AFS New Zealand
Year Program: Winter Departure
From Mid-January 1997 to Early January 1998
"Like most New Zealanders, my host family is loud and full of fun, so there is never a dull moment in my home. My host 'mum' prepares for dinner or 'tea' from a collection of Weight Watchers cookbooks, while my host dad mumbles 'this isn't Kiwi food.' He then proceeds to make his own meal, usually consisting of steak and potatoes in one form or another." --Kristen Schleicher, US-New Zealand
Haere Mai!
Welcome to New Zealand!
At long last, the time is here! After so much preparation, anticipation, and eagerness, you and your fellow AFSers are finally ready to begin what will surely be a year to remember. Your flight from Los Angeles will arrive in Auckland, one of New Zealand's largest ports. After the plane lands you will collect your luggage, pass through customs, and be met by volunteers.
Arrival Orientation
The volunteers will take you to a nearby camp for your arrival orientation which will last about one day. After having had a long and tiring international flight, you will have a chance to relax, meet other AFSers from around the world, and learn about AFS in New Zealand and New Zealand culture. The orientation will be run by volunteers.
After orientation comes the long-awaited moment when you will meet your host family. In all probability, your family will come to the orientation site to pick you up. However, in some cases, you may have to take a plane or bus to your host family because they may not live within driving distance of the orientation site. You will not be chaperoned, but volunteers will see you off and give you clear information on your destination. You may also be traveling with other AFSers who will be living in the same region as you. When you arrive in your host community, your host family and/or a local volunteer will be at the station or airport eagerly waiting to meet you.
AFS Support in New Zealand
AFS in New Zealand has been in existence for 49 years. Almost 6000 volunteers in 43 chapters work hard year-round to provide you with the most rewarding intercultural experience possible.
During your stay, you will have both a local and a regional AFS support contact. These volunteers will be available to assist you as you learn to live as a New Zealander. Their names and phone numbers will be given to you when you get to your host family or at the first local chapter meeting which is held monthly. This volunteer will be in touch, however, feel free to contact him/her. It is important to have a relationship established from the beginning of your stay.
Please know that during your time in New Zealand, you can call your support contact or any other volunteer for advice or assistance. In the event of an emergency, AFS staff can be reached 24 hours a day by you in your host country and your family in the US.
School
School is probably the best place foryou to meet people and make friends during your stay. As in the US, schools in New Zealand are public or private. Most AFS students are placed in public schools in form six or seven (comparable to junior or senior year) with classmates aged 16 to 18.
You may find that school in New Zealand seems slightly more formal than in the US. You'll have a wide range of subjects to study, however, there can be no guarantee that specific subjects can be taken.
School runs from February to early December and the school day lasts from 8:30am - 3:30pm, Monday-Friday. You'll be on school break for two weeks during April, two weeks in July, two or three weeks in September, and six or seven weeks in December/January. As in the US, classes move from room to room.
Some schools in New Zealand require students to wear uniforms. In case your host family papers indicate that you attend one of these schools, you will need to bring black/brown sturdy shoes with laces and US $100 to cover the cost of a school uniform.
You can obtain a transcript and/or certificate of attendance if you attend classes regularly, complete your coursework, and pass the exams. Your school's policy will determine which document you can receive. Since issuing these documents takes some time, it is your responsibility and to your advantage to let the school know about your request well before you return to the US. If you need assistance, a local volunteer can help you with the process.
A school's decision to participate in AFS depends largely on its experience with each respective AFS student. It is important therefore to have a positive attitude, to be flexible and to make sure to leave the lines of communication open between yourself and your local volunteers and/or school advisors.
AFS Activities
In addition to the arrival orientation in Auckland, you can look forward to a post-arrival orientation, held locally on a weekend about four to six weeks after you arrive, and an end-of-stay camp. AFS pays the cost of all orientations except for the end-of-stay orientation (cost of approximately US$100.) These orientations let you catch up with friendships, share your experiences, ask questions, and prepare for your trip back home.
AFS New Zealand runs 2 bus tours in September, one in the North and one in the South Island. Each optional trip costs approximately US$600 and students may choose one.
AFS volunteers organize several fun activites for you during your stay. These can include informal get-togethers, weekend trips, picnics, and camping trips. What is organized varies from region to region and chapter to chapter.
Other Activities
Getting involved in extracurricular activities or clubs is a great way to meet people your age who share the same interests that you do. As in the US, New Zealand schools offer a variety of choices-- music, drama, sports (rugby and cricket are favorites), and cultural clubs. As in the US, different schools can offer different activities, but because New Zealanders have so many interests, including a passionate love of the outdoors, you are sure to find something you like.
Documents
Please make sure your passport is valid for at least six months longer than your intended stay abroad.
A visa is required for US citizens for this program. Visa requirements include an additional medical examination and insurance fee. Please do not apply for a visa before you receive your travel document instruction (which will be sent at a later date if not with this mailing).
If you are not a US citizen please contact the AFS Visa Department (800-876-2376 ext 351) as soon as possible.
Health Precautions
Updated childhood immunizations are required. An injection of immune globulin against hepatitis A is recommended.
Food
The New Zealand diet has been traditionally British, with hearty breakfasts and meals of meat and potatoes. Beef, pork, mutton, seafood, fresh vegetables, fruits, cheese, ice cream, meat pies, and sausage rolls are popular. Vegetarian is growing in popularity although not yet common. Most families eat large meals rather than snacks.
Climate
The country is situated in the Southern temperate zone, which means the climate is neither excessively hot nor cold. New Zealand seasons are reversed from those in the US. Therefore when you arrive in January it will be summer.
Clothing
Warm clothing is suitable most of the year. In general, you should bring a winter coat or jacket, raincoat or waterproof parka (essential), one good outfit (dress shirts for men, dresses/skirts for women), and an assortment of casual clothing-- jeans, tops skirts, blouses, pants, shorts-- several warm sweaters or cardigans, bathrobe, sneakers, and sandals.
Gifts
Bringing gifts to your host family is a thoughtful, but not required, gesture. Gifts do not have to be large or expensive. A good idea is to bring gifts that represent the area of the US in which you live. For example, photos or posters from your own home town, T-shirts or baseball hats with lettering or designs (incluing AFS ones). After looking through your host family papers you will have more ideas about gifts for them.
Electricity
Domestic electrical supply in New Zealand is 230 volts, 50 Hz AC and uses 3 pin sockets.
If you plan on bringing your electronical appliances (e.g. hairdryers, curling irons, etc.) from home please bring electrical converters or additional money (approximately $15 US) to purchase them.
Luggage
Please keep your luggage to a 44 lb. weight limit. This standard is used by many international airlines and is recommended by AFS so that you will not encounter any problems at the check-in for your international departure.
You are responsible for managing and carrying your own luggage, therefore we strongly suggest you bring one large suitcase and one carry-on bag. The carry-on is not included in the 44 lb. weight limit. AFS assumes no responsibility for charges on overweight luggage. Should you decide to exceed the recommendation and the airline demands payment when you check in, you will either have to pay the additional charges or leave your excess belongings behind.
New Zealand mail service is extremely reliable and should not be a concern. Packages sent to you should be marked "For Personal Use Only."
Spending Money
Like the US, the monetary unit is the New Zealand dollar, with cent denominations. Host families are asked to only pay for ordinary family events which hosted students are expected to join. Such things as visiting friends on one's own, mailing letters, and entertainment are the student's responsibility.
You should bring US$800 in traveler's checks for the year. This amount, when budgeted carefully, is more than enough to last the year. Your host family or a local volunteer can help you open a bank account in your host community.
Extra funds to meet emergency needs can be sent to you via bank transfer, international bank draft in New Zealand dollars, or a telex transfer.
Travel
AFS travel policies specific to New Zealand will be discussed at your arrival orientation.
While it is natural to want to travel while living abroad, as you know AFS does not allow you travel around New Zealand by yourself. There may, however, be opportunities to take trips with your school or other organizations with which you may become involved. Before doing any traveling outside your host community, you must check with the volunteers or national staff. AFS participants will be sent home because of unauthorized travel.
AFS strongly discourages travel or visits with your natural family, friends or relatives. Such visits can be disruptive to the process of successful assimilation into New Zealand culture and may make your host family uncomfortable in some situations (e.g. holidays, birthdays) where activities may be planned.
Looking Forward
Very soon, you'll be living in a culture and community that will be very different from your own. It will certainly be a memorable time in your life! To help prepare yourself for this experience, please start to familiarize yourself with New Zealand culture: visit your local library, speak with a former AFSer to New Zealand and visit the AFS-USA website (http://www.afs.org/usa) to read about past participants' experiences in New Zealand and to connect to related sites for more information. Please review the culture materials provided by AFS.
Likewise, New Zealanders will be curious about your home community. You may be suprised to find out how much they already know about US history and politics. Therefore, it is also helpful to be as informed as possible about current events in your community and the US.
We wish you a wonderful experience in New Zealand!