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Global Connections, High School Educational Tours to New Zealand

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Institute of Global Engagement New Zealand
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Video and Photos

Youth Leadership Summit 2019
Youth Summit 2019
closing ceremony summit 2019
Summit 2019 St Andrews College

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About

IGENZ is based in New Zealand and is a specialist provider delivering and hosting 10 - 12 day study tours for high school age and university student groups. The Global Connections series offers study tours to New Zealand where future global citizens will explore the history, culture, environment and political system while sharing observations, reflections and solutions to some of the global issues in a changed world. You may join a set start date study tour expected to commence again in the northern hemisphere spring and summer of 2022.

Highlights
  • authentic cross-cultural experiences
  • global issues of the future
  • cross-cultural leadership
  • understanding leadership and team building
  • adventure, tourism and sightseeing

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Questions & Answers

Reviews

10 Rating
based on 7 reviews
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  • 9-10 rating 100%
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  • Academics 9
  • Support 10
  • Fun 10
  • Housing 9
  • Safety 10
  • Growth 10
  • Support 9.8
  • Fun 9.5
  • Housing 9.8
  • Safety 10
Good for Students, Under 18
Showing 1 - 7 of 7
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Irene
19
New Zealand
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

2019 China New Zealand Youth Leadership Summit

Jun 29, 2020

Attending the summit was one of the best experiences I've had, and it went by way too fast. The people I met, the skills I learnt, and all the fun memories will be kept with me for a long time to come. It wasn't uptight and overly formal, but actually really fun and enjoyable. The speakers were all very different but that provided a vast range of topics that they could speak on and that we could learn from. Overall, it was a really rewarding experience and I'd definitely go again if I had the chance :)

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Andrea
19
New Zealand
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

An Amazing Experience!

Jun 29, 2020

I had such an incredible time at the summit last year, and I will never forget the amazing memories I made and the people I met. This summit has not only helped me realise the importance of the relationship with New Zealand and China is, but also my history here, as a Kiwi-born Chinese and about myself as a person. The guest speakers each had their own points in which I learned a lot from, and I will always cherish this unforgettable experience. I highly recommend the summit to anyone who is looking for opportunities to learn about other cultures and the rest of the world and to meet new people who will always be with you.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nerve-wracking moment was meeting all the other delegates from New Zealand and China. However, they were all extremely nice and I'm so glad that I got to share this amazing experience with them all.
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Hayley
19
New Zealand
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible experience!!

Jun 29, 2020

The Leadership Summit was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had. The overall growth I made as a person, the relationships I formed with people in New Zealand and in China and the lessons that I learnt will be with me forever. The knowledge being taught I believe is extremely important and the Summit definitely needs to continue to assist people with building their knowledge on the relationship between China and New Zealand. From this Summit, I am now much more aware on a personal, interpersonal and societal level about the impact of different cultures, religions, attitudes and industries on people around the globe, and the various differences between many cultures. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who is wanting to learn more about the world, learn more about how they can help on a larger scale and who wants to make lifelong, incredible friendships.

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Lukas
19
New Zealand
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

best experiences.

Jun 28, 2020

Attending the China 2018 summit and the New Zealand 2019 summit were two of the best things I have experienced. The relationship between China and New Zealand is extremely, extremely important that the Summit is one of the best places to learn that importance. New Zealand has so much to offer China, and China can offer so much more to New Zealand. Understanding the culture is important. The summits are planned so well with the most incredible guest speakers who know what they are talking about. And have a large passion for young people, and the relationships between the two countries.

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The 2018 summit at the recently opened New Zealand embassy in Beijing
The 2018 summit group in Qingdao. May 4th temple
The 2019 summit group photo - held at St. Andrews college.
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Fabricio
30
Male
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Brasilia without Borders program

Aug 28, 2016

Participated in a custom tailored program for higher education Brazilian students. The whole experience was amazing, with everyday including inspiring talks from successful leaders and experts from various fields, as well as dynamic activities with local students. I left with an accurate picture of how leadership made New Zealand the well-faring country it is.

The organizers made a great work with a tidy plan for each day, at the same time caring if the group suggested some changes and quickly reacting if something went unexpected, like bad weather for an outside day. Besides the talks, big highlights were the Maori Marae experience, sailing day and Waikato's adventure camp.

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Ana
Female
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

A mind-blowing adventure

Jul 20, 2015

New Zealand is still pretty exotic for Brazilians and spending a month in the country wasn´t enough to change that impression. A real melting pot of cultures, New Zealand was the perfect country to take a course on global leadership, since they are avant-garde in many of the global trends, like sustainability, economic development and culture preservation. Jan´s organisation skills never failed to impress me, as we didn´t have a single mishap during the whole trip. The course approached all kinds of topics and gave a comprehensive overview of a global leader´s main skills.

What would you improve about this program?
The Business English classes could have been a little bit more challenging =)
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Jaime
Male
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Overall Rating 10/ 10 View detailed rating Participated in a customized program for Global Leadership

Jul 20, 2015

The whole experience was amazing. From great lectures to incredible cultural experiences!
Between my favorites are the Maori camp and the trip to Wellington where we spoke with a congressman and visited a great museum.

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Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Jan Fitz-Gerald

Program
Global Connections, High School Educational Tours to New Zealand
Job Title
Founder and Chief Executive
Jan Fitz-Gerald is the Founder and Chief Executive of the Institute. Jan started hosting study tours when at Queenstown Resort College and really enjoyed the experience – the first group was from Elon University, North Carolina. After a short break she has returned to the world of designing and hosting study groups from many countries including government officials, university professors and leaders.
Jan spent many years as a senior executive at AUT University including Director of the International Student Program and then went on to establish Queenstown Resort College, an exclusive tourism and hospitality management college – she then returned to Auckland and established the Institute to continue with her passion in working with international study groups.
A group of students gathered

What is your favorite travel memory?

My most amazing traveling experience was when I Russia and particularly Siberia – just before winter set in. I loved the food and the people; it was such a culturally enriching experience, with a deep sense of history.

I have travelled to many places throughout the world but guess what ... the majestic mountains, lakes and scenery in the South Island of New Zealand still takes my breath away and it’s the place of my birth.

What position do you hold at Institute of Global Engagement? What has been your career path so far?

I am Chief Executive (President) but I am very hands on as I design most of the study tour programs – that’s what I love doing.

My career path is way too long to describe other than to say I am having the most fabulous and rewarding career and I now bring the wisdom and experience to the table as we mentor and encourage new young staff to make it happen.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Here are a couple from last year. They are all very special to us.

“You made me think about how I make a real difference in my own country, and how can I do things there with a global mind set. Thank you for making this one of the best times of my life. Thank you”

“Incredible experience. I do hope more Brazilians, especially from Brasilia can come and have all this extraordinary cultural experience.”

“Coming here was one of the best things that has happened to me. It is definitely a turning point in my life. I will go back to Brazil with an open heart full of Mana (Mana=respect)."

What does the future hold for Institute of Global Engagement - any exciting new programs to share?

Our 2016 of study tours has just been launched so we hope everyone likes them. We like all of them and think they are very exciting, challenging and transformational – imagine being on a study tour at the bottom of the world.

What unique qualities does your company possess?

We reflect the three key core values of being a New Zealander (Kiwi). These shape who we are as people and reflect the way we act. These are:

1. KAITIAKI: Care of people and place

The land and sea have shaped us. We're proud of our role as guardians of this place and its people - not just for now, but for future generations. We welcome everyone as friends.

2. INTEGRITY: Trust, honesty, humility and reciprocal respect

We pride ourselves on our integrity and for being safe, stable, open, and accessible. We have a reputation as 'down to earth' and 'good to work with'.

3. RESOURCEFULNESS: Our fresh, outward-looking way of thinking

Our determination and our independence of thought allows us to be creative, innovative and often ingenious.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Leadership and culture.

The culture of a company flows from the leadership and when those elements are in harmony and we have great inspirational leaders leading the team – the success just flows and is celebrated.

What changes would you make to the study abroad industry?

None, its fabulous particularly for those who want the short quality education and experiential program when they are unable to stay away for a semester.

I just wish I had the same opportunities when I was a student.

What does your home-country's culture​ value that is taught in your program?

This is about our commitment to our indigenous people – the Māori. All study tours reflect our commitment and respect of our first people and this experience has usually been the highlight of each tour.

The official welcome is the traditional Powhiri held at the AUT University Marae (Maori meeting house) and some programs include an immersion weekend of Maori custom and culture.

All programs commence with a presentation about New Zealand history, custom, people, and culture.

Location

Location:
New Zealand
Currency:
New Zealand Dollar
Weather:
Jan-Mar
75 F / 46 F
Apr-Jun
68 F / 30 F
Jul-Sep
61 F / 28 F
Oct-Dec
72 F / 41 F
Airports:
Auckland International
( AKL )
Christchurch International
( CHC )
Wellington International
( WLG )

New Zealand has a culture centered around all things outdoor. They have perfected the outdoor lifestyle by embracing the unbeatable scenery, abundance of outdoor adventures, & wildlife -- best seen through a rented camper van. This country is a mecca for thrill seekers and adventurers alike.

About Institute of Global Engagement New Zealand

We are a New Zealand educational study group tour institution delivering unforgettable short term study group tours and programs for university, college and high school students. These are in New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Rarotonga. Faculty led and customised study group programs are our speciality from 1 - 4 weeks (can be longer). Our head...

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