If you are seeking a non-traditional study abroad experience along with outdoor adventures and alike study environment then the perfect place for you is New Zealand. Given its size, you will be shocked to know that there are only eight universities in the country which is spread across the two islands.
The number of international students studying in New Zealand provides testimony to the level of the country’s educational system.
Now, before you fly into this beautiful and less visited study-abroad destination you need to know a few things which will make it easier for you to cope with everything. By the end of this blog, you will get to know some important pointers before you begin your study in New Zealand.
Top Things You Should Keep in Mind Before Starting Your Study in New Zealand
1. Check For the Chilly Weather
One of the interesting things about New Zealand is that you can often experience all four seasons in a day. So, before boarding a plane to New Zealand make sure to pack sweaters, rain jackets, and layered everyday wear.
New Zealand is located in one of the most mountainous regions the weather typically ranges from the 50s to the low 70s throughout the year, with a chance of sporadic rain. The weather is too tends to be cooler in the south than in the north and the coldest time of the year is between June and August. When preparing for your journey you should keep in mind that the higher the altitude the colder will be the temperature which means that you will need warm clothes to get along the weather.
But if you are someone who is not so comfortable in the cold weather and if you are planning to study in New Zealand then you at least once should consider your decision.
2. Student Visa Consultant
Before you check the universities, get in touch with a good student visa consultant. There you will get an idea about how the visa process works keeping in mind the functioning of New Zealand’s education system. While beginning the process of your consultancy, check for the company you are approaching and its success rates.
The guides will help you know about the different types of courses offered by the universities in New Zealand like MBA, MBBS, Digital Marketing, and many more along with the scholarships you are eligible for.
3. Check the Universities Along With the Rank
If you want to study in New Zealand then you must note that there are only eight universities in the whole country. If students want to immerse themselves in a state university, they can choose from Universities like Auckland University of Technology, University of Auckland, Massey University, University of Otago, or Victoria University of Wellington. These universities can hold students from 17,000 to 33,000.
If students don’t want to get into state universities then there are several private universities that can hold students from 3,000 to 12,000 students. Along with these, as a student you must consider the rank of a University if you hold a degree from a university that ranks higher then it will help you in the future.
After checking the universities, start applying to those and make sure you submit all documents demanded along with a valid statement of purpose. You will need to submit the enrollment form after which you will receive your orientation date. It is compulsory for all international students.
4. Best Intake if You Want to Study in New Zealand
No matter the time of the year, if you want to begin your study in New Zealand it’s always the perfect time. You can choose a variety of programs which includes summer semester, full-year exchange, short-term multi-country travel along with study experiences.
If you want to learn something then you can take up classes along with the local students and learn about the history, language, ecology, and political issues of the country. Also, if you are someone who has the interest to know about new cultures then as a student you can live in a host family or dorm along with the local students from New Zealand to get more immersed in the Kiwi family.
At the end of your semester if you want to stay back for a while then you can apply for a working holiday visa in New Zealand or Australia and spend up to a year working.
5. Acquire Skills That Will Help You
It is always advised that before you jump to a new country as a student you should learn cooking and other basic work like fixing the taps, cleaning the garden and many more as these services are very expensive abroad. If you acquire these skills from your hometown before coming abroad then these will always help you save an extra buck.
From a health point of view, it is not always healthy to eat at restaurants or cafes as it will affect your health in the long run so it’s better to learn basic cooking before moving out.
But are you a BBQ fan? If so, then you will be in love with kiwi cuisine! Home of fresh vegetables and local farm food in New Zealand is healthy, organic, and tasty.
Also learn skills like animation, web development, business analytics, and many more as with the help of these skills you can get a part-time job. As per visa conditions as a student you are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during the semester and full-time during vacations. So, you can use your income to full fill your daily essentials and can also support your family back in your hometown.
However, you must keep in mind that if you are found working more than your approved hours then you will be deported without any consideration.
6. The Best Cities for Students
New Zealand has an excellent academic atmosphere along with a clean, green, and safe environment which makes it a preferable country for studies for students. There are many cities but some of the top cities chosen by students include Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Hamilton.
Auckland is located on the North Island and is the biggest city in New Zealand. To date, this city has one of the largest Polynesian populations in the world. This city of two harbors, surrounded by rainforests was recently categorised as the world’s most livable city according to the Economist’s World’s most livable cities in the 2015 index.
To Sum Up
With this, we have reached the end of this blog based on the things you should remember before you start your study in New Zealand. Now that you have got a gist about studying in New Zealand, explore all the programs which are available for international students.
But if you have any doubts regarding overseas education or want to know more about studying in New Zealand then feel free to avail Mindler’s Online Career Counseling from experts. We will help know more about overseas education along with scholarships and many more.
So, get ready and start packing to begin your immersive kiwi experience!