In this program, you will enroll directly in classes at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. This program is open to undergraduate and graduate students from any discipline.
Founded in 1869, the University of Otago is New Zealand's oldest university and has earned an international reputation for the quality of its research and teaching. The University of Otago offers a diverse faculty and a wide variety of courses that allow you to explore topics and cultures not commonly taught at the University of Oregon, particularly Maori studies. Renowned for its health sciences, the University of Otago prides itself on its research facilities and well-regarded psychology department.
Dunedin is a coastal city situated in the southern part of the South Island of New Zealand. The South Island is well-known for outdoor activities and beautiful natural scenery, both in the summer and winter months. Centrally located in Dunedin, the Otago campus is a short walk from the city's central shopping and services. Otago students rate its campus lifestyle as one of its strongest attractions. Dunedin also offers excellent cultural facilities including museums, art galleries, libraries, and craft centers.
This type of program differs from other study abroad options and does not necessarily include significant on-site student support services, such as academic advising, health & counselling services, planned excursions or social events. Students most comfortable and successful in these types of programs typically have high levels of self-reliance, resourcefulness, and willingness to adapt to unfamiliar teaching styles and living arrangements.
UO-Otago Indigenous Studies Program
The UO-Otago Indigenous Studies Exchange (ISE) program provides unique opportunities for select students from each campus to immerse themselves in Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) academic and cultural activities in an international context. The Office of International Affairs will offer full scholarships* to two UO students to participate in the Fall semester (July – November) at the University of Otago. Note: this scholarship is temporarily suspended and will not be offered in 2026
Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) Majors and Minors at the University of Oregon will have the opportunity to explore Indigenous sovereignty and Native American and Indigenous studies through the lens of the University of Otago’s Te Tumu School of Mäori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies programs, an experience designed to help students frame their understanding of Native American and Indigenous Studies topics in the United States within a broader international Indigenous Studies perspective. Similarly, University of Otago students will have the opportunity to live with, learn from, and work alongside Native American and Indigenous students, NAIS majors and minors, and tribal communities and nations in and around the University of Oregon. NAIS Majors and Minors at the University of Oregon who have completed two years of coursework may be eligible.
Scholarship Details
*The UO-Otago ISE Scholarship will cover the full cost of tuition, room and board, airfare, passport and visa application fees (if applicable), and additional fees associated with required course or extra-curricular activities (if applicable)
Note: The ISE scholarship is temporarily suspended and will not be offered in 2026.
