This spring, more than 20 Teaching Fellows and one education major departed for New Zealand in February to restart this unique program.
Elon University has renewed its partnership with the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, and Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania, for a semester-long experience for students in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education.
Elon first introduced the unique New Zealand study abroad experience and partnership in October 2017.
Officials from the University of Otago and Arcadia University joined President Connie Book on Feb. 23 for a signing ceremony at Elon to renew the agreement. Book was joined by Deputy Vice Chancellor Tony Ballantyne from the University of Otago and Andrew Law, executive director and academic dean in the College of Global Studies at Arcadia University.
The School of Education Center in Dunedin allows education students to enroll directly at the University of Otago. The semester-long study abroad program allows students to take courses in education, as well as various elective offerings.
Additionally, students have local school placements during the semester where they have the opportunity to engage in the local education system. Elon students who enroll will live in university flats with other students who provide valuable information about student life in Dunedin and life in New Zealand in general.
The program launched in spring 2018 with 10 Teaching Fellows participating. The following spring, a full cohort of 20 Teaching Fellows participated in the program along with the first Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education faculty member as a faculty in residence, Associate Professor of Education Terry Tomasek.
In the spring of 2020, a second cohort of 25 Teaching Fellows began the program before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the semester. Only five students from that cohort stayed the entire semester. The pandemic halted the program’s enrollment for spring 2021 and spring 2022.
This spring, 24 Teaching Fellows and one education major departed for New Zealand in February to restart this unique program.