Things to do in New Zealand as International Student
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There are a lot of things to do in New Zealand as an international student. Foreign students should always take the initiative to interact with others students and to enjoy their educational experience. As far as activities are concerned, there are many things that you can do on your campus or off of it.
Below are some ideas that you can follow in your student life to get the maximum benefit out of the experience of studying abroad.
Take part in athletic activities
New Zealand thrives on outdoor athletic culture, and most students take part in sports activities in their free time. If you also enjoy athletics, then athletics is a good activity for you to pursue. You should join a club or university team for community sports. You can also take time out to exercise at college gym. University gyms are free for students. You definitely need to take advantage of the free gym services as almost everyone in NZ has athletic built and there aren’t many overweight people.
Join special interest organizations and clubs
Every university in New Zealand has many different clubs and organizations that students can join. There are niche clubs as well, for example, for those who like board games, or a particular genre of movies, or are interested in gaming. You will also find groups related to the program that you are studying, along with groups that help you learn a new skill or a new hobby. Ask the international student cell and they will help you out with processes like membership, formalities etc.
Activities for residence life
If you live on campus, then you need to take advantage of the activities that are going on around you. Get in touch with res life coordinators and take part in trips, enjoy sports, or even go out partying, make homemade meals etc. maintain good relations with the other people in your dorm, as you will be there for two to four years. You should take advantage of it to make friends with local students and Indian students like you.
Explore the local culture
There are dozens of ways to enjoy arts and culture right on your college campus. Musical groups, social events, dance groups, cultural events and a number of other activities go on at the campus all the time. As an international student, this will really help you to learn more about the society and culture that you are staying in. Enjoy the cultural experiences that are available on and off campus and you will feel like you are utilizing your time a lot better.
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Travel and explore the new place
New Zealand is such a beautiful country and there are a number of places to travel to. If you are free on weekends or holidays, make sure you take the time to travel to all the exciting places. If you love mountains, drive to North Island. If you like beaches, drive to the South Island. There are different discounts for students for most of the activities. You should also go on trips with your university as all the universities make trips throughout the year.
Get a part-time job
All international students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week on the NZ student visa. There are plenty of jobs on campus and you will meet a lot of interesting people while working. It is an invaluable opportunity to earn and support your expenses while studying. Your job might include a lot of interesting activities, which will help you learn more about the country.
- Job prospects for Indians who have studied in New Zealand
- Part-time work option in New Zealand for international students
Don’t be afraid to socialize
The best thing about Kiwis is that they are friendly and courteous, and most of them will be happy to interact with you. They will give you valuable information, share experiences, and you will be part of other things that you wouldn’t imagine if you just stayed in your room or dorm.
When you go to New Zealand, you will never run out of things to do. Student life is meant to be enjoyed and see parts of the world that you would never have experienced otherwise. So, if you are coming to study in New Zealand, you will have to step out of your comfort zone and see what the country has to offer.
Commonly asked questions
With a good educational system, excellent quality of life, and a number of research opportunities, New Zealand offers a lot to international students. Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand has a 39 percent population of overseas citizens, making it a culturally diverse city. Moreover, the post-study work visa in New Zealand can offer up to three years of stay back. As per Stats New Zealand, its unemployment rate is 3.4 percent. Students enrolled in a course of 12 months or more can also work part-time in New Zealand for up to 20 hours a week during the semester and holidays.
The tuition fees that a student would need to pay will depend on the type of qualification and the university they are looking at to pursue their education. While courses such as humanities, education, and arts are likely to cost less pursuing subjects such as medicine and engineering costs on the higher side.
The below table sheds light on the tuition fee charged level-wise in New Zealand from international students applying to their universities:
Study Program Level | Annual Costs in NZD |
|---|---|
Diploma or Certificate courses | NZD 23,000 - NZD 47,000 |
English Language courses | NZD 350 (per week) |
Undergraduate degree | NZD 22,000 - NZD 32,000 |
Master's degree | NZD 26,000 - NZD 37,000 |
Doctoral degree | NZD 6,500 - NZD 9,000 |
The cost of living does not includes only the tuition fee but also other expenses like textbooks, NON-tuition fee, accommodation cost and other personal expenses. The moment a student lands in New Zealand, they need to pay $35 international visitor and tourism conservation levy. The living cost can vary as per the accommodation option, location and personal spending habits.
In addition to your tuition and insurance fees, you will need between $20,000 and $25,000 per year ($380–480 per week) for accommodation/rent, food expenses, transportation costs, phone bills, internet usage and entertainment.
New Zealand is one of the top destinations for international students going abroad for higher education. All of eight universities in New Zealand are ranked among the top 3% universities in the world. New Zealand education sets up students with a globally recognised qualification and real-world skills. Each year thousands of students from India apply for various universities in the New Zealand. As per Govt. of India, there are more than 2,500 Indian students that went to study in 2022 in various universities in New Zealand.
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Raj Vimal is an education writer and editor with over 8 years of experience. He helps Indian students find the right universities, visas, and courses abroad. Currently, he leads content strategies at InfoEdge India
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