Sanya studied abroad in New Zealand

Sanya from Germany went on exchange to New Zealand.

Hi, I’m Sanya. I was 16 years old when I left Germany to spend six months on exchange in New Zealand. Standing at the airport, saying goodbye to my family, I felt excited and terrified at the same time. I had no idea that this decision would change me forever.

My Welcome Camp in Auckland

My journey began with a Welcome Camp in Auckland, and it couldn’t have been a better start. Surrounded by other exchange students from all over the world, I realized I wasn’t alone in feeling nervous. Together, we explored the city, shared our stories and slowly turned strangers into friends. That camp helped me arrive – not just in New Zealand, but in this new chapter of my life. It gave me confidence before I even met my host family.

Arriving in Christchurch

After the camp, I flew to Christchurch, the city that would become my home. From the first moment, it felt calm and welcoming. Parks, rivers, and open spaces gave me room to breathe and settle in. My host family welcomed me with warmth and patience, and soon their home felt like my home. At the dinner table, cultures blended, and I learned that belonging isn’t about where you’re from – it’s about how open you are.

School life

School life in Christchurch was completely different from in Germany. Teachers felt approachable, and learning felt more relaxed. I learned that confidence grows when you stop being afraid of making mistakes.

Discovering New Zealand and myself

One of the most unforgettable parts of my exchange were the many trips I got to experience. I traveled through New Zealand, discovering beaches, mountains, small towns, and breathtaking nature. Each trip showed me a new side of the country – and a new side of myself. I learned to adapt, to be independent, and to enjoy moments far outside my comfort zone. I found a lot of friends and found a second home in New Zealand. It was the perfect place for me.

When my six months came to an end and I returned to Germany, I wasn’t the same person who had left. I came back with confidence, independence, unforgettable memories, and friendships from all over the world. The world felt bigger – and so did my dreams. An exchange is more than just traveling. It’s about growing, learning, and discovering who you are. And for me, six months in New Zealand were the beginning of a lifelong journey.

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Philipp chose to study in New Zealand

Kia Ora!* I’m Philipp, 16 years old, born and raised in Vienna, Austria. Currently, I’m on my exchange year in Auckland, New Zealand.

My journey to New Zealand

The flight was exhausting, almost 2 days, flying to the other side of the world takes its time. It was great not being alone on the airplane though. I was with Sophie and Almut, two girls also going on exchange to New Zealand from Austria. We had the same trip in front of us, and it was good having people to talk to and share thoughts with.

Because of the 12-hour time difference between New Zealand and Austria, I had a pretty bad jet lag. So, if you go, be prepared to have a few difficult nights after your arrival! 😊

My host families

After the long flight, I got picked up by my first host family. I was there only for the first week because my real host family was on vacation in Thailand. Nate, my host brother in this first host family, is my age and we get along really well. He took me to meet some of his friends, which was very fortunate since I'm still in good contact with them.

Now, my double placement Taichi from Japan, and I live with our proper host family. Our host parents are very accepting and interested in us. They always listen to us, and help us out. We like to watch movies, cook, go on walks, and go to the shopping mall together. We also go to the marketplace on weekends and go to some events from time to time. We also have our own space and privacy, which is also important if you're far from home, to have “alone-time”.

The first week

The first week, I was outdoors a lot. January in New Zealand is summer, and the weather here is perfect. Still, it was not easy to get used to the 30°C… I spent the first week learning about my new surroundings, for example, the bus station, grocery shop, and the beach.

School

School is going really well at the moment. The International Department is very well organized, and it's really easy to connect with other people. There are many international students in my school, even one from my home city in Austria! The majority are Japanese students though, because New Zealand is the closest English-speaking country to Japan.

We have to wear a school uniform here, which is common in New Zealand. For me, it didn't take long to get used to that, as everybody wears the same. Plus you don't have to spend so much time in the morning getting ready and picking out the right outfit. For me, that's about 30 minutes of more sleep, haha.

In New Zealand you're usually able to choose your subjects, so I chose English, Biology, Outdoor Education, Business Studies, Hospitality, and Drama. There were over 40 options; it was hard to choose. 😊

In every subject there are assessments. For example, in Business Studies, we have to create a product, and then work together on surveys, promotions, and much more. In Hospitality, we cook most of the time, which is very nice, because we don't have warm meals at lunch in our school. Drama is mostly about acting, a good option to get out of my comfort zone. It's not easy to speak different lines and act different roles in another language in front of other same-aged students, but it really helps my pronunciation and also helps me get more confident. Outdoor Education, where you go on different trips throughout the year, is something I really recommend. A lot of international students choose this class. In a few weeks, my classmates and I are going on a 3-day canoe trip on the Whanganui River on the South Island.

First trip outside Auckland

Last weekend, my local Coordinator took me and Taichi to Hamilton (about 2 hours away from Auckland). It was our first time out of the big city. We really enjoyed the trip, because a lot of other STS students from Sweden, Finland, Spain, Italy, and Austria were also there. I also Sophie and Almut again! We went to Hamilton Gardens, which was beautiful!

Planned trips

Sophie and I booked the 15-day Kiwiana Tours, which is a trip through the South Island of New Zealand. There are a lot of activities you can choose to join, for example swimming with dolphins, or cruising on a river with a jet boat. You can also go skydiving or bungee jumping (if you are not scared).

Recommendations

If you're thinking about going to New Zealand for your high school exchange, do it! For me, it was the best decision. There are many countries to go to if you want to improve your English skills, but no country with so much culture and this stunning nature. For me, New Zealand will always have a special place in my heart.

*) “Kia Ora” means “Hello” in Māori. Māori are the indigenous people of New Zealand.

If you want to follow my journey, or have any questions about exchange in New Zealand, feel free to follow me on Instagram: 0185jp.mmw 🙂

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Louisa went on exchange to New Zealand

Louisa from Austria was on exchange in New Zealand.

Hi! I’m Louisa from Austria. I spent a semester abroad in Auckland, New Zealand. This was the best thing I've done in my life so far. I was able to get to know new cultures, lifestyles, and languages, and I made countless new friends.

When I arrived in New Zealand

I still remember well when my adventure started on January 20th in wintry temperatures in Vienna-Schwechat. After a twenty-five-hour flight and two stopovers in Frankfurt and Singapore, I finally landed at the other end of the world, in the city of Auckland in New Zealand – 17,890 km away!

I arrived in summer because, in addition to the twelve-hour time difference, the seasons are also the opposite of Europe. I spent the first few days with STS in Auckland City, where we visited the Sky Tower and the Auckland War Memorial Museum. After the Welcome Days, everyone traveled on to their host families and I had to part with my last Austrian girlfriend.

My host families

During my stay, I lived with two host families. First, I was with a family that had moved to New Zealand from South Africa about a decade and a half ago and whose origins lie in India. My second host family consisted of my Italian host mother, my Māori host father, and their two young sons Giacomo and Nikau. During my time in New Zealand, I had three different host mates: Mika from Japan, Touch from Thailand, and Isabel from Norway.

My school

I attended Avondale College, one of the largest high schools in New Zealand with around 2,800 students and a very nice black and white school uniform. It offers a wide range of subjects and a large number of different sports teams, dance groups, choirs, and other activities. In addition to the "normal subjects", I also took subjects such as Dance, Health, and Outdoor Education. Outdoor Education is a special feature of New Zealand. It includes activities ranging from climbing to diving and is intended to prepare students for jobs in tourism. There were often festivals to get to know and celebrate different cultures and also various occasions such as the Talent Quest, where the students gathered during the lunch break.

Why New Zealand

An important reason why I chose New Zealand (Aotearoa) as my program country, is my interest in the unique Māori culture. The influence and significance that Māori culture has on the country can be seen in the national anthem and street signs written in English and Māori. But also in school, through the Māori honors at the assemblies, various "Māori" school subjects, and the school motto "Kohia ngā Taikākā". The "Haka", a traditional dance that is also performed at matches of the "All Blacks", the national rugby team, is known and loved worldwide.

Of course, I also had time to explore the beautiful flora and fauna of New Zealand on numerous hikes, trips, and beach visits. Another highlight was to visit the filming locations of the "Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings" trilogies.

Finally…

The friendliness of the “Kiwis” will certainly remain in my heart, but also my gained independence. I will never forget this time and already look forward to visiting again during the Christmas holidays. But for now, I'm enjoying my family in Austria and… brown bread!

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