New Zealand is a land of awe-inspiring landscapes, rugged mountains, active volcanoes, rolling green pastures, and rare wildlife. But it isn't just the tourists who enjoy the spectacular scenery that New Zealand has to offer; these unique features also get put to good use by students to further their experience and knowledge of a wide range of subjects.

Studying in New Zealand is a 'very hands-on' experience for most. Whether they're researching a doctoral thesis, training to become an outdoor adventure leader, or hoping to understand and predict natural disasters, they can enhance their studies in New Zealand with real-life experiences.

For students specializing in geology or environmental studies, New Zealand is the ideal place to get their hands dirty. The country has several active volcanoes, underground geothermal areas, low-lying glaciers, and is situated on the border of two tectonic plates. This allows for some unique research opportunities. Over one-third of New Zealand's area is protected parkland or forest, so it's easy to access natural areas without having to stray far from educational facilities or urban conveniences.

New Zealand's remoteness also makes it a great place to study protected wildlife, with populations of penguin, albatross, the world's only alpine parrot - the kea - and the world's heaviest insect, the giant weta. For international student Jennifer Anne Moore, a prehistoric lizard called the Tuatara was the draw card. "There is no other place in the world where Tuatara occur, so it only made sense to come to this fantastic country to study these amazing animals!" says Jennifer. "My field work is on Stephens Island, in the Marlborough Sounds. It's an amazing nature reserve that holds the largest population of tuatara in the world."

New Zealand is also famous for being an adventure-lover's playground. The rugged but accessible landscape makes it a must-do for hikers, mountaineers, kayakers, surfers, skiers, mountain bikers, and of course bungy jumpers! For some, the great recreational activities in New Zealand are just a bonus of studying here. For others, the recreational activities are a key element in their studies.

Matt Harris chose New Zealand for his studies in Outdoor Recreational Leadership because of the great opportunities to put his learning into practice. Already, he's assisting teaching people of all ages and abilities rock-climbing, white-water kayaking and mountain-biking in New Zealand's outstanding natural terrain. "It's amazing what these people get from their experiences," says Matt. "Along with a strong sense of adventure, they learn teamwork, trust and confidence and they often make a bunch of new friends. It's personally rewarding for them and also for me, as their trainer."

Everything from a certificate to a postgraduate degree can be obtained in the field of outdoor recreation in New Zealand. Studying in a country renowned for adventurous outdoor experiences is ideal for students who want a piece of the action. In addition to more general qualifications, students in New Zealand can become qualified as skydiving, scuba diving, and skiing or snowboarding instructors, to name just a few.
Agriculture has always been the backbone of New Zealand's economy, so it's no surprise that a lot of great agricultural training and research is based there. Programs focus on diverse subjects including forestry, farm management, biotechnology, horticulture and viticulture (grape-growing).

For doctoral student Serkan Ates, however, it was the opportunity to study grass (for grazing pastures) that brought him to New Zealand. "New Zealand is probably considered one of the most advanced countries in the pastoral sector," Serkan explains. "I believe my New Zealand education will give me enough confidence to deal with complicated agricultural and pastoral problems and knowledge to provide solutions."

All of New Zealand's eight universities are research-based, which give students at every level of the system an opportunity to do real work in their fields. The educational system in New Zealand also encourages students to think for themselves, rather than memorize and repeat what their lecturers say. Discussion, debate and innovation result in some great new ideas coming out of New Zealand schools.
Along with the eight universities, New Zealand has 21 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics around the country offering practical courses which lead to certificates, diplomas and degrees in a number of subjects. Often their courses include the opportunity to get valuable work experience as part of their programs. This gives students skills that just can't be learned in the classroom.

Hundreds of private training providers round out the options for students, with courses that lead directly to careers in fields like IT, business, travel and hospitality.

New Zealand has a national quality assurance system, called the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). This ensures that students taking courses in New Zealand are consistently getting a great education that can be transferred to other schools around the world and is recognized by potential employers. This makes it easy to complete an entire degree in New Zealand or just a few specialized courses as part of a semester abroad.

The small population of New Zealand also means that class sizes tend to be smaller, allowing students more personal attention from lecturers and tutors. The small classes, along with the emphasis on discussion and participation in class, mean that students from overseas get to know their classmates quickly and make friends easily.

Leisure time is important to New Zealanders, so students are likely to have a lot of fun while they're in the country. That balance of great education and memorable experiences is what makes New Zealand such a popular place to study.

Studying in New Zealand, whether for a few months or a few years, is an experience that international students treasure for the rest of their lives. You may get your hands a bit dirty, but you'll also get a chance to participate in practical training and research to help launch your career.

Contributed by:

Michelle Waitzman
Communications Specialist
Education New Zealand
www.newzealandeducated.com

Helpful websites:
Student Visas: New Zealand Immigration Service  www.immigration.govt.nz 
Qualifications: New Zealand Qualifications Authority www.nzqa.govt.nz

 
Your GoStudy Team
www.gostudy.ca