Study in New Zealand
New Zealand is a nature-lover’s paradise: over one-third of the country is a protected national park and no matter where you are in the country, you’re never more than 80 miles from the ocean. Welcome to the land of the Kiwis!
“ It was an amazing experience in so many ways. I went from living in the Chicago suburbs to living on a small farm in a small town as part of a very large family that was very different than my own, but treated me as one of their own from the minute I walked off the plane. Since my exchange I have continued to travel the world and know that I would not be nearly as adventurous as I am if I had not gone to New Zealand.”
-Amy
+ More About New Zealand
Kiwis, wallabies, and sheep, oh my! Though it is only about the size of Colorado, there are more than nine sheep for each person in New Zealand! Of course, there’s more to New Zealand than sheep — New Zealand is also known for its diverse people and spectacular landscapes. Like nature? Visiting New Zealand is the best way to experience the glaciers, mountains, plains, subtropical forest, volcanic plateau, and of course, miles of coastline!
In 2010, the UN ranked New Zealand the third best country in the world to live! In New Zealand, you will live with a host family. While overseas, you’ll certainly eat well — the cuisine is celebrated worldwide. Get excited about enjoying the national dessert, pavlova, a meringue cake with fresh whipped cream and topped with fresh fruit or berries. Don’t worry too much about over-eating though: the people of New Zealand typically enjoy many sports and outdoor activities. Rugby is a national passion for the people of New Zealand. The people of New Zealand cheer for the All Blacks, the national rugby team.
Interested in politics or human rights? New Zealand was the first country to have universal suffrage, which was established in 1893. New Zealand has also been ranked third in personal freedom worldwide. New Zealand is home to diverse cultural groups, including the native Maori peoples.
Education in New Zealand is free and compulsory from the ages of six to sixteen. However, many students continue their education for a full thirteen years. Students study many subjects in order to prepare for the NCEA, or National Certificate of Educational Achievement. Students must successfully complete internal and external assessments to gain the credits necessary to receive a NCEA. New Zealand’s education was ranked first in the world by the British Legatum Institute.
Come experience for yourself the beauty and adventure of New Zealand!
Pastimes
Horseback riding, football, tennis, cricket, hiking, wind surfing, and water sports.
Online Resources
To learn even more about New Zealand, we recommend looking at these websites:
- Embassy of New Zealand website
- Tourism in New Zealand website
+ Scholarships Available
Scholarships for 2020 programs have not yet been confirmed. Applications for 2020 Summer/Fall scholarships will open in the Fall of 2019. The YFU Financial Aid Fund can be applied to any program and will remain available for 2020 Spring programs until September 15. The YFU Legacy Grant can be applied to any program at any time of application. For more details on the Financial Aid Fund, Legacy Grant, and previous merit-based scholarships please visit our scholarships page.
Learn more about scholarship details and deadlines.
+ Programs & Tuition
Australia & New Zealand Fall Semester Combination: $19,995
Australia & New Zealand Spring Semester Combination: $19,995
Fall Trimester: $17,995
Spring Trimester: $17,995
Summer Trimester: $17,995
Early Summer: $8,995
Late Summer: $8,995
Applications for tuition based programs must be submitted by October 1 for winter/spring departure programs and March 15 for summer and fall. Applications submitted after this date will be considered on a case by case basis depending upon availability.
+ Additional Information
Visa Information
Information regarding visas and other immigration processes will be provided upon enrollment. Note: Students on the Combination semester program will need to obtain visas for both countries.
Additional Costs
Textbooks, uniforms if required, special school subject fees, extracurricular activities and excursions, school lunches, and transportation to school are not included in the tuition and vary depending on where students are placed. Students are also responsible for covering any fees related to obtaining a visa. Host families provide the same care and support as they would for their own child but are not responsible for costs related to entertainment, leisure activities, or other personal expenses/ spending money.
Choose Your Program
+ Academic Semester Australia & New Zealand Combination Programs
Do you want to experience local life and culture in both Australia and New Zealand? Now you can! Students who participate in the Academic Semester Combination Program will spend 10 weeks living in each country, while living with local host families and attending public or private high school.
This 5 month program offers a Spring or Fall departure. The Spring Program begins in late Jan./early Feb. in Australia and then immediately follows with a stay in New Zealand from early April to mid June. The Fall Program takes place in Australia from mid July to mid Sept. and then moves to New Zealand until late November. Students may be placed in any part of either country and may have the option to receive reports for their time in school.
Age Requirement
Students must be at least 15 years old on arrival in New Zealand and no more than 18 years 9 months by departure. Spring Trimester Program: July 17, 2000 – Feb. 2, 2004; Spring Semester Australia/New Zealand Program: Sept. 15, 2000 – Jan. 20, 2004; Early Summer Program: Oct. 13, 2000 – June 1, 2004; Late Summer Program: Nov. 17, 2000 – July 6, 2004; Summer Trimester Program: Nov. 24, 2000 – June 1, 2004; Fall Trimester Program: Jan. 12, 2001 – July 20, 2004; Fall Semester Australia/New Zealand Program: Feb. 23, 2001 – July 10, 2004
Language
English. Although there will not be a language barrier, you will learn the unique New Zealand lingo and maybe even pick up some Maori!
Host Family Placement
Placements can be in all states and in urban, suburban, small town or rural areas.
| PROGRAM | CODE | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester Combination | 1628 | mid July | late November | $19,995 |
| Spring Semester Combination | 1627 | late January | mid June | $19,995 |
Tuition Includes
- Placement with a host family
- Enrollment in a local high school
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel (including flights between Sydney and New Zealand in the Combination Program)
- All pre-departure and post arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from a local volunteer while on program
- Medical and travel insurance
+ Academic Trimester Programs
As a trimester exchange student to New Zealand, you will live with a local host family for 3 months and truly be immersed in the culture.
Trimester programs are offered in the Spring (Feb.-April), Summer (June-Aug.), and Fall (July-Oct.). YFU may also be able to arrange alternate program dates or shorter stays- Please contact YFU early to inquire about these potential options and other flexibility.
School
Exchange students will be placed in public or private high schools in the year level and class schedule determined by their host school. Most students will not be placed in the final year of high school and attendance recognition is solely at the discretion of the school to which you are enrolled. Exchange students are expected to actively participate in school. While schools can vary, they follow a national curriculum that includes the following subjects: Arts, English, Health and Physical Education, Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business, Geography, History, Languages, Mathematics, Science, and Technologies.
Orientations
All students will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in November/December (spring programs) or May/June (summer/fall programs.) Additionally, spring trimester and fall trimester students may be able to attend the YFU National Pre-Departure Orientation, a 3-day program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas. After arrival in New Zealand, all students will attend an orientation with their local volunteer coordinator. All orientation costs are included in program tuition.
| PROGRAM | CODE | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Trimester | 1622 | late July | mid October | $17,995 |
| Spring Trimester | 1620 | late February | mid April | $17,995 |
| Summer Trimester | 1621 | early June | mid August | $17,995 |
Tuition Includes
- Placement with a host family
- Enrollment in a local high school
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel (including flights between Sydney and New Zealand in the Combination Program)
- All pre-departure and post arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from a local volunteer while on program
- Medical and travel insurance
+ Summer Programs
Get to know New Zealand up close through a summer immersion program!
You’ll live with a volunteer host family, attend a local public or private high school and engage in the life of your new community over the course of 6 weeks. The summer program offers two start dates, one in early June and the other in early July.
Age Requirement
Students must be at least 15 years old on arrival in New Zealand and no more than 18 years 9 months by departure. Spring Trimester Program: July 17, 2000 – Feb. 2, 2004; Spring Semester Australia/New Zealand Program: Sept. 15, 2000 – Jan. 20, 2004; Early Summer Program: Oct. 13, 2000 – June 1, 2004; Late Summer Program: Nov. 17, 2000 – July 6, 2004; Summer Trimester Program: Nov. 24, 2000 – June 1, 2004; Fall Trimester Program: Jan. 12, 2001 – July 20, 2004; Fall Semester Australia/New Zealand Program: Feb. 23, 2001 – July 10, 2004
Language
English. Although there will not be a language barrier, you will learn the unique New Zealand lingo and maybe even pick up some Maori!
Host Family Placement
Placements can be in all states and in urban, suburban, small town or rural areas.
| PROGRAM | CODE | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Summer | 1625 | early June | mid July | $8,995 |
| Late Summer | 1626 | early June | mid August | $8,995 |
Tuition Includes
- Placement with a host family
- Enrollment in a local high school
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel (including flights between Sydney and New Zealand in the Combination Program)
- All pre-departure and post arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from a local volunteer while on program
- Medical and travel insurance
+ Additional Program Options
Students seeking additional program options besides those listed here should contact YFU to inquire about possibilities. YFU may be able to provide students with 6 month, 9 month, and School Year programs at high schools throughout New Zealand.