Maymester Australia and New Zealand, $3795 (6 credits)
May 8 – June 2, 2027
Apply Here or send a question Here
Program Overview
Visit two worlds in one program! This program focuses on sustainable development with electives in natural history, animal behavior, or business sustainability in both Australia and New Zealand. The Australia portion of the program includes Sydney, considered one of the world’s best places to live and play, the Great Barrier Reef (where we stay at the eco-resort of Lady Elliot Island), the vast expanse of the Outback (to explore the wildlife and indigenous art of Carnarvon Gorge), and the surfing beach town of Noosa (Sunshine Coast). Click here to watch a three minute video of the program.
The second half of the program is spent on the South Island of New Zealand, where the kiwi image of 100% Pure, Clean, and Green is arguably most evident. Known as the adventure capital of the Southern Hemisphere, there are mountains rising 14,000 feet out of the sea, the largest fiords in the world, rainforests, massive glaciers carving their way to the ocean, thermal hotsprings, and volcanoes. New Zealand’s isolation has spurred the development of a unique natural heritage: Plants and animals have evolved here that are unknown anywhere else. We travel the breadth of the South Island from the deep south in Fiordlands National Park to the northern coastal town of Kaikoura.
The following sites and activities are included in the program: Snorkel (or dive) the Great Barrier Reef, hike Carnarvon Gorge and get up close with some of Australia’s unique wildlife, visit the surfing resort town of Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, and several days in Sydney. In New Zealand you will have the opportunity to hike Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, visit a traditional sheep farm in the high country, cruise Fiordland National Park, stay in the remote and beautiful Doubtful Sound, visit the capital of extreme/adventure sports in Queenstown, and swim with wild dolphins in Kaikoura. There is a strong cultural emphasis throughout both program, exploring the historical and contemporary lives of the indigenous peoples of Australia (the Aborigine) and New Zealand (Maori).
The program is open to all students from UGA and from other institutions (non-UGA students pay in-state tuition), and no prior knowledge is assumed. An optional add-on 8-day program in Fiji (Ecotourism and Sustainability) (3 credits) is available. Fiji is a relatively easy and low-cost stop-over en route back to the U.S. from Australia or New Zealand and the Fiji program begins as soon as the May program ends.
Program Itinerary
Click on the link below to learn more about the program itinerary
Maymester Australia and New Zealand
Credits
Discover Abroad runs four separate Maymester cohorts to Australia and New Zealand, each with a different course emphasis. There are no prerequisites unless specified. See below for cohort descriptions and Click here for a summary of each cohort itinerary.
Yellow Cohort: Biology of the South Pacific: Koalas, Kiwis, and Corals (6 credits)
People, Planet and Profit FANR (ANTH/ECOL/GEOG/INTL 4271/6271) 3 credits
Biology of the South Pacific FANR (BIOL) 3460 or 3460(H)) 3 credits. BIOL 1108 (or permission of instructor) is a prerequisite for FANR/BIOL 3460; please email us for details. For biology majors, this course can fulfill the organismal course requirement or count as a major elective.
Green Cohort: Animal Behavior (6 credits)
People, Planet and Profit FANR (ANTH/ECOL/GEOG/INTL 4271/6271) 3 credits
Animal Behavior: WILD (BIOL) 4740/6740. 3 credits
Purple Cohort: Sustainable Development (6 credits) (unavailable for 2026)
People, Planet and Profit FANR(ANTH/ECOL/GEOG/INTL 4271/6271) 6 credits
Blue and Orange Cohorts: International Business (6 credits each)
People, Planet and Profit FANR(ANTH/ECOL/GEOG/INTL 4271/6271) 3 credits
Current Issues in International Business: INTB 3100 3 credits
Information for all cohorts
* 4271/6271 is cross-listed with ANTH (Anthropology), ECOL (Ecology), FANR (Forestry and Natural Resources), GEOG (Geography), and INTL (International Affairs). (Note: INTL 4271H replaces INTL6271.) Please contact your advisor to see which of our cross-listed courses will best fit into your schedule. The 4000 level courses are for undergraduate students and 6000 level courses are for graduates and honors students.
Costs
Program costs includes all accommodations, field excursions, cultural events, supplemental health insurance, in-country ground transportation, and approximately 70-80% of meals. Tuition (HOPE/Zell applies and out-of-state and non-UGA students pay in-state rates) and airfare (see optional group rate below) are additional. The major international carriers permit a lay-over in Fiji on the return flight to the U.S. typically for minimal extra cost for those students that want to add on the 8-day (3-credit) Fiji program. We also strongly recommend purchasing trip cancellation insurance for airline tickets.
Out-of-state students will receive an out-of-state tuition waiver (i.e. tuition for participation will be charged at the in-state level) for study abroad courses.
Download the Estimated Costs for a more detailed breakdown. The cost estimate for adding Fiji to the May program can be downloaded here.
Optional group airfares are yet to be determined. The Discover Abroad office will let you know when this information is available. It is inadvisable to purchase airfare until the group arrangements are made.
Photo Gallery
Testimonials
“It would be a shame if you ever thought twice about doing this program.” (Green cohort, 2026)
“Go all in! Commit to the classes, the experiences, the relationships, all of it! I miss it every day and would do anything to go back. The school time is intensive but not difficult if you give it a good effort.” (Green cohort, 2026)
“This was one of the most valuable experiences I’ve had throughout my entire college career. Go into it with an open mind and be ready to learn, explore, step outside of your comfort zone, and make so many new friends.” (Green cohort, 2026)
“This program has been one of the greatest things I have ever done, and I am certain I will remember it forever.” (Orange cohort, 2026)
“This is the most remarkable trip I’ve ever taken. Do it, be all in, and be in awe of the creation around you.” (Orange cohort, 2026)
“This has been the best experience of my life; I feel like a different person from who I was a month ago before this. Digital detoxes help a lot!” (Blue cohort, 2026)
“ABSOUTELY DO IT! I have made my best friends while also learning so much about the world around me.” (Blue cohort, 2026)
“If you’re on the fence because of fear of the unknown or leaving your comfort zone, just do it! This trip truly changes lives, and I will probably never stop talking about it!” (Blue cohort, 2026)
“Do it! This program was the best experience of my life. I got to see some of the most beautiful places in the world while learning about the world and myself. I will forever cherish the relationships I built on this trip, and I hope I never forget the amazing memories we made together!” (Yellow cohort, 2026)
“This program is truly the trip of a lifetime. I left with lifelong friends, impactful mindset changes, and countless memories that will stay with me forever!” (Yellow cohort, 2026)