Let’s Explore Student Life in New Zealand!

New Zealand is a small island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, well known for its Rugby team, native Māori culture and wonderful wildlife. The country provides world-class education facilities, research opportunities, and globally accredited programs along with a perfectly balanced and harmonic life. What else do you need in your dream study destination? Studying in New Zealand will also introduce you to an extremely welcoming and friendly society that is going to support you throughout your journey. A student’s life is way beyond in and out of the classroom. Wondering how is student life in New Zealand? Read this blog to learn more about it!

What is the Student Life in New Zealand Like?

Type of Visa Needed

Before we get into the specifics of student life in New Zealand, let’s first discuss the sort of visa that a student needs to obtain in order to begin his adventure in this distant nation. If you need to stay in New Zealand for more than three months for your educational programme, you will require a Student Visa. International full-time (more than 20 hours per week of studies) students should apply for a student visa through Immigration New Zealand (INZ). It is important to note that certain requirements must be completed before anybody may study in the country. Find out more about the eligibility and other requirements for New Zealand Student Visa here!

New Zealand revamped its visa application procedure in August 2011, making it more streamlined and student-friendly. In addition to higher service standards, officials now aim to process 80% of the total student visa applications within 30 days. A student visa will set you back US$185 (INR 13,514).

Pro Tip: College students in New Zealand dress informally. So pack and bring many jeans, trousers, tees, jerseys (sweaters), sweatshirts, and a thick waterproof jacket.

Discover Life in New Zealand 

Almost equal inland area to the UK or Japan, New Zealand is known to be one of the most peaceful countries. The limited population in the country is a prominent reason why people are easily able to maintain a work-life balance in New Zealand. Being an international student, it will be easier for you to blend and settle in. You will witness a supportive environment at universities in New Zealand. The classroom size is reasonably small, promoting a more personal learning approach. 

Do you know?
New Zealand was the first country to establish
a Code of Practice for the care of international students! 

Getting Around

The daily commute is an important aspect of student life in New Zealand or be it any other country. Various means of transport through which you can travel in the cities or country are buses, cabs, trains and ferries. If you stay away from the university, your major movement would be around the institution only, for which the most affordable means of transportation would be buses. Apart from this, you can easily take a cab or rent a car on a monthly basis. While travelling from one city to another you can, you can enjoy the mesmerizing ferry rides and enjoy the picturesque view.  

Do not forget to enjoy the boogie board down sand dunes at the 90-mile beach
Or
To ride a boat or kayak to the beautiful Bay of Islands!

Do check out an important blog on Intakes in New Zealand

A Favourable Atmosphere

A friendly and favourable atmosphere always surrounds and supports student life in New Zealand. The class or course will most likely have fewer pupils than you are accustomed to. As a result, you may anticipate more personalised attention from your professors than you would in other areas of the world. If you’re experiencing trouble with an assignment, you may talk to your tutor about it or get assistance from the student learning centre. Seeking assistance when necessary is a common aspect of student life in New Zealand.

Do you know: New Zealand doesn’t have any dangerous or wild animals. The country is known as the seabird capital of the world and has many marine animals – such as penguins, albatrosses, dolphins, seals and whales.

Selecting the Right Accommodation  

It is good to sort accommodation before your arrival. University hostels are one common option available to all students. Apart from that, you have an option to stay at a hall of residence, rent a house with friends, or board a homestay. Renting a house with friends is a rare thing for freshers, while the other two are common choices for many international students. Staying at a hall of residence is the most popular option as it allows you to interact with various students at once. You create friendships and bonds which help you throughout your educational journey. Universities in New Zealand provide accommodation support to international students by informing them about the best options to stay outside the campus in nearby areas.  

You would definitely won’t regret reading our blog on Happiest Countries to Study Abroad!

A Reasonable Cost of Living

Some areas or cities in New Zealand may be less expensive for students to reside in than others. In addition to tuition and insurance, you will require between $20,000 and $25,000 per year ($380–480 per week) for accommodation/rent, food expenditures, transportation costs, phone bills, internet usage, and entertainment as an international student in New Zealand. The average living expenditure will be the same for everyone, regardless of tuition or course price. You may use our Cost of Living Calculator to determine the cost of living in New Zealand as a student. 

Note: Because most New Zealand cities are small, many students may walk or cycle to their educational institution.

Explore Events and Interact with People 

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Cultural diversity can be seen in every nook and corner of cities in New Zealand. The most exciting part of your student life in New Zealand would be experiencing the diversity in terms of people, food, events, traditions and much more. A popular student event in New Zealand is SchoolFest which brings together the best theatre, dance, music, literature, visual and cultural arts from New Zealand and around the world. Universities also host cultural, sports and national events and workshops throughout the year. You will for sure be seeing quite a few Rugby matches as Kiwis are really passionate about it!

Did you know?
The All Blacks, the national Rugby team of NZ, is famed for performing
a traditional Maori war dance called the Haka at the start of every international match. 

Also Read: Study in New Zealand without IELTS

Recreational Activities 

Taking some time out for leisure activities from your study schedule helps in rejuvenation. You can enjoy your weekend by trying out sports like skydiving, bungee jumping, and jet boating, or you can spend a day in the lap of nature by hiking or cycling through the beautiful jungles. White sandy beaches, scenic lakes, snow-capped mountains, and stunning fjords can be your weekend getaway spots.

The Waiheke Island in New Zealand awaits you with its finest wines!

Freedom of Questioning 

Unlike in many other nations and cultures, student life in New Zealand is overflowing with independence and rights. Questioning and confronting professors and lecturers, for example, is a vital element of a New Zealand education. Students at all levels are expected to have original ideas and to be prepared to defend them in the discussion. This is how we express our appreciation for our teachers: by actively engaging in the academic process. You’re also expected to be self-motivated, especially at the university level, when courses generally require only a few hours of formal instruction each week.

Pro Tip: New Zealand is very sunny, so don’t forget to use sunblock! The country is also exposed to high levels of ultraviolet radiation (UV), so wear a sunhat and sunglasses in summer.

Fostering Creativity 

New Zealand is a developing and youthful country in which freedom, initiative, and creativity are valued more than status or regulations. As a student living in New Zealand, you will be encouraged to be inquisitive, and adaptable, and to seek your own solutions by thinking for yourself.

Did you know: New Zealand’s weather ranges from warm and subtropical in the far north to chilly and temperate in the extreme south. Summer in New Zealand lasts from December to February, whereas winter lasts from June to August.

Work While Studying in New Zealand 

Student life in New Zealand is all the more fun and full of learning opportunities as students here can work while pursuing their degree program or course. Full-time foreign students are authorised to work up to 20 hours per week while studying. During the holidays, they might also work full-time. Foreign students who desire to work while studying must petition for a change in the terms of their student visa. This can be done either during the initial application process or later, as long as their student visa is still valid.

Work Post Graduation 

To encourage overseas students to stay after finishing their degrees, the New Zealand government enables individuals without job offers to get a visa for up to 12 months and work at temporary employment while looking for a career in their desired profession. Students who get a job offer after completing their degree must apply for a Graduate Work Experience visa using the Study to Work Instructions. This permits them to work in New Zealand for 2 years to obtain practical work experience related to their credentials. The Graduate Work Experience visa can be given for 3 years to qualifying international students who want to join or register with a New Zealand professional organisation that needs more than two years of relevant work experience.

What is the Indian Student Life in New Zealand Like?

Many Indians study in New Zealand. Given the large Indian population in New Zealand, life for an Indian student there is highly refreshing and soothing. In addition to making acquaintances, Indians in New Zealand also lead quite comfortable lives thanks to the country’s abundance of Indian eateries and food stores. Therefore, you will be able to live easily in New Zealand and prepare meals.

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How do you like the student life in New Zealand? Let us know in the comment section below! If you want to experience all this in real, then Leverage Edu is your one-stop-shop. Get in touch with our experts and start your journey now!