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Embrace new opportunities for growth with Education New Zealand

Published by Afterschool.my on Apr 06, 2023, 03:44 pm

Aotearoa New Zealand is quickly rising in popularity as a premier overseas study destination. With its eight universities ranking in the top two percent globally according to the QS World University Ranking 2023, New Zealand offers a world-class education with promising career opportunities.

More and more students are discovering the unique experiences that come with being a New Zealand graduate. This stems from the country’s unparalleled approach to education. 

Experience a multicultural and inclusive learning environment that broadens your worldview.

Education New Zealand’s (ENZ) regional director for Asia, Ben Burrows, explains how the agency’s close relations with other government departments create an environment where international students can flourish. 

He says, “We have developed a unique approach to education that moves beyond personal academic achievement and focuses on longer-term outcomes, such as developing life skills and cultural competence to prepare our students to become global citizens.”

New Zealand is one of the safest countries in the world, ranking second on the Global Peace Index 2022 for its low crime rates and low presence of dangerous wildlife. The people are also remarkably warm and friendly, ensuring international students always feel welcome even while away from home.

Another popular appeal of the country is that it exposes you to a variety of rich and friendly cultures including New Zealand’s indigenous Maori people, who exemplify positivity with their can-do attitude. It is a great opportunity for Malaysian students to gain an international perspective that allows them to think both critically and creatively.

Financial aid through scholarships is also readily available. These include the 1,100 Manaaki New Zealand scholarships that are offered to international students from 112 eligible countries (including Malaysia) and other scholarships available through education providers in New Zealand. In addition, New Zealand students can also learn about other countries and cultures through the Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia and Latin America.

Supporting international students

ENZ dedicates its efforts towards pushing the country’s world-class tertiary education towards global recognition. In pursuit of that goal, it has built a strong support system for its international students. 

New Zealand’s eight universities are committed to supporting its international students.

Furthermore, New Zealand universities take great effort in addressing the needs of international students, with many actionable plans in place. Ben Burrows states that these initiatives are overseen by The New Zealand Pastoral Care of International Students Code of Practice to ensure all international students are properly cared for.

The code of practice encourages educational institutions to adopt student welfare strategies such as well-being and safety support systems and promoting physical and mental health awareness. Relevant information about accommodation, insurance and visa applications is also made readily available to students via university websites. 

He also highlights a survey conducted by Education New Zealand in 2021, which found that 85% of international students rated their student experience in New Zealand positively and 81% would recommend the country as a study destination.

An all-inclusive community

Pushing out of your comfort zone and adapting to a new lifestyle can be challenging, especially when studying in a foreign country far away from the comforts of home and loved ones. To help international students find their community, the universities of New Zealand have set up many avenues for international students to find the social support they need to fully adjust to their new environment. 

Students can build fulfilling friendships and welcoming communities while studying in New Zealand.

One way Malaysian students can meet other students is through the many extracurricular activities offered by the universities. For example, the University of Canterbury hosts over 180 clubs for international students to bond over shared interests. 

Universities such as the University of Canterbury, Lincoln University and Victoria University of Wellington have their own dedicated Malaysian student associations, allowing students to always have a sense of familiarity when they connect with fellow Malaysians in this new ‘home away from home’. 

Experience hands-on learning

New Zealand also provides unique opportunities to gain strong practical skills through its vocational education which focuses on training students to tackle real-world problems.

The Government’s Reform of Vocational Learning (RoVE) has since merged New Zealand’s vocational education system under Te Pukenga. This effort witnessed sixteen institutes of technology and polytechnics and nine industry training organisations unified to help cultivate skills that learners, employers and communities need to thrive in the modern world.

Students can accumulate valuable work experience during their time in New Zealand.

One of the core principles of Te Pukenga is the dedication towards delivering a learner experience relevant to international and domestic students alike. Designed in partnership with the indigenous Maori people, students get to experience a culturally-rewarding environment that encourages them to view practical and social problems from a new perspective.

The addition of Te Pukenga means international students benefit from a great deal of flexibility when it comes to studying options such as on-campus, onshore, offshore, online and work-based learning.

Excellent career opportunities

Those looking to gain international work experience will find that New Zealand has many job opportunities for Malaysian students both during and after your studies.

Many tertiary students studying full time in New Zealand will have the option to work part time up to 20 hours per week during term time. Some longer-term students will also have the ability to work full-time during scheduled holidays.  This allows students to put what they’ve learnt in the classroom into practice in the work environment. 

Graduates of Bachelor, Masters and Doctoral degrees, and Post Graduate Diploma graduates are eligible for a post study work visa that allows work for any employer. The length of this visa depends on the time spent studying in New Zealand

Students completing their study below degree-level are also able to gain a post study work visa specific to that occupation if their field of study is on the list of eligible qualifications.

If you are interested in pursuing further studies in New Zealand, find out more about Education New Zealand here.

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