Filipina postgraduate student

Melanie on the Redwoods tree walk in Rotorua, New Zealand

Melanie Dublin describes her time in Rotorua.

Rotorua: balanced lifestyle and breath-taking scenery

Malaysian undergraduate student

Arina, an international student in New Zealand

Starting a new life in a different country can be challenging for international students, especially when leaving family and old friends behind.

Studying overseas and making It feel like home

A family eating lunch overlooking a harbour

Mohammed is a student from Saudi Arabia who is studying English at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology. 

A day in the life of Mohammed from Saudi Arabia

Aerial view of Tauranga Port and Mt Maunganui

Tauranga offers international students the experiences of a bustling city alongside the laid-back lifestyle of a small Kiwi town. 

Tauranga - where business meets beach

Malaysian NZ Aid Scholarship student

Students walking through the streets of Queenstown, New Zealand

Travelling around New Zealand while you study is an exciting experience. But as a student you’re always afraid that you'll starve for weeks after once you’ve spent all your money on travel.

How to save money on travel in New Zealand

US Study Abroad student

Students hiking through tussock covered hills in New Zealand's South Island

Minimalistic travelling was completely new to me before coming to New Zealand. This is how I managed to do it while travelling across New Zealand during the semester break.

Tips for travelling light on a budget

US Study Abroad Student

Walking the Routeburn Track in New Zealand

I am writing this to highlight New Zealand’s wonderful bus system that helped me to travel all across the South Island without ever buying or renting a car.

Getting around New Zealand by bus

Filipino postgraduate diploma student

I would like to share with you some helpful tips I learned as I started living my life here in this beautiful country.

Tips on how to achieve a successful student life

The New Zealand government has introduced a new travel requirement for some visitors and transit passengers, called the NZeTA.

New travel rules for New Zealand

Master in Engineering Management

Here are some of my top tips to help you plan for your trip to study in New Zealand.

How to plan for your arrival

Filipino undergraduate student

Corny title yet it’s nothing but the truth. Becoming president of a city-wide club called Christchurch Educated International Student Association (CEISA) really changed my life in ways that I could never have imagined.

How being president of a club changed my life

Close up of hand writing with pen on paper

I realise that some of you that have read my blog posts may be thinking "Wow what's going on with her spell check?

Spelling tips for New Zealand English

International students at the dinner table at their homestay accommodation

One of the first things that you have to arrange before arriving in New Zealand is a place to stay.

The joys of living in a homestay

student skiing in the South Island of New Zealand

Prepare yourself for the honest to goodness truth: I regret studying abroad in New Zealand... but not for the reason you might think. Hear me out.

Why I almost regret studying in New Zealand

A former international student in New Zealand taught Japanese children to perform a haka to welcome the All Blacks to Japan.

Teaching haka in Japan

Many people asked me “Why New Zealand?” when I told them where I was studying abroad. I never knew how to give them a straightforward answer without leaving out any important details. 

5 reasons why I chose to study in New Zealand

international students walking on Banks Peninsula in New Zealand

When I first looked into study abroad options, I was facing a map with countless virtual pushpins, each representing a possible destination I could spend a semester studying in. It was overwhelming. How do I choose a continent, much less one specific city within a country?

Studying abroad: New Zealand vs Europe

International Marketing Executive at Massey University

Aerial view of Palmerston North city centre

Often referred to as ‘Palmy’, Palmerston North is a great destination for students wanting to experience the ‘Kiwi’ way of life.

Palmerston North – a real 'Kiwi' student city

Chinese Masters Student

punting on the River Avon in Christchurch New Zealand

There are not many big cities in New Zealand, but in the South Island, there’s one big city you will not want to miss, Christchurch. I want to praise this city in so many ways because it has me feel like it's my second hometown.

Laid back lifestyle with character in Christchurch

Study Abroad student from the United States

When I went to New Zealand, I couldn’t believe the amount of espresso machines scattered throughout the country.

Coffee culture in New Zealand

international students buying vegetables and the local market in Dunedin

The cost of living in New Zealand is similar to many other OECD countries. Our cities compare favourably with other major cities around the world.

5 ways to cut your living costs while you study in New Zealand

Muslim student Arina Aizal outside the mosque in Dunedin

Kia Ora and Assalamualaikum (peace be upon you)!

Being a muslim student in New Zealand

a large pou with a carved tiki and other Māori sculptures in a garden

While studying abroad at Otago University in Dunedin, New Zealand, I had the wonderful opportunity of experiencing and learning about the indigenous/Māori culture.

3 things the world could learn from Māori culture

Chinese Undergraduate Student

As an international student, I know it is not an easy thing to live abroad. You need to take care of yourself and manage your time and your own money.

How much money do I need to live in Auckland?

US Study Abroad Scholarship Student

Family holidaying at a Kiwi bach in New Zealand

In a Kiwi accent: “New Zealand. Such a sweet as place bro. I’m so gutted that I have to head back to the states soon. The sheep might be blocking the runway again, eh? Cheers!”

The ultimate guide to Kiwi slang and mannerisms

Canadian Study Abroad Student

When I share my NZ experience I always say, “New Zealand, New Me.” I loved the person I became on my study abroad. I was independent, meeting new people, travelling to new places and truly living my best life!

New Zealand, new me

Bachelor's student

International student studying in a cafe in Auckland

It’s Feb 21st, 2019. In just 3 days, I will be moving to my accommodation at the University of Auckland.

Moving in to university accommodation

Tanzanian PhD Student

I would recommend any international student, especially one who’s never been too far from home to stay with a homestay family in the initial periods of their stay.

A home away from home

Filipino Diploma Student

Believe in the power of your own feet – they will take you to places near and far.

Fun things to do in and around Auckland

During my time in New Zealand, I lived in Auckland City. Auckland is the biggest city in New Zealand, therefore, tends to be more expensive than other places. Over my semester living in the City, I discovered a few tricks to save a little money here and there.

Cheap hacks for living in Auckland

US study abroad student

International student sits in the mountains in New Zealand

10 funky differences between the US and NZ

Mt Cook is New Zealand's highest mountain

Kevin and his friends chose the perfect weekend to explore the mighty Mt Cook, discovering the beauty that New Zealand has to offer.

A weekend exploring Mt Cook

Master of Development Studies student

A flat white served with a chocolate fish, and a takeaway coffee cup with the Wellington harbour in the background. 

I have a soft spot for quirky little cafes and good coffee, so falling in love with this city was easy.

Wellington coffee culture

Blog author Sophie standing in front of a snow covered mountain in New Zealand.

I moved over to New Zealand from the United States in the first week of July and was shocked by the beautiful views throughout the country! The friendly atmosphere made me feel at home, however there were 5 things I wish I brought to NZ with me.

5 things I wish I'd brought to New Zealand with me

Digital Content Manager

An international student gardening at his homestay in New Zealand.

Life in lockdown can be a struggle. It’s important to balance your studies with other activities to keep yourself motivated and look after your mental health. Check out some of the things students around New Zealand are doing during lockdown!

7 inspiring things students are doing during lockdown

Birds-eye-view of cafe table top with laptop, coffees, cake and windsurfing brochure.

No matter where my travels take me, whether it’s much too early Chemistry classes or warm Thursday morning drives to the beach, there is always one thing on my mind – coffee.

What I love about Dunedin coffee culture

Secondary school student from Thailand

Three students are preparing a meal together in their shared house in New Zealand.

Looking for accommodation? Students share their top tips on how to find accommodation while studying in New Zealand.

Tips on finding student accommodation

Austrian English language student

After finishing my studies I travelled around New Zealand. There were so many great places to explore that I decided to create the following maps of the North and South Islands to help show other people where to find things they are looking for in a very simple way.

My maps of New Zealand

birds-eye view of a table laden with New Zealand lamb, radishes and barbequed corn on the cob

New Zealand’s produce reflects on its 100% pure motto.

New Zealand food and local produce

Venezuelan-Ecuadorian Masters Student

Before I came to New Zealand, I didn't know what to expect from Hamilton. I felt as if I were going to the land of the unknown. Nevertheless, I was ready to begin the adventure of my life.

Studying in Hamilton as a Latin American Student

Couple holding hands in Rotorua's redwood forest

One of my dreams is to live in a place where there is no discrimination and judgment. 

No ordinary country, no ordinary love!

Melanie standing in a blossoming cherry tree field

I consider Rotorua to be a town of a thousand rainbows – literally and figuratively. I have never seen a place where rainbows appear almost every day after the sky pours down its blessings.

My first winter in a town of a thousand rainbows

A student and one of his Māori hosts hongi inside a marae

Māori are the indigenous people of New Zealand and make up around 14% of the population. Their history, language, and traditions are central to New Zealand’s identity.

Learning about Māori Culture

Lebanese PhD student

A kiwi-ism is something New Zealanders typically do or say or a fun fact that’s unique to New Zealand.

Kiwi-isms every international student should know

Students relaxing in the sun at a bach (beach house)

New Zealand is an absolutely beautiful country, but there are some things you should know if you plan to study here.

9 things you should know about New Zealand

Study Abroad student

A group of students takes a break while on a hiking trip in New Zealand mountains.

Coming from a small town back home, Leah was pleased to find a sense of community in Christchurch city.

What New Zealand has taught me about community

Students hiking in the mountains in New Zealand 

Studying in New Zealand is the perfect opportunity to explore the great outdoors. New Zealand boasts countless trails and tracks, including its nine famous “Great Walks”, a group of popular multi-day tramping trails.

Essential tips and items for a tramping trip in New Zealand

Australian undergraduate student

A key part of the bubbly and progressive Lincoln University is the people.

Life at Lincoln University

Students walk across an overbridge inside Auckland's Britomart train terminal. 

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine transportation would become the biggest challenge I would face in New Zealand.

Tips on adjusting to public transport

Iranian Undergraduate Student

Students hiking in the mountains in New Zealand

Tramping through Fiordland for a couple of nights with my team from the Otago University Tramping Club (OUTC) was severely moist, soggy, and every other wet word in every language you could imagine.

Tramping in Fiordland in New Zealand

International students on a biking adventure in the mountains of Queenstown, New Zealand. 

Moving away from home to study overseas was overwhelmingly scary for me. At that point, I had never even gone on vacations that had taken me over my country’s borders before, so heading to the end of the globe on my own for five years was unthinkable.

The big move

Vietnamese ASEAN Scholar Award Winner 2013

You are going to study and live in New Zealand for the next one month, one year, or more. It’s time for you to pack your luggage for your trip.

Lifestyle