Life as a Brazilian Student in New Zealand | Study with New Zealand

In 2016, in her hometown Sao Paulo, Jennifer embarked on a three-month English language course. Determined to improve her English even more, she decided to continue her education here in New Zealand. Back in Brazil, Jennifer had studied Marketing and Advertising and worked in the advertising industry. It made perfect sense for her to deepen her knowledge and specialise in that field. This led her to enrol at New Zealand Institute of Education in Takapuna, Auckland for a one-year Digital Marketing course where she gained a Level 7 Diploma.

When she first arrived in New Zealand, Jennifer didn’t have any expectations about what the language course would bring and was stoked to see how much more she gained beyond just improving her English. She especially appreciated the open minds, hospitality, and friendliness of New Zealanders but also the connections she formed with people from all over the world. Never had she imagined having friends in Japan, China, Dubai or Colombia.

Working part-time at a bar to earn extra money enabled her to get so much better at English as well as connect with Kiwis in a working environment.

With the extra cash she was able to do trips and explore the country, which she absolutely loved. It was then, that she realised she would like to stay longer and extend her education journey in New Zealand.

Jennifer had high hopes for her Digital Marketing course. She knew the subject well and was eager for some world-class education. A friend had recommended the course, but Jennifer was unprepared for how different the education system was compared to Brazil.

she admitted.

She quickly realised that the course was heavily based on self-learning, which made her question if she was ready for such an approach. However, she found this method intriguing as it pushed her boundaries in a positive way.

'People here are very friendly and supportive,' she noted.

A major factor in her swift adaptation to the new teaching and learning styles was the support from her teachers.

Jennifer began her Digital Marketing course just weeks before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, adding an extra layer of challenge. Classes shifted online, and much of the work involved independent study, writing, and self-assessment. As someone for whom English is a second language, she sometimes doubted her writing skills. However, all the writing she did during that time significantly improved her language abilities.

At first, Jennifer's days were packed with studying. She was studying full-time for both her English course and her Digital Marketing Diploma. Always striving to exceed her own expectations, she made the most of her opportunity to study in New Zealand.

But weekends were a different story! Jennifer took full advantage of her free time to explore the beautiful regions around Auckland. She visited places like Rotorua, and every weekend was a new adventure. She had a blast exploring New Zealand with other international students, making memories and friends along the way.

When she first arrived, Jennifer started flatting with two other people and rented a place in Auckland, close to the coast. She loved walking to the ocean every day, soaking in the stunning views.

One of her flatmates was from England, which was a great help in improving her English.

She also remembers watching Māori TV together. She found it difficult to learn two languages at once, but she promised herself that she would learn the Māori language later.

Asked about her favourite thing about New Zealand, Jennifer had no hesitation in answering:

‘I always felt really supported. I never felt afraid or scared to ask questions because everyone was learning together. The environment was so nice, and no question was ever considered silly. All questions were valid, which was really reassuring.

The teachers were incredibly friendly and genuinely cared about our well-being. This was a big difference for me. For example, during COVID, if you weren’t feeling mentally well, they understood and offered support. Back home, if you weren’t feeling good, people would just tell you to get over it and do your stuff. Here, it was much more supportive.’

Who better to give money-saving tips than a student who has lived here? We reached out to Jennifer to get her best advice on how to save money as a student.

When Jennifer lived in Auckland, she discovered a great trick: heading to the Asian markets at the end of the day. She could buy a lot of cheap vegetables for very little money, allowing her to cook healthy meals at home. This left her with more cash to spend on her weekend adventures.

Exploring New Zealand was a big part of her experience, and she found it helpful to split petrol costs with her friends. They also opted for budget-friendly accommodations like hostels or campgrounds. Jennifer embraced the Kiwi classic Friday night dinner of Fish & Chips, a new and affordable treat.

Once she started working part-time in a bar, managing her finances became even easier. Not only did she earn money, but she also got to practice and improve her English.

Jennifer felt incredibly supported by her colleagues at work. Despite her initial struggles with English, they offered to pay for a barista course to help her learn how to make coffee and expand her skillset.

she reflects.

When Jennifer began her Level 7 Digital Marketing course at NZIE, her confidence soared. She felt ready to pursue a career in her chosen field.

'When I finished my course, I felt confident. I was like, OK, now I feel ready to apply for the job I really want.'

Jennifer proudly shared her new qualifications with everyone, including her former hospitality employer. She reached out to them and said, 'Hey, I just finished my digital marketing course.' They were already impressed with her bar work and immediately offered her a job in the office. She started applying her newly acquired skills and knowledge, eventually securing a position in marketing.

'New Zealand Education opened all the right doors, and now I have the job that I have today, which is great.'

Jennifer’s story is a testament to the power of education and support.

At the end of our chat, we asked Jennifer for her top tip to make the most out of studying in Aotearoa (the Māori word for New Zealand).

‘Talk with people and don’t be scared to ask questions. People here are really friendly and keen to help. Sometimes they even invite you into their homes which is a huge privilege. Go and explore. Take the bus, go to the beach, and really immerse yourself – that way you will find out how amazing New Zealand and its people are.’