So why would you work while studying in New Zealand? Here are a few of the most popular reasons that you will hear from other people when trying to decide whether or not you should be working while you are studying abroad. Instead of just riding on loans and other aid, a job can provide you with the following benefits.

• You can ensure that you have the money available so that you can prove your eligibility for a to start with. Having a job secured can make the process of ensuring your funding when you apply for your student visa.
• You can use the money to enjoy yourself and sustain yourself while you are residing in the country, so you can alleviate any stress that may occur because of monetary reasons. Money can be stressful, so you may as well do something to help alleviate that stress so that you can focus on your studies and do better while you are earning your degree.
• Some studies suggest that if you work while you are in school, your grades are actually better, as long as you are working a reasonable amount of hours. That’s part of the reason why New Zealand actually restricts the number of hours that you work to 20 per week during the semester.
• You will get work experience, which can be valuable to you when you graduate. In some cases, it can even assist with your studies to a point. An important note to realize: if you are getting educational experience at your job, you may want to see if you can get academic credit for it. If you can, you can actually work for more than 20 hours per week because it is considered to be part of your program.
• You may even get to travel while working, depending on what you do. That way, you get to see more of the country and earn some cash while you are doing it.

There are a number of stipulations that you must adhere to if you are looking to work while you are studying in New Zealand. There used to be a number of things that you need to do in order to be able to work. You used to have to apply for what is called a variation of condition, which allowed you to work for 20 hours per week during the semester, and 40 hours per week during the Christmas and New Year’s break, which is equivalent to the summer university break in the northern countries. You were not allowed to work during the break in between semesters (June and July) at all. The exception, of course, is if you were taking an internship or apprenticeship as part of your educational program. If you breached this at all, or tried to work without permission from Immigration New Zealand, then you could lose your visa and be deported from the country.

Now, in January of 2014, these rules went through a very large overhaul. It became much easier for international students on a visa to be able to work while they are studying. Here are some of the ways that these rules changed.

• Full time students were allowed to work during any course breaks, even the ones in between the two semesters (June to July). They can work full-time during that break as well, which allows you to secure a little more income while .
• Those who are working on a doctorate or a research master’s degree will be allowed to work full-time at any type of job. No permission is needed in order to do so, as long as you have an eligible student visa.
• Those who speak English as their primary language will be allowed to work 20 hours per week during the semester. There is no need for you to get a variation on your visa or any other special permission in order to do so; it’s just part of obtaining your visa. Those who do not speak English as their primary language will still need to go through the variations process in order to obtain employment while on a visa.

As you can see, there are a lot of things that you may have to do in order to ensure that you are able to work while you are in the country. But the benefits definitely outweigh the amount of time that you have to take in order to be able to work. If you need help updating your work visa, then you can contact or your international studies office for more information. They can help you out.

The post Working while Studying first appeared on Education in New Zealand.

Athletics

If you are someone that has enjoyed athletics throughout your life, then athletics is a possibility for you to pursue. You can enjoy exercise, you can join a club or team on your university campus or you can join community sports. Kiwis love sports, so we’ve dedicated a whole section of the site to helping you understand the . You can also take the time to exercise. Your health is a very important part of your university career, and you won’t do your best unless you take care of all parts of yourself, including your physical health. Take advantage of exercise

Social clubs and special interest organizations

Many universities in New Zealand have a number of different clubs and organizations that you can join. What are you interested in? What hobbies do you enjoy and what do you like to do in your spare time? Whether you like board games, are interested in a particular genre of movie, or want to get involved with student government, you have the ability to do so.  You can find religious groups, groups related to the degree program that you are studying, or even groups that can help you to learn a new skill or take up a new hobby. Just ask your international studies office and they will point you in the right direction.

Residence life

If you live in campus-based housing (halls of residence, etc), take advantage of the activities that your wardens are doing. They may take trips, play games, enjoy sports, or even splurge on pizza or make you a homemade meal, depending on the size of your dorm. Interact with the other people in your dorm, and you will not regret it. You are in that close space for up to four years; you may as well advantage of it and make friends with both native Kiwis and those who are studying abroad, just like you. You may make some of the closest friends you’ve ever had, just because you decided to branch out a little bit and enjoy your residence life experience.

Arts and culture

There are literally dozens of ways for you to enjoy arts and culture, right on your college campus. Many universities have musical groups, dancing groups, social events, cultural events, and a number of other activities that are going on. As an international student, this could really help you to round out your experience and learn more about the world that you are staying in. Enjoy the arts and culture experiences that are available both on and off campus, and you will feel like your time has been well-spent.

Travel and explore

There are a number of places that you can travel while you are studying in New Zealand. If you have weekends or a holiday free, make sure that you take the time to go look at all the sites. Nowhere else in the world can you drive two hours and find a totally different geography than where you started. If you love the mountains, drive to the North Island and check out the beautiful mountains. If you like the beach, drive to the Southern part of the South Island and see what there is to see. There are usually a number of different discounts and such for students, if you know how to utilize your resources. You may also be able to take trips with the university; many universities offer trips throughout the year.

You don’t have to go far

Remember, you’re studying abroad; this isn’t where you’re from. You don’t even have to leave the part of New Zealand that you are in. You can look around your local area and take a walk. Check out the areas of town that you’ve never been to; try a new pub or restaurant that you’ve heard of but didn’t get to yet. Just go out and get some fresh air while checking out your little pocket of the world; that’s enough to get you going in the morning.

Get a Job

You are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week on a student visa, so take advantage of it. There are plenty of jobs both on and off campus, and you may meet a lot of interesting people while working too. Try and find a job related to what you are studying, too; it can give you invaluable experience that you couldn’t get any other way. Want to learn more about working in New Zealand? Check out our section on .

Socialize

This is probably the top tip that we have for you. The best thing about New Zealand is the people, no matter what part of the country you are studying in. People are friendly and loving, and many of them will be willing to chat with you. Find ways to interact with native Kiwis; they will be able to give you valuable information, unforgettable experiences, and a number of other things that you wouldn’t ever get if you just stayed in your flat and did work.

Studying is, of course, the most important part of student life while you are in New Zealand. But don’t let your studies get in the way of enjoying the time that you have in the country. When you 51Ʒ��, you will never run out of things to do. Whether on campus or off campus, student life is meant to be enjoyed and you will get to see parts of the world that you would have never experienced otherwise. No matter what your interests are, there will be something for you to enjoy while studying in New Zealand. So, if you decide to 51Ʒ��, step out of your comfort zone a bit and see what there is to do. You may be pleasantly surprised by the results.

The post Student Life first appeared on Education in New Zealand.

The most popular sports in the country are rugby, cricket, netball, sailing, basketball, football, golf, tennis, any and all water sports, and winter sports. Obviously some of these are universal, but others are not quite as known. We’re going to look at some of those in more detail.

Even though it is popular throughout the world, a note does need to be made about “football” if you are coming to New Zealand from a country like the United States. The sport that is known as football in the United States is referred to as “American football” in other parts of the world. The sport that is referred to as “football” is usually soccer, even though “rugby football” can be used for rugby from time to time. Make sure that you know which sport is being talked about when you are talking to natives from New Zealand.

Cricket

Cricket is considered to be the national sport of summer in New Zealand. There are a number of countries out there that enjoy playing cricket, and they compete in something known as test match cricket (four innings games are played over 5 days). Cricket is a game that involves using a bat and ball, and is played with two teams of 11 players. Similar to baseball, players have to hit the ball and attempt to score runs. They take turns (switching when 10 batters have gone “out”), and each turn is known as an innings. The difference is, instead of using a baseball diamond, the field is the center of a 22 yard long pitch. You run from the batting area to the other end of the pitch to score a run.  It helps to watch practices and games in order to better understand the ins and outs of the sport, especially because the way that innings are calculated can be confusing.

Netball

Netball is actually taken from the earliest forms of basketball that developed during the late 19^th century. Netball has over 60 teams around the world. Like basketball, the games are on a rectangle shaped court that has a ring on each end; the players have to get the ball into the ring in order to score. The game has a much different pace than basketball, because a player can only possess the ball for three seconds before passing. But, at the same time, it may seem slower because players are only allowed to stay in certain areas of the court during play. Games are only an hour long, and the team with the most goals wins the game. Even though the sport has world-wide appeal, it is not as popular as rugby and cricket in New Zealand. Variants have been developed for netball to help increase the pace so that there is more interest from various audiences.

Rugby league

New Zealand plays both types of rugby; in this section, we’re going to look at Rugby league, which originated as a break off of rugby union, which we’ll look at in the next section. This game is much faster than its union counterpart, and it is considered to be one of the most physically difficult and demanding team sports in the world. You have to be tough to be good at rugby. Each team has 13 players, and the field is a rectangular shape.

You can either carry or kick the ball in rugby; you are trying to score “tries,” which are the points that you earn when you cross the opponents’ goal line and touch the ball to the ground. Tackling and other ways of preventing your opponent from getting the ball to your side of the field. You can also earn points through tackling and kicking a “try at goal” (similar to an extra point in football after a touchdown) or by kicking a field goal.

Rugby union

Rugby union, which is the more well-known and universal form of rugby played around the world, is also popular in New Zealand. It started in the 15^th century and only allows you to carry the ball (in rugby league, you can also kick it). The most common type of rugby union has 15 players per team; the ball is oval and the field is rectangular. Like it’s league counterpart, it has a lot of similarities to American football.

Games are split into 40 minute halves, with a short break in between halves; the teams also switch ends of the field. Even though the scheduled time is about 90 minutes, it usually lasts longer due to stopping the game for penalties and injuries. When time runs out on the clock, the players can keep playing until the ball is considered to be “dead,” which the referee will declare with the blow of the whistle. There are also times that extra time needs to be put in, like in cases of ties.

If you are looking for more information about these sports and any of the other sports that are popular in New Zealand, you can get everything that you need at the . They have all of the resources that you need to get involved, understand rules, and get in touch with the sporting organizations that you will find throughout the country of New Zealand.

The post Sports first appeared on Education in New Zealand.

New Zealand Healthcare System

There are a number of different things that are under the New Zealand health care system that you need to explore and understand so that you can utilize them while you are in the country. There are several plans that will cover you in different cases, even those cases that would be covered by your insurance anyway.

• The Accident Compensation Corporation actually takes care of anything that is considered to be an accident. This could include anything from medical malpractice, to vehicle accidents, to accidents that may occur while you’re on the job. This covers everyone who is in New Zealand legally, even if you are on a visa. The costs are covered by employers, taxes, car registration, and a number of other sources that go right into this government program.
• Primary care physicians and pharmacy programs are covered by the government as well. If you are not a native, you are going to have to pay a bit higher of a co-pay than you would have if you were a native of the country, but it’s not so much that it’s going to hurt you. In some cases, your private insurance plan can cover some of those costs as well.
• Emergency services are also low cost, and are provided through the St. John New Zealand charity. Some of the funds are public; others are provided through private, donated funders. This system is also low cost to free for those who are in the country as visitors. So, if something happens while you are in New Zealand and you need emergency surgery or any other type of emergency care, it will be covered.
• The public hospital system is actually a lot different than the other systems that you will see in New Zealand. The system is much, much better than public hospitals in other areas, likely because of how much money goes into them from the government. You will have to pay for public hospital services in New Zealand if you are on a student visa, which is why all schools require insurance for their international students. The main reason is because the system is popular and there are very long waiting lists for costly and/or difficult operations that may need to occur (unless they are urgent, life or death situations). There are a number of private hospitals out there as well, and they are organized in such a way that people can purchase insurance from them and not have to wait on those lists for medically necessary treatment.

In 2005, about 9% of the GDP was in the health care system, but almost 80% of that was spent by the government, showing you exactly how much money the government puts into the system. Health insurance is also much lower cost than other countries, at a cost of about $2000 per year per person. The reason for this, really, is because New Zealand residents have much better health than those in other countries. This could be due to the lack of stress, the great weather, or a number of other factors, but New Zealand residents take much less medication and require less overall health care than their counterparts in other parts of the world.

Information for student visa holders

If you are on a student visa, there are a number of things you need to understand for yourself. First, if you are disabled or have a debilitating illness (that does not prevent you from coming into the country in the first place), you may be eligible for health care from the government. These things (illness or disease) would have to make you eligible for similar benefits in your home country or in New Zealand, had you lived there at the time.

There are a number of things that you need to have in order to prove that you are eligible for health care under the system. You have to show them a few things in order to receive the health care; this is to prevent people who are not in the country legally from trying to obtain services.

• Visa information for the visa that you currently hold for residing in New Zealand. This includes any documentation from
• Immigration history, including the visas that you previously have had for New Zealand and other countries.
• Anything that helps to prove your identity as indicated on the letters. This can include any number of documents, from a driver’s license, a school identification card, your work contract, a rental lease, letters and/or bills addressed to you, or a passport.

If you have any children under the age of 17, and you are in the country legally, they will get publicly funded health care as long as you show the above information to the health care provider. Your partner, if pregnant, can also receive maternity services at no cost as long as they prove that they are your partner. If they are looking for other services, they will have to have their own insurance in order to cover those services.

No matter which school you attend as an international student, you are required to have supplemental health care in order to help alleviate the costs on the government for your school attendance. You can talk to your university or your current insurance agency in order to figure out the best course of action while you are studying in New Zealand. You can also contact the New Zealand Ministry of Health at their ; they will give you all the information that you need in order to be ready before your arrival in the country.

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The society is incredibly multi-cultural

You would never think that a country nestled in the corner of the world would be so multi-cultural, but you really don’t realize how different it is until you arrive. There are literally people from all over the world that live in New Zealand. Most of the island is inhabited by immigrants from European countries, but the “miniorities” on the island make up a majority of the population. The native Māori play a large role in society, and you will see many of their customs intertwined into modern customs. There are many Asians and Africans who have also immigrated to the country over the years, making it a literal melting pot of cultures. But, it’s not like other countries where there seems to be tension among the different cultures that you see. They believe in a principle that they call “a fair go.” If something goes wrong, then New Zealand people are more likely to give people a second chance so that they can prove themselves or show that things can be done differently.

Resourcefulness is embraced

This is something that the New Zealanders are especially proud of. They are very, very resourceful and able to manipulate any situation so that it can be beneficial for them. They can make sure that they are able to do anything with any items that they have. New Zealanders actually do much better for themselves than you would think that people from such a small, out of the way country would. New Zealanders tell a story about how the Kiwi bird is able to take fencing wire and do whatever they need with it. Since New Zealanders often refer to themselves as “Kiwis,” they take this story of resourcefulness and apply it to who they are. The number of New Zealanders who have made a difference in the world is quite long, and will likely continue to grow through the years.

Hospitality is both encouraged and embraced

We’ve mentioned in other areas of the site just how hospitable New Zealanders are. They love to bring people into their homes. They love visitors and will be friendly and open to anyone. Of course, they expect the same kind of behavior from those who are temporarily residing in the country as well. You need to be polite, gracious, and friendly to everyone that you meet, not only because it’s polite, but because that’s the New Zealand way. If you call New Zealand your home for any amount of time, then expect to learn the ways of being kind and hospitable to everyone that crosses your path.

Kiwis are proud of their country

Kiwis love to show off their country. And not in some self-righteous, rude way, either. They are actually really happy about the way that their country is, and they want to show it off to other people so that they can enjoy it too. If you say that you love New Zealand, then you will have made a friend for life. They will also make sure to show you everything and anything about their country that they want to show you, especially “little things” which visitors to the country may know absolutely nothing about.

There is no reason to be so uptight

As we’ve mentioned in other areas of the site, New Zealanders are incredibly laid back, informal, relaxed people. Part of this is because the government used to be so formal and legalistic; there was a hierarchy of people and some Kiwis were kind of irritated by that way of life. So it’s actually very looked down upon if you are rude to a server or even a fast-food worker. You are to be polite to everyone, because everyone is equal. No matter what your race, gender, socioeconomic status, or sexuality, you are just the same as every other Kiwi out there. Their people are incredibly kind to everyone that comes by, unless they are treated rudely.

Everything is for celebrating

Kiwis love to celebrate and party. If there is a culture that is found within New Zealand, then there is probably some sort of ceremony or festival that tips a hat toward them. Many of the celebrations of holidays include a tip of the hat to the native Māori, whose food, culture, and other parts of their early society are still influential in a number of ways. There is plenty of time off throughout the year, which allows for people to enjoy time with friends and family for possibly no reason at all except to enjoy each other. Friends and family are at the core of New Zealand culture, and if you have stepped foot on their lands as a student, you are considered a friend.

So, as you can see, the culture is full of very interesting and unique people that you can’t find anywhere else in the world. Because of their friendliness, which is so different than what you will see in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States, you will feel like you’ve arrived at home, even though you may be thousands of miles away. As long as you try to fit in, which is mostly by being kind and just embracing the Kiwi way, you will do just fine.

If you have any questions about New Zealand culture and customs, talk to the international affairs office at your university. They will be able to help you learn some of the cultural things that we didn’t discuss here, and give you more information on the things that occur throughout the year.

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Consumer goods in New Zealand are of the same style and quality that you will find overseas by other manufacturers. Here are some of the prices that you will see when looking at different products. All of these are in New Zealand dollars (NZ); you can use a conversion calculator like the one found .

• Average washing machine: $700-$800
• Average round of golf: $20 to $50
• Average movie ticket: $12
• 4 door sedan: $25000
• Cup of Coffee: $4
• Petrol per liter: $2.00
• Milk (2 liters): $4
• Fast food sandwich: $4 to $5
• Average meal at a restaurant: $20 to $25

The goods and services tax (GST) is 15% in New Zealand, which may feel high until you realize that other taxes are a bit lower than you will see in other countries. The in 2012, which ranks cities from the most expensive places to live (#1) to the least expensive named Auckland and Wellington, two major cities in New Zealand, to be two of the cities with the lowest cost of living (56 and 74, respectively). This means that these cities are actually much better to live in than areas like New York City, London, and Beijing, and are actually very good places for you to consider if you think that you want to study abroad but you are not sure where you want to go.

There are, of course, other services that you have to look at when it comes to the cost of living in a particular country. You need to look at other factors as well. Here are some of the numbers that you will see when it comes to how much essentials cost in New Zealand:

• Utilities: Most people will spend about .25 per Kilohertz of electricity, depending on the company that they get their electricity from. For an average family, that puts it at around $2000 a year, but it will be much less if you are living in a flat on your own or with one or two roommates. Throw in other utilities, and it costs somewhere from $150 to $200 a month for all your utilities.
• Internet costs approximately $85 a month, and, like many countries, will have a limit on exactly how much you are allowed to use throughout the month.
• Rent is anywhere from $800 to $2000 per month, depending on where you live in relation to a city, suburb, or university. It will also depend on the size of the place that you are renting out.
• The cost of your education, which we will explore more in other areas of the site, will range anywhere from $10000 to $18000 per year, depending on what school you attend and what your program of study is. Graduate programs cost a bit more, from $14,000 to $24,000 per year.
• Health care is incredibly good. You will pay anywhere from $25 to $60 for a doctor’s appointment; hospital costs are usually free (but surgeries have waiting lists unless it’s an emergency), $5 for prescriptions. Health insurance is relatively affordable as well, even for international students.

As you can see, there are a number of factors that play into the cost of living in New Zealand (or honestly, no matter where you end up studying). The cost of living is low enough that you should be able to make it without a lot of problems.

The good thing is that there are plenty of ways for you to get the money you need. Since most student visas allow you to work while you are studying, you will be better prepared to deal with any financial things that come up. For more information on , check out our section that explains it a bit better. We will look at some of these categories of living essentials in more detail in other sections of the site. The immigration office offers a lot of information about the cost of living on , if you are looking for more information to base your decisions on.

The post Cost of Living first appeared on Education in New Zealand.

Halls of Residence

Halls of residence are available at most of the universities and tertiary institutions that are in New Zealand. They are usually near or on the campus, and they are in large buildings. Some countries may call these “residence halls” or “dormitories.” At some universities, you can get a room to yourself; other residence halls may have you share a room with a roommate. All of them have communal meeting areas, dining halls, and laundry rooms.

There are a number of advantages to living in a residence hall. First off, you will never be without company. Being in a hall of residence allows you to interact with other people so that you can make new friends and enjoy activities with them. There are usually people who run the halls, called “wardens” or “residence directors,” depending on the school you are at. These people can help you if there’s a problem with your room or the facilities, and they may even organize activities or events for you and the other people in the hall of residence to enjoy. Living in a residence hall is a very social option, so if you want to get the most exposure to other Kiwis and international students, it may be the way to go. It’s also relatively inexpensive; it costs about $7000 (NZ) per year. Talk to your admissions office or student life office for more information on halls of residence.

51Ʒ��stay programs

As we’ve mentioned in other areas of the site, people in New Zealand are incredibly hospitable, which means that they are willing to home people while they are studying in New Zealand. These are called 51Ʒ��stay programs, which mean that you get to live with a family in their home with your own room. If you think that you will end up missing a “family” atmosphere, and you want something that’s incredibly cost-effective, a homestay program may be a great option.

If English isn’t your first language, the homestay program may be a big help because it forces you to interact in English with other people. You will also get a big dose of New Zealand culture; many families integrate their homestay students into their family life. They will provide you with meals and do fun activities and traditions with you as well.

There are several websites that can help you to find a homestay family. Here are a few of the best ones out there.

• http://www.homestayfinder.com/51Ʒ��stay/New%20Zealand.aspx#.UqioH_RDt8E
• http://www.newzealand.com/us/homestays/
• http://www.tourism.net.nz/accommodation/homestays

“Going Flatting” – Rentals

Many study-abroad students will look for rentals so that they can live on their own. Kiwis call this “going flatting.” You can rent apartments, homes, rooms, or whatever else you want to live in. You can live with whoever you want or with no one at all. Many realtors will own rental properties near the universities so that they can rent to students, both native and international.

Here are some of the questions that you need to ask and think about when you are looking for a flat in New Zealand:

• What comes with the apartment? Many New Zealand properties have a yard and somewhere to park your car. Others will include large appliances, like ovens, washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, etc.
• What is included with your monthly rent payment? Does it just cover your rent, or does it include other utilities? Internet, electricity, gas, trash, water, sewer, and whatever other features that you may need, are they included? Are those things listed on the lease?
• Do you have a pet that you are bringing with you or do you plan to get one while there? Then you may need to look for an apartment that is pet-friendly.
• Will you be rooming with other people? Do you want your own room or do you want/need to share one with someone else?
• What are you responsible for? Yard work, snow shoveling, etc may be your responsibility, but they may also be your landlord’s. Ask them if you want to know more about it.
• How large is the place that you are renting? Will it seem crowded if you have additional flat-mates, or is it a comfortable size?
• How much is it per month (or per week, depending on where you are renting) to live there? In that same vein, how long does the lease go for? Is it per year, per month, for your entire college career?
• What is the security deposit? How much do you need to pay them upfront in order to reserve the spot that you want to live in? Will you get the deposit back upon moving out?
• Are there any furnishing? As an international student, you may want to look for a rental that has furnishings, so that you don’t have to worry about purchasing them upon your arrival to the country. It may cost a little bit more, but the extra cost is worth reducing the hassle.

Of course, it can be difficult to try and find a rental when you are living on the other side of the world. The internet can help with that; there are even some websites that will allow you to tour the rental property while you are thousands of miles of away.

Always do your research before signing any agreement to rent, so that you can ensure that you are getting everything that you need with your monthly rent payment. You may also be able to get a list of potential rental properties from the university that you are attending; many universities will have that information readily available. You may even be able to find people who are looking for roommates as well, which can help to reduce your costs immensely.

As you can see, there are a number of websites that can really help you out when you are looking to 51Ʒ��. If you need more information or need help finding somewhere to stay, contact the international studies office at the university that you are looking to attend. They will be able to help you find the accommodations that you need and they can help you figure out the expenses related to it as well. Good luck on your search for accommodations in New Zealand.

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