A quick refresher on what Experience Ara is and how it works.

Experience Ara is all about giving students a feel for tertiary-level study with hands-on taster days, holiday programmes, information sessions, STAR courses, and workshops in a wide range of subjects.

Events are held throughout the school year and most are free. Depending on the activity, students might meet tutors and current Ara students, use our industry-standard facilities to undertake tasks and challenges, or just have a great time learning about a subject they are really interested in.

To ensure that every student gets the best experience, here are some important reminders!

Experience Ara Website

• You can find all scheduled Experience Ara events at the Experience Ara website. View information about individual events (including age groups, fees, and unit standards), find scheduled dates, and register students into an occurrence.
  
• Download the South Canterbury & Christchurch Wall Planners and Experience Ara Brochure at the bottom of this article. Visit the Experience Ara website for the most up-to-date information.
  
• If there are no dates showing on the website, this means the occurrence is full. If a student would like to be waitlisted, you can make a request via email at engagement@ara.ac.nz
• Every Experience Ara taster & STAR course has an age limit. Please refer to the Experience Ara website or brochure for this information.
• Regular Experience Ara taster events don’t include unit standards or credits.

Experience Ara Registration Process

1. Student Registers: The Student registers via the Experience Ara website for their preferred event & date.
2. Automatic Registration Email Triggered: Automatic registration emails are sent to the nominated School contact and the Guardian requesting for confirmation.
3. School Confirmation: For events scheduled during school hours, written confirmation is required from the School. Email to engagement@ara.ac.nz or respond to the automatic registration email.
4. Guardian Confirmation: For events scheduled during holidays or outside of school hours, written confirmation is required from the Guardian. Email to engagement@ara.ac.nz or respond to the automatic registration email.
5. Invoice Contact: Confirmation of invoice contact is required where applicable.
6. Final Confirmation: Once the Student is confirmed, a Final Confirmation email is sent out one week prior to the event start date. This email contains information regarding meeting place, time, required wear/preparation, etc. and is sent to the Student, Guardian, and School.
7. Withdrawal: Students must notify Engagement of withdrawal at least two business days before the event start date. 
8. Non-Attendance Fee: Failure to notify of withdrawal will result in a non-attendance fee which is $50 ex GST per day or $30 ex GST per half-day. STAR course non-attendance fee will be the complete price of the course. If Student provides a medical certificate or if their absence is related to COVID-19, the non-attendance fee will be waived. The non-attendance fee may be different for specific events.
9. E-Text Reminder: An automatic e-text is sent to the Student one day prior to the event start date.
10. After the Event: Invoicing will be done at the end of the month. STAR course results are usually sent out 1 - 2 months after the course end date. Results will be sent electronically and then sent out via mail along with certificates and relevant brochures. 

Bespoke Event

• Bespoke Experience Ara events cater for schools and organisations wanting to register more than five students into a taster event.
• If your school would like more than five students to attend one taster please visit the Experience Ara Bespoke Events page for alternative options and further information.
• Bespoke requests are subject to availability.
  
• Each event requires a minimum number of students. There is also a maximum limit.
• Half day bespoke events cost $30 (ex GST) per person and full day bespoke events cost $50 (ex GST) per person. Fees may be different for specific events.
• Nursing & Medical Imaging aren’t available for bespoke requests.

If you have any questions about Experience Ara, you can get in touch with your school's assigned Youth & Community Representative or email engagement@ara.ac.nz