New Zealand

1. The People are Amazing

An excursion with friends to the Taranaki region of New Zealand. In front, our Kiwi mate leads the way!It’s not an exaggeration to say that New Zealanders (Kiwis) might be the nicest population of people in the world. You’ll experience this from the moment you land in New Zealand for your summer or semester abroad. Take this student story:

“My luggage was lost for the first week upon my arrival. Visibly upset, I was immediately welcomed into the student exchange office at Victoria University of Wellington, where the staff was more than helpful in dealing with the situation. Throughout the semester, I came to realize that this hospitality is not limited to my university faculty; rather, it is an attitude that governs the Kiwi way of life.”

Be prepared to be wow’d by the generous, laidback, adventure-hungry Kiwis while studying abroad in New Zealand!

2. You’ll Get Out of Your Comfort Zone… Comfortably 

Your study abroad program in New Zealand will likely be the first time you live alone outside of the country. Don’t get us wrong—it can be nerve-wracking at first. But the feelings will quickly fade, as you soon come to realize that the culture shock you’ll experience is relatively mild. This is a perfect destination for someone who wants to study abroad far from home, yet may not be ready for an extreme culture shock or adjustment period to life abroad. With that said, studying abroad in New Zealand allows for just the right amount of cultural differences without being overwhelming. 

3. Everything is Photogenic. EVERYTHING!

The mighty Queenstown harbor—The perfect spot for some adventure!

In its neighbor…*cough, cough Australia*. Just be warned: Kea birds are smarter than they look—and you probably aren’t going to spot a moa.

4. Innovative and Engaging Classroom Environment

The geographic location of New Zealand is another major bonus if you’re looking to do some traveling during your time abroad. New Zealand acts as a gateway to other destinations throughout the entire Pacific region as well as a jumping off point to the nearby Asian continent. And because of its proximity to its Pacific and Asian counterparts, there is an abundance of cultural diversity present within this little island nation. 

Or maybe you didn’t come to study in New Zealand to jump ship every weekend! Luckily for you, the islands have plenty to keep even the most adventurous student satisfied. The size of the country is convenient if you’re looking to cover a lot of ground during your time abroad. Many students can check off their “Study in New Zealand Bucket List”—on both islands—in two weeks or less! How’s that for ease of getting around?!

5. You Can Study at World-Renowned Universities  

A major benefit to selecting New Zealand as YOUR study abroad destination is not only that you will have endless things to explore, but more importantly, you will likely be studying in New Zealand at a world-renowned university. What’s really great is that all of the courses are taught in English—there are an abundance of course options made available to you for most any major. In addition to this, you have several options when it comes to choosing a university that works best for you. Whether you’re looking to study in a large, bustling city versus a smaller, more student-run community, the university choices in New Zealand are diverse. 

6. Your Resume Will Shine

Maximize your time in New Zealand by enriching your resume and building professional relationships through a host university internship course OR a full-time internship. An internship through select universities allows you to take a internship course alongside other academic subjects, whereas a full-time internship presents the opportunity for you to commit the vast majority of your time to growing your professional skills. Either way, what better way to put your skills to test by interning at an organization that suits your academic and professional needs and can serve as an excellent resume builder that goes beyond the traditional classroom setting.