New Zealand is a great place to study! Safe and welcoming, with a high standard of living, New Zealand is a popular choice for students wanting to study abroad. Come to study at the NZCECE in Christchurch and you’ll find yourself part of a diverse community that is well set-up to cater for international students.

New Zealand is primarily an English-speaking country, but as the home to immigrants of many different cultures you’ll find that there are many opportunities available to use your native language or take part in familiar cultural events. Many nationalities have their own cultural groups, newspapers and radio stations.

Food is an important part of the New Zealand culture! In a typical New Zealand home, breakfast is a light meal of cereal, toast and fruit. Lunch is usually a cold meal, which may include sandwiches or a salad, cold meats, yoghurt and fruit. In winter it may include a hot bowl of soup. The main meal of the day is usually served in the evening and typically includes a hot dish of meat and vegetables. Within this tradition there is a great deal of variety. New Zealanders love to embrace the food of other cultures and many households enjoy eating foods traditional to Asia, Europe or America. In all cities and large towns, you will find lots of cafes and restaurants offering everything from curry to sushi and souvlaki.

The generally mild climate and relatively small population of New Zealand mean that outdoor activities are very popular with residents and visitors alike. Most New Zealanders live within a short distance of wide-open spaces: mountains, hills, forests, lakes and ocean. As a result, they often spend their spare time hiking, mountain-biking or, in winter, skiing and snowboarding. In cities, parks are an important feature and they are popular in all seasons.

In the evening and when the weather is not so inviting there are plenty of other entertainment options, particularly if you are living in a city. Christchurch, for example, has several cinema complexes, theatres and concert venues. There are many restaurants and cafes for enjoying a meal or coffee, and you’ll also find a great range of shopping facilities. If you’re looking for a great country to study in, New Zealand is the place!