Short-term Experiences
Short-term, big impact. Take a step towards global citizenship with a short-term Global Experience.
Short-term experiences offer the perfect opportunity to explore diverse cultures, build meaningful connections, and gain a fresh perspective on the world, without the time commitment that comes with a trimester exchange or global internship.
What is a short-term experience?
A short-term experience is an international experience lasting anywhere from two weeks to two months. They’re long enough to have a meaningful impact on you and your career, yet short enough to fit around your academic commitments. Short-term experiences are ideal if you're new to international travel, want to test the waters before committing to a student exchange, or can't fit a longer global experience into your degree. Programmes include academic summer & winter schools, cultural immersion programmes, professional development experiences, and more.
Programmes run over Summer (C Trimester) or Winter (between A and B Trimesters) and vary each year. Visit the Global Experiences portal to see current opportunities.
Why choose a short-term experience?
Short-term experiences typically run between two and six weeks and offer a focused, accessible way to gain genuine global experience while working around your study schedule. They can take many forms: a study tour, a cultural immersion programme, a field trip, an international conference, or a collaborative project with students and professionals overseas.
The shorter time commitment makes them far more compatible with part-time work, family responsibilities, or a packed academic calendar, and costs are generally lower and easier to plan for. Even within a few weeks, you can build real cultural awareness, challenge your own assumptions, and form connections with students and professionals from around the world. You'll return with a perspective that sets you apart as a graduate, and for many students, a short-term experience is the starting point that builds the confidence to take on something longer.
Eligibility
Short-term experiences are open to all enrolled University of Waikato students, both undergraduate and postgraduate. They're well-suited to students with degree structures that make a student exchange difficult to fit, or students looking to complement their academic study with a hands-on cultural or professional experience.
Some programmes have specific eligibility requirements, so be sure to check individual experiences in the Global Experiences portal for details.
Costs and funding
Costs vary depending on the programme, destination, and duration. Some short-term experiences are fully funded or heavily subsidised, while others involve a programme fee. Unlike a student exchange, you are not charged Waikato tuition fees for short-term experiences. Any costs are typically programme fees paid directly to the provider or organising institution.
University of Waikato students are eligible for the Global Experiences Travel Award, which can be put toward a short-term experience. Visit the StudyLink, Scholarships, and Fundraising page to find out what funding may be available for specific programmes you're interested in.
Academic planning and credit
The best time to go on a short-term experience will depend on your degree, time remaining until graduation, and personal preferences. Short-term experiences sit outside the standard academic year and run over the summer (C Trimester) or winter (between A and B Trimesters).
Some short-term experiences are academic in nature and may be eligible for academic credit towards your University of Waikato degree. We encourage you to get in touch with your division directly if you are interested in receiving credit for an academic short-term experience, as credit is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If credit is approved, you may also be eligible for StudyLink support, including help with paper costs, student allowance, or living costs. Visit the StudyLink website to find out what you may be entitled to.
Explore opportunities
Visit the Global Experiences portal to see the current short-term experiences.
Tip: To find short-term experiences in the portal, filter by Program Type and select "Other".
More information
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely! Short-term experiences are one of the most accessible entry points into international travel for students who are new to it. Many students find that a short-term experience gives them the confidence and practical experience to take on a longer global experience, like a student exchange or global internship, further down the track.
Yes! You can start with a short-term experience in an earlier year to get a feel for international study, then plan a student exchange once you have a better sense of where you want to go and what kind of experience you're after. Attend a Waikato Global Experiences 101 Information Session to learn how both could fit into your degree timeline.