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RPTA IN NEW ZEALAND

By Arianna Kamp (RPTA ’15)

Calling all RPTA students! Next fall, how would you like to personally assess the risks associated with an outdoor adventure company, experience outdoor and adventure leadership through various backpacking trips, or take part in and evaluate many other outdoor activities? Thanks to the hard work and careful planning of Professor Marni Goldenberg, students can take part in all these activities while also receiving credit for it. And did we mention it’s all happening in New Zealand?

Students will earn 12 required course units toward their RPTA degree by successfully completing RPTA 342, 325 and 360, (Risk Management for Recreation, Parks, and Tourism, Outdoor and Adventure Leadership, and Assessment and Evaluation of Recreation Parks, and Tourism, respectively), all of which will be offered under Goldenberg’s leadership in this new study abroad opportunity. The 10-week program will primarily include field-based Learn by Doing classes and outings throughout the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

Students participating in the program can look forward to hiking, backpacking, camping, speaking with professionals in the field, sightseeing, and engaging in a multitude of experiential learning opportunities. What is so special about this program is that students will be learning RPTA curriculum abroad and actually will be living it through daily experiences outside the classroom. In fact, the only indoor classroom time will be spent at Lincoln University, right next to Christchurch. That’s right, leave it to the RPTA Department to develop a program designed entirely around the Cal Poly Learn by Doing philosophy!

Goldenberg and the rest of the RPTA faculty believe that study abroad opportunities are important components of a college education, which is why the department intends to offer an international program every other year, with a different faculty member leading and tailoring the program to their area of expertise.

Goldenberg, who is guiding the fall quarter 2015 expedition, will be the first faculty member to lead a group of 12-15 students and teach the three core classes. Goldenberg is no stranger to New Zealand; in fact, she is one of the main forces behind the program. She first visited New Zealand as a high school exchange student and returned as a college student studying recreation. Goldenberg will revisit many of her old haunts and lead students through some of her favorite recreational experiences.

Goldenberg has developed an itinerary that incorporates course material with site visits, guest lectures and hands-on activities. The group will begin their journey in Auckland, on the North Island, and make its way to the South Island. During the journey, students will prepare for and go on a kayaking trip and three backpacking trips. The group will travel by bus, stay in hostels, and camp up to five nights in local and national parks. During the seventh week, students will stay in Queenstown with host families who have their own businesses in the recreation, parks and tourism field. During this time, students will have the opportunity to work alongside their host family and gain valuable experience.

In addition to home stays, students will also meet tour operators and other professionals working in various fields within the flourishing New Zealand recreation industry. Students will even extend the RPTA value of volunteerism to New Zealand through several service projects, including maintaining trails and working with the city of Christchurch to revitalize a local playground. Students will be happy to know that three days are set aside for them to explore New Zealand on their own time, checking off those “bucket list” items.

Students can expect familiar reading homework, presentations, assignments and final exams; however, all school-related work will be done in an entirely new setting that most students are unfamiliar with -- unless they have attended class on a glacier before. This program is ultimately designed for those who like to explore, are flexible, and can adapt to frequent moving, camping, hostels stay, and sharing cooking and cleaning duties.

The invitation for the RPTA New Zealand study abroad program is extended to anyone within the RPTA major. The program is primarily designed for sophomores and juniors but is also open to seniors. All applicants must have completed the prerequisites RPTA 210, Introduction to Program Design and 257, Leadership and Diverse Groups. Goldenberg advises interested students to start planning their schedules accordingly now. By April, RPTA staff is hoping to have everyone signed up for the trip so the team can collectively start panning during spring quarter. Goldenberg tells students to not be intimidated by the price and added expenses of this trip. Financial aid will help pay for a portion the program, and the group will have various ways to raise additional money.  

Students interested in taking part in the RPTA New Zealand study abroad program should contact Professor Goldenberg or go through Cal Poly’s international program application process.  

Special thanks to RPTA professor and new mother Marni Goldenberg for contributing to this article.

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