The Meeker-New Zealand Student Exchange Program

Each February, a group of students from Meeker Middle School heads to the James Hargest Junior Campus in Invercargill, New Zealand. Through three weeks of living with a Kiwi family and participating in a variety of field trips, students gain an understanding of life in the Southland region of New Zealand. By reflecting their experiences in a journal, ambassadors can share their experiences with other students at Meeker upon their return.

Obviously, a trip of this nature requires plenty of work. In fact, preparation begins nine months before the trip! The ambassador parent group must plan and complete fund raisers to pay for the field trips in New Zealand. Also, the students must prepare by planning both a group performance and develop independent projects about American culture.

To be an ambassador, you must:

Be a student at Meeker during the year of your trip.
Maintain a G.P.A. of 2.5 or higher.
Remain on Honor Level 1 or 2.
Complete a written application and interview process.