A destination surfacing in the popularity chart among international students is an English speaking nation famous for its amazing scenery, sporting achievements and hospitable people: New Zealand [Images].

Recent statistics show that New Zealand's international education sector generated nearly $2 billion (Rs 80 billion) in foreign exchange earnings in 2005. In that year, approximately 98,000 foreign-fee-paying students from more than 150 countries studied, out of which more than 80% students were from Asia.

It is indeed a great country increasingly being recognised for its excellent study opportunities. But, in spite of surveys, statistical analysis and other approaches, a few questions still irk students:

~ Why should I go to New Zealand in the first place when I have everything in India?

This is mainly because no one pays you in dollars in India. Let's be honest and accept the fact. Almost 90% of the queries every Educational Consultant face are about the job prospects after a course. New Zealand, being a emerging nation offers, lucrative careers.  

Furthermore, an advanced nation allows more opportunities in quality of life by the sheer fact that the infrastructure is better and negative factors like corruption, pollution, etc are less compared to developing nations. The assurance of essential services like power, water, transportation, etc ensures the quality of life stays on an even level.

~ If study is the only option to settle, why should I choose New Zealand?

Well, what do you really want when you decide to study abroad? We think you want the following: 

• Good quality of education and living standard in an advanced, English speaking country.
• Being able to work part-time while studying to support oneself for living expenses without having to call parents every month.
• Student friendly policies to seek jobs after studies and get a permanent residency (green card).
• Safety in terms of racism and crime and a good economic landscape to find permanent jobs.

One needs to keep it mind that when one decides to study abroad, he makes a huge investment in terms of money, time, effort and emotions. It needs to be ensured that the real reward for all this is by securing a satisfying career preferably at the international level.

No one pursues expensive studies aboard to only come back with a fancy certificate to hang on the wall. Studies should become a pathway into a career in the country where one has studied and this should translate into good dollar earnings and lifestyle. Do not compromise on this.

With this objective, making the right choice is always a difficult task when one has many options to choose from like the US, UK, Canada [Images], Australia and New Zealand. But the real fact is that New Zealand offers you A,B,C,D above and all the advantages of the other countries.

What's more it has the least unemployment in the developed world, is the least corrupt country in the world, has no terrorist issues, is fresh and innovative as a young nation and truly is like heaven on earth with its beautiful landscape.

~ What are the chances of getting a New Zealand Student visa after X months of preparation?

A common story that goes around among students is the mood of the visa officer. Never has anyone heard about or seen a nice, decent and smiling visa officer. No one even fancies meeting them. Let us imagine a much talked about scenario about visa officers:

"A visa officer wakes up in the morning and fights with his wife before coming to work. He decides to take out all his anger on the first three students and you are one of the three. It's a nightmare for you. You fall prey to the bad mood of the visa officer."

In case of New Zealand, the scenario is a bit different. If a candidate has positive profile, New Zealand immigration officers make a rational judgment rather than a whimsical decision based on his 'mood'. In most cases one does not have to appear for a personal interview rather it would only be a telephonic interview which can even be at your convenience.

~ Can I earn enough to take care of my living expenses while studying in New Zealand?

A serious issue which is of immense importance among aspiring students is provided below:

This is how much you can earn while you are a student in New Zealand:

There are 48 weeks in the year (12 months X 4 weeks). Out of these, for 42 weeks you can work 20 hours per week and 40 hours for the rest of the 6 weeks. These 6 weeks are normally the Christmas and New Year vacation. The minimum wage in New Zealand right now is $11.25 per hour. Anyway here is the calculation of your earning:

42 weeks X 20 hours X $11.25 = $9450
  6 weeks X 40 hours X $11.25 = $2700

Total earning in the year = $12150

Total earning per month = $1013 = Rs30,000 approximately

Now there's bad news for you�the expenses per month:

Rent   = $350 (If you are sharing a flat with a couple of friends)
Food   =  $50 (Yes, provisions are very cheap and won't cost more than this)
Travel =  $50 (You can get student discount on travel)
Phone =  $50 (Use SMS more than voice to save more)
Misc   = $100 (Girlfriend/boyfriend, etc.)
Tax    = $200 (You can't escape it)

Total expense per month = $800 = Rs 24,000 approximately

This gives you a outline about how much you can earn enough to live quite comfortably while studying. The balance $200 can perhaps be used to pay the interest if you have taken a student loan in India.

~ What happens after I complete my course? Will I have to come back to India?

In case you are worried about this question. The answer is a big emphatic no. You don't have to come back to India if you have successfully completed your studies in New Zealand. You become eligible for a guaranteed 12 months job search visa.

This visa allows you to stay in New Zealand and work full time in any job. But the important thing is that in this timeframe you have to find a job relevant to the course you just completed. Once you secure this you can apply for a longer work permit which is generally issued for 2 years.

~ In summary

Work hard and play harder is the lifestyle choice of many international students in New Zealand. If you are looking for world-class education and training, and also want new experiences, fun, a relaxed lifestyle and a safe and healthy environment, then you should consider New Zealand as your ideal study destination.

Chat with Raj Ganguly, overseas education consultant, about New Zealand education on November 8 at 2 pm.