDS/HIV programs in Uganda, Russia, Nigeria, and more.   You can assist in human rights issues in Brazil, Bolivia, Mozambique, and Lithuania. These are just a few of the many opportunities we offer!

United Planet and the ICYE Federation, as non-profit organizations, are committed to the accessibility of these programs for all. For less than the cost of living independently in many of our program countries, you can participate in a fully supported and well-structured international voluntary exchange program with years of experience. We hope that you will recognize and take advantage of this special opportunity.

Cost in US$: 6 months $4695, 1year $7195

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: United Planet requests five things of you: Flexibility, Courage, Open-mindedness, Tolerance and Compassion. Volunteer and educational travel around the world is often filled with unpredictable surprises, such as transportation delays, local holidays, etc. Cultures vary greatly. Some things may appear shocking and you might feel outside of your comfort zone in some situations. You might also experience disturbing poverty or suffering in certain areas. People, including the local population and fellow Quest participants, might have vastly different religious, ideological, racial, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds. In short, you will be challenged and stimulated in ways that you may not be able to currently imagine. If you remember the UP code and maintain flexibility, courage, open-mindedness, tolerance, and compassion, you will build greater bonds with the people around you, attain a rich cultural understanding, and truly experience the ultimate educational adventure of a United Planet Quest, while having lots of fun along the way.

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to New Zealand Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

United Planet's Mission Statement: As an international non-profit organization, United Planet (UP) strives to create a world in which all people understand, respect, and support one another. United Planet's global network of leaders and volunteers fosters cross-cultural understanding and addresses shared challenges to unite the world in a community beyond borders. In 2008, United Planet was one of only ten organizations selected by CNN to be part of its "Be the Change" initiative.

Year Founded: 2001