SUNY Geneseo: Canterbury - University of Canterbury

This is a limited enrollment exchange program; students study at the University of Canterbury for either the Spring (Feb - July) or Fall (July - November) semester.

New Zealand is an English speaking country in the South Pacific.  It is a land of stunning natural beauty and surprising diversity.  The economy is diverse but has an agricultural base, focused on dairy farming, sheep products, and horticulture.  The total population numbers roughly 4 million and nowhere is more than 70 miles from the ocean.  Both in vegetation and animal life New Zealand is different and delightful; from the nocturnal national bird, the kiwi, to flora that elsewhere disappeared from the earth with the dinosaurs.  In the far north, New Zealand is sub-tropical.  In the far south it has penguins. 

Christchurch is the third largest city in New Zealand with a population of 300,000.  It is located on the South Island and is known as "the Garden City".  It stands by the sea on the edge of the Canterbury plains.  Close by is Lyttleton Harbour where there is excellent boating and windsurfing, as well as in the Avon River Estuary.  The climate is temperate with average daytime summer temperatures around 23C (73F) and winter averages of around 10C (50F).  "Down Under", the season are reversed so summer months run from November through March and tend to be warm and dry.  While the pace of life is slow and easy-going, there is plenty to do, including a thriving nightlife.

The spacious campus is home to recreation and sports facilities that include squash, volleyball, basketball, tennis, rugby, soccer, cricket, and athletics.  The University Ski Club has its own facilities in the Arthur's Pass National Park, about two hours from Christchurch, while the drive to Mount Hutt Ski Field is one-and-a-half hours.  The academic year at Canterbury runs from mid-February to mid-November and is split into four terms with a mid-year examination period usually at the end of the second term.