Breeana Laughlin, the 2011 New Zealand and Sydney Sustainable Business student blogger, writes:

On the South Island of New Zealand, students from Grizzlies Abroad and Eagles Abroad, including myself, had the privilege of participating in some amazing adventures.

Students in the New Zealand sustainable business study abroad program kayak off the shores of Abel Tasman National Park

We kayaked off the shores of a majestic national park. We glided through the water, taking in the spectacular sights and sounds of Abel Tasman Park.

We received a firsthand account of the history and culture of the Ngai Tahu Tribe. We visited a piece of land where they lived hundreds of years ago, learned how to weave the leaves of plants, played an intense outdoor game and heard how tribal members have integrated resources from nature into their culture.

Students tested their coordination learning a fun new game during a Maori cultural tour in Kaikoura, New Zealand

We dove into the open ocean and come face to face with one of nature’s most intelligent creatures. We made other funny noises to attract dolphins to us while we swam in the open ocean. There were hundreds, even thousands of dolphins. It was amazing to look them in the eye and swim in circles with our playful mammal counterparts.

In Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world, we visited the site of the world’s first bungy jump company AJ Hackett – which is still going strong. We also heard from the sustainability-minded owners of ZipTrek, whose customers fly down the scenic mountainsides on a zip line.

All of these businesses care about the environment and rely on nature to keep their operations alive.  Teaching visitors about the importance of caring for the world around them is a big part of the way they do business.

After getting to experience what these businesses have to offer, it’s hard not to appreciate the many amazing aspects of nature. I hope these experiences inspire my fellow classmates and all the other lucky visitors to support sustainable causes so we can continue to enjoy the spectacular sites, scenery, wildlife and culture in New Zealand.