Founded in beautiful New Zealand in 1873, the University of Canterbury is now a modern autonomous university with an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research. The university is located on a modern, suburban campus that offers extensive sporting and recreational activities to complement its scholastic reputation. With an enrollment of 10,000 students, the university is host to more than 100 clubs and societies on campus, covering interests in the sporting, cultural, social, religious, and intellectual fields.

Only 10 minutes away is Christchurch, a city of 300,000 people that is often called the Garden City of New Zealand because of its many parks, natural reserves, trees, and flowers. The city also has a reputation for being the most English city outside England, largely because of its traditional architecture and expansive parks. The Cathedral in the central square is its focal point. The city has other distinctive features, including the Avon river which winds along tree-lined banks, parks and gardens. The city offers a myriad of outdoor activities ranging from trout fishing, skiing, and backpacking to the cultural gatherings at plays, concerts, and other activities which frequent a cosmopolitan area. It is also minutes away from the beautiful beaches for which New Zealand is famous.

The program is open to Purdue students who have completed at least two semesters of university study by the start of the program. Successful candidates will demonstrate academic success, maturity and a desire to experience another culture.

Due to the popularity of this exchange program and somewhat limited availability of exchange spots, non-resident students should apply instead to the IES-Christchurch program, which is academically the same but financially the better option.

Due to the popularity of this exchange program and limited availability of exchange spots, in-state students may only participate on this exchange for one semester. 

GPA Requirement: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Language Requirement: none

Click below to search for Purdue students who have participated in this program and are willing to be contacted.  If you get no results, you can use the search form to find people who studied in the country you are interested in.