Student Life in Auckland and Christchurch

Your time in New Zealand will be full of new experiences and opportunities.

Auckland is close to popular sightseeing destinations in the North Island, including the Bay of Islands, Coromandel, Rotorua and Taupo. Day trips to Piha, the Waitakere ranges and Waiheke Island can involve bush walks, surfing, wine tasting or just sunbathing on a beach. During winter, you can ski at the popular Whakapapa and Turoa resorts in the Central Plateau region.

There are lots of beaches close to the city centre. Takapuna, Cheltenham, St Heliers and Mission Bay are popular places for water sports, swimming, sunbathing and relaxing in the many cafés and restaurants.

Christchurch is smaller than Auckland, with a green and elegant city centre. You can take day trips to the beautiful little town of Akaroa, where you can see seals, dolphins and penguins, or to Hanmer Springs for hot pools, jet boating or bungy jumping. You can also travel to the Southern Alps for activities such as white-water rafting and hiking in the summer, skiing and snowboarding in the winter.

Christchurch also has great sandy beaches, where you can go surfing or windsurfing. In the city centre, enjoy sightseeing, eating out, shopping or visiting the clubs and pubs.

Click on the menu to the left to see comments from our former students and more information on living in New Zealand. You can also see what it is like to live in a Kiwi (New Zealand) homestay family, student residence and serviced apartment.

Your First Day

On your first Monday, please come to our reception at around 08.45. If you are in a homestay, your host family will help you to come to school.

After a placement test and interview, you have an orientation with one of our foreign language counsellors. They tell you about your classes and the school facilities, and give you some advice on how to get the most out of your New Zealand experience. They talk to you about life here, including using the buses and opening a bank account. You also have a guided tour of the school and surrounding areas.

Our foreign language counsellors are also available in future weeks to answer any questions you may have.

In the afternoon, we talk to you about your classes, the Learning Centre and the Social Programme. Your classes begin on the Tuesday.