International standards, competitive costs and a cosmopolitan culture make New Zealand an ideal study destination for Indian students.
While Australia has tightened the noose around overseas students, its immediate neighbour New Zealand has thrown open its doors to them. As per the Kiwi Immigration Act, it has become much easier now for an overseas student to stay on in New Zealand after higher studies and work. Hence, there are at present more than 1,00,000 international students studying in the country. And while 75 per cent are from the Asia Pacific region, over 3,000 students are Indians. With the easing of regulations, the number is witnessing a major upswing every day.
So what makes New Zealand a dream destination?
Quality education at comparable prices is the rationale behind New Zealand's popularity. Denied the first mover advantage of the US or the psychological proximity of other destinations like the UK or Australia, New Zealand's lure is attractive immigration norms combined with an education offer that has an international edge, since it is priced at highly competitive costs. As the New Zealand dollar (NZ$) equals around Rs 28 only, the cost of most programmes in Kiwi land is 10-12 per cent cheaper than those in countries like the US and UK.
Moreover, New Zealand degrees are patterned on the lines of the British education system. Hence, there is a lot in common between the education system in New Zealand and India. Students are taught in an English-speaking environment and earn global degrees. To top it all, state-of-the-art facilities, a safe environment and a fine student support system add to the country's multiracial, multicultural warmth.