STUDENT STORIES
GRETA
GRETA
"My name is Greta and I left Germany, my home country, to go on a 9 months exchange to New Zealand in July 2025. I was placed into a wonderful New Zealand family of 5 and got to share so many great moments with them. They welcomed me into their home not as a guest but as a part of the family and I appreciate that so much.
They live in a small town at the bottom of the South Island where I got to experience many things I would have never experienced in Germany. It was a beautiful time and I never regretted taking that step and going to New Zealand.
My exchange year in New Zealand changed me in so many different ways: my openness, ability to speak English, confidence and how I see the world changed through this experience and I am so incredibly grateful.
Even though I will never regret going on exchange there were some challenges on the way. Being 15 years old and having to immerse myself in a completely different culture, language and traditions and that especially as a shy person wasn’t always easy.
It was at the beginning quite difficult for me to find friends even though everyone was really nice to me. I was the only exchange student at a small school where most people knew each other since primary school and also because of that it was difficult to get this feeling of belonging. It took some time but I found my people and it was a part of my way and definitely shaped my experience and me.
Even if I could now go back and change something, I probably wouldn’t. All the challenges and difficulties are a part of my exchange experience and influenced who I became. My host family and LAR were supporting me on every step of the way and gave their best to let me feel at home. I got to meet great people in the school, community and other places and some of them became friends or family for me.
My host family was a vital part of my experience and I am so lucky to be placed with this fantastic family who showed me how life in New Zealand is really like. But it's not just the big moment I now look back to, the adventures, having 2 pet lambs together with one of my hostbrothers, hikes and holidays but especially all these small moments that I got to share with them, conversations in the car or at home, board game nights and watching silly tv shows, seeing how happy they were when I baked or cooked something German, seeing my host brother try to learn some German and everyone being interested in the culture I am from and especially seeing how important it was for them to include me and let me feel as part of the family.
Being in New Zealand changed me in so many great ways, I got to experience new, unique things, got to know the culture, the people and traditions and feel at home even though I was so far away from the place I knew as home before. I recently had to leave New Zealand as my exchange year ended but I did not leave the same, I left as a different person, with so many great memories, experiences, a host family that got to feel like family, friends for life and a second home on the other side of the world. I am so grateful for this experience and would always decide again to do that. Going on exchange and going to New Zealand was probably the best decision I could have made at this point in my life.
ZOE
ZOE
"I’m Zoë from Switzerland and I have been in New Zealand since the end of January. I have been placed on the lower North Island in a family of four and another exchange student from France. He had already been here for half a year when I arrived and was like a big brother for me.
When he left in July, another exchange student from Denmark came, so I have another little sister now. My whole family took me in and made me feel welcome from the first day I arrived.I live on a farm and my host dad is a full-time farmer. My family is pretty busy and have something going on almost every weekend, so I was able to see different, more local spots from New Zealand.
The school I was placed offered, like most schools in New Zealand, a lot of different sports throughout the year. I've tried Volleyball, Badminton, rowing and Kiorahi. I also played Tennis in a club for two terms. Not only that, but I think everywhere you go in New Zealand there is a lot of stuff to do you just have to inform yourself and get busy. I also got to volunteer at the SPCA, learn a bit of Te Reo Māori and start my Duke of Edinburgh Journey.
Because most other kids in New Zealand have a job after school to earn money they don’t have as much free time as you do, so it is better for you to do something than just stay at home.I was a bit mad at first when I was placed in a all girl’s college, but my experience has been awesome. The girls at the school all support each other and achieve a lot as a group. I was even able to become a member of the student council and stood for all the internationals and exchange students, which was a wonderful experience. The girls took me in from the first moment I walked in and showed me around the school.
New Zealand in general is an amazing country to do an exchange year in. Everyone is friendly and welcoming and people on the streets talk to you like you know each other, which is a bit more unusual in Switzerland or in general in Europe where I come from. And that is great, it made me feel like I belong more and the country itself is just so beautiful from the mountains to the sea. New Zealand people are more laid back and take life as it comes, not everything has to be perfect, which takes off the pressure of you as an exchange student to do everything perfect and know everything.
All in all, New Zealand is an awesome country with super nice people and as an exchange student it is perfect because there is so much to do if you look for it and the school is not just focused on grades it is also focused on your life, so that helps you to with finding stuff to do. I will definitely come back to see some more."
LOU-ANNE
LOU-ANNE
"I am having an incredible experience, seeing so many things I would never have seen in Belgium. And above all, I would like to thank everyone I have met in New Zealand, because they are all amazing! I will never regret having had this experience 🥰"
MARIA- ALEJANDRA
MARIA-ALEJANDRA
“My exchange programme in New Zealand, was a great experience. Studying at Te Puke High School and immersing myself in an environment where English was the primary language was challenging from day one. Despite "kiwis” speakijng fast, their kindness and willingness to help made the adjustment easier.
The immersion in Maori culture was very exciting. Learning about their customs and history significantly enhanced my experience.
The school teachers were exceptional, always willing to support and answer questions. Additionally, the field trips organised by the school allowed us to explore the beautiful landscapes of the region.
Adapting to a different culture always requires a willingness. New Zealand, with its tranquility and safety, facilitated this process. The bus system is excellent, punctual, and very easy to use, contributing to an overall positive experience. In short, my exchange program was an unforgettable adventure that provided me with personal and cultural growth."
ROMANE
ROMANE
“Hello, my name is Romane Berger and I’m an exchange student in New Zealand for 9 months, until April. I arrived in this country on the 9 of July but first I did a camp in Auckland with a lot of others students from around the word. It was so good, we visited a museum, saw a point of view from the sky
tower, made a lot of activities even at the place where we slept. It was so cool because everyone was in the same situation, with the same questions.
I arrived in my city, Tauranga on the 12 of July. I was so scared because it was the real start of this new life but finally everything was so good. I discovered my room, my house and my neighborhood. I was and I’m so happy because my place is in the city, clothe to everything : the beaches, the stores, the bus stops, … By the way, in Tauranga it's very easy to get around on your own because there is a large and good bus system.
At school, I’m in Otumoetai College which is very cloth to my house, only 20 minutes by foot. A few months ago I had to choose some subjects. In Otumoetai College there are so many options. Because I’m in year 13, I received only 5 subjects. One of them didn’t suit me, but the people of the international office at school were great because I was able to change my timetable, and now everything is perfect. I now have outdoor education, fashion, hospitality ( cooking), design digital and economics. I sometimes have theory lessons, but most of the time it’s practical activities. It’s great because it works differently from Europe. These courses are more focused on technology and manual activities (at least in the courses I chose).
The school infrastructure is also really cool, it’s very open, you have to go outside to change classrooms. At lunchtime, I usually eat with my friends on the rugby field, which has a very New Zealand vibe. The next few weeks will have a lot of free days because it's exam season, and as an exchange student, I don't have to earn credits or pass my year, so I don't have to take the exams.
To keep people in the same situation as me from getting bored, the international office organizes activities during this period, such as surfing days or visits that will allow me to see new landscapes in New Zealand. The coming weeks look as great as the previous ones, I can't wait!”
"Hello everyone, I’m Lorenzo and I’ve been studying here in New Zealand for a month now at Mount Albert Grammar School (MAGS). Even though the Kiwi lifestyle is completely different from what I’m used to, over these weeks I’ve had the chance to immerse myself in the local culture, and it’s been absolutely amazing.
The school has played a huge part in making this experience so positive. MAGS truly offers everything an international student could hope for - modern and well-equipped structures, enthusiastic teachers, a wide variety of sports facilities and an overall atmosphere that really encourages learning. However, what impressed me the most was the size of the school, with more than 3,500 students, including nearly 200 internationals from all around the globe! MAGS is the second-largest school in New Zealand. This has given me the opportunity to meet people from many different backgrounds, share experiences, and make new friends from all over the world.
Outside of school, exploring Auckland has been just as exciting. There’s always something to do: from visiting cultural landmarks to enjoying the beautiful beaches, parks, and breathtaking landscapes that surround the city.
It’s hard to believe it’s only been a month, because so much has already happened. I can’t wait to see what the rest of my time here will bring and to keep creating unforgettable memories in New Zealand!"
PERRINE
PERRINE
"Spending a year in New Zealand was one of the best decisions in my life. As a student who, at first didn’t want another exchange student in my host family, I’m glad I changed my mind when I got my placement, because not only did I find out about New Zealand and Māori culture, but I also found out more about German and Swiss cultures.
My host family was a huge part of my exchange, and I wouldn’t want to imagine my exchange with another one. During the year I had two different host sisters of my age who were also exchange students, and we got along perfectly. I had three amazing younger host siblings, and for someone who had never lived with younger kids, it was quite the experience. I got to learn a lot of games from my host parents, as well as I got to travel around the North Island with them during the year and go on multiple hikes.
I was schooled in a small country school in Waikato, which is a really small Māori school full of culture and amazing people. This school gave me the opportunity to try out rowing in the freshly created school’s team, and little did I know I would discover a passion for this sport. Being in a team helped me make really good friends I still talk to weeks after I left the country.
During the summer holiday I got to travel around the South Island with a group of exchange students, and it was one of the best moments of my exchange.
I know everybody says this, but saying yes to everything really makes the exchange amazing."
JOSEPHINA
JOSEPHINA
"Hello, my name is Josephina, I am from Germany and I have been in New Zealand for almost a whole year now. It was and still is an awesome experience. I have made new friends, learned new card- and board games, seen new places, improved my English skills and done things I have never done before.
I am in year 13 at a school in rural Waikato. It is a fairly small school with just under 300 students. Most of the time, there were no other exchange students at my school, which made it really easy to integrate and find friends.
My kiwi classmates were all very friendly, showing me where my next class is and offering me to sit with them during lunchtime. Now I am friends with a dozen people in my year level and some year 12’s too. We often play cards in school and sometimes hang out in town after school. We are always joking about all of them coming to Germany some time to visit me, but I hope that it might actually come true because it will be hard leaving my new friends when I go back to Germany and I would really like seeing them again.
During my time here I have experienced several subjects that I don’t have the option to take in Germany, such as Te Reo Maori, hard materials, business, outdoor education, design, tourism and chess. I have learned maori words and several waiatas (songs), build my own little table, created a business with my friends where we are about to sell birthday pop-up cards and I have learned how to roll upright when upside down in a kayak!
My host family was just as welcoming as my classmates. My host family consists of my host parents, and my three host siblings Lucy, Spencer and Cooper, who are now 3, 7 and 10 years old respectively. We often play board games together, jump on the tramp or play on the Xbox.
In Germany I live in a city with a population of 120,000, but my host family lives at the edge of a village with a population of barely 400, so it was a big change for me to live here. I really liked this experience because I got the chance to do new things. I raised my calf Loopy and competed with her in a competition called Ag Day / Group Day where I have to walk a certain course. A few weeks ago, my host dad took me hunting and we brought home three deer. They got cut up into steaks and taste pretty good.
On the weekends I usually play (mini)golf or boardgames with my host family, we catch up with family and friends or have a games night. During the holidays we often go away to visit friends or family or to go camping. Then we do lots of fun activities such as biscuiting, mountain biking, going for a swim, hiking, zorbing, going on the luge, playing pool, golf or laser tag, boogie boarding or kayaking. At the beginning of December I also did a south island tour with NZET where I get to go to all the hot spots in the south island with a group of about 40 exchange students. We saw seals in Kaikoura including some baby ones, went sea kayaking in Motueka, visited the pancake rocks and got tricked by the optical illusions in puzzling world in Wanaka. Then we went on an overnight trip down Doubtful Sound with stunning view of the sheer rock walls right and left overgrown with all kinds of plants. There were hundreds of tiny waterfalls because it was raining a lot in the area. After that we spend some time in Queenstown which I used to go rafting and indoor skydiving. In the evening in our accommodations I played cards and pool with my new friends when we probably should have been in bed.
My English skills now compared to before I came here are a lot better. They just slowly improved over time: I had to think less about what I want to say next and, more importantly, didn’t have to ask people to repeat what they said as much. There are so many little things you just pick up by listening to the language around you all the time. And whenever I didn’t understand someone right away, they were always very friendly, repeated themselves and tried to rephrase and explain it. Now, after almost a year, I don’t have any problems understanding people anymore, which is really cool.
I am looking forward to seeing my family and friends from Germany again, but at the same time it is hard to leave my host family and friends here in New Zealand. I am really grateful that my host family included me as a member of their family. All 5 of them and my friends have made this year an awesome year."
NICOLA
NICOLA
"Hey everyone, my name is Nicola. I came here to New Zealand last year in July with the intention of improving my English, make new experiences and just getting out of my comfort zone.
The past 10 months here in New Zealand have been full of unforgettable moments. My host family has welcomed me warmly from day one and I have found a second home here. Not only have I been able to get to know the country through many trips with my host family and school, but I was also able to visit the South Island with NZAT last month.
I also really enjoyed the fishing days with my host family and the proximity to the sea. During my time here, there were so many wonderful places to see and friendly people to meet.
The time in New Zealand flew by and I can't imagine going back to my home country in less than two months."
MANON
MANON
"I am Manon and I’m 17 years old. I left France, my home country, 10 months ago for my exchange year in New Zealand. I arrived into a lovely family of three, with my host dad, Curtis, my mum, Angela, and my little sister Kayleigh, that made me feel at home and loved.
I chose New Zealand to seek adventure and discovery at the other side of the world, as far from home and my usual life. At the start of the experience not everything was easy as I struggled missing my family. However, this was my opportunity to become more independent and find a way to deal with this. Your Education and my LAR supported me and the other exchange students very well making sure that everything was going alright, and the Welcome Camp prepared us for the experience.
If I had to choose my favourite thing during my exchange, it would be the school spirit with the houses, this makes you close to people and have fun with a common goal.
When I left for my exchange year, I though I was only leaving for 10 months and coming back to my country and my people. I was so wrong… This experience changed my life in so many ways that I would have never expected and I’ve never been so me. This gave me the opportunity to discover what I am really capable of, by facing many challenges (and finding how to deal with it), and keep pushing myself always further. The possibility to create a new life by being fully me, loving and enjoying every second with my whole heart, was amazing.
Finally, meeting and letting people into my life and loving them made me learn so much through them and their life stories. People usually describe the exchange year as a year that counts for nothing. For me, this year was everything. I tried, attempted, failed, and succeeded and I’m never going to stop to LIVING like this. As my amazing friend, Emma, and I say every time we are attempting something bold : “For the experience!”
THALIA
THALIA
"Hey, my name is Thalia and I was an exchange student in the Waikato area, New Zealand's North Island for 6 months.
My exchange year started with a 3-day Welcome Orientation Camp in Auckland, which was the perfect start for my exchange year. Meeting other exchange students including my host sister and exploring Auckland together was really helpful to get a feeling for the country (and getting over the worst jack lag).
Then it was finally time to meet my host family.I can tell you I was so nervous, but that just flew away the second I met them. Talking about nervousness, the drive to my new school was nerve wrecking. But I got greeted the kiwi way- everyone was so friendly towards me and helped me find my way in the school.
It didn’t take to long and soon I was adjusted to my new life in NZ, which was quite different from live in Germany, having calves, goats, dogs and a cat probably played a big part in that. I was able to wake up later for school then I had to wake up in Germany, which I enjoyed an awful lot. After eating breakfast (and still being in my pjs) it was time for me to feed the calves. Then I got ready for my 8:45-3:00 schoolday, I really enjoyed going to school in New Zealand as it was very laid back and my school was rich in Māori culture.
My host family was the best thing that could have happened to me during my exchange. I had three younger host siblings, which were always keen on playing with me and treated me like family. And I can’t count the times we played games all together with my host mother and father, which were so supportive and took us on so many amazing trips.
As for hobbies I continued my ballet lessons and passion for reading, which I could share with teachers and friends of my host mother as they gave me incredible book recommendations. Also I joined the freshly founded rowing team of my high school, little did I know it would soon take up a lot of my time. We started out with two sessions a week, but due to our coach giving us the opportunity we ended up having three sessions a day. Joining the rowing team was probably one of the best decisions I made during my exchange. Not only did I discover my love for the sport, but also made amazing friends and yes that includes my coach, who went above and beyond for me."
MARLEN
MARLEN
"Hi, I’m Marlen, 15, from Switzerland (Solothurn). I was an exchange student in New Zealand in 2023. I went over on the 10 th of July and wentback home on the 10 th of December. So I was in NZ for 5 months. I really enjoyed it.
I was part of a family with a host mum and a host brother. The host brother was younger than me, so I played a lot with him. We played Cricket and Football and other stuff I can’t really define. My host mum was really young when I stayed there, so we’re really close. I loved having Danelle as my host mum and Reon as my host brother.
I chose New Zealand because I wanted to improve my English. Because I was 14 when I decided to do an exchange, I couldn’t go to England, which I first wanted to. Australia and USA weren’t an option for me, so I decided to go to New Zealand. Looking back, I’m glad that I went to NZ.
The first three months were hard for me. I was always overthinking my situation and missed my friends. I felt lonely and bored, because I haven’t had any close friends at the time. But soon it got better, I made lots and lots of new contacts and soon I felt completely home. I went to volleyball practices, did stuff with friends, went to the beach and so on. I don’t really have a favourite moment.
The school was fortunately not as hard as in Switzerland, so I had a lot of free time. I was able to choose the school subjects myself. So I took music, dance, math, science, English and hospitality. My favourite subject was dance, because I love to dance, and math, because it is the same as inSwitzerland. Those subjects gave me some kind of comfort because I was used to it.
In my free time I love to dance. I dance Hiphop, Salsa, Ladystyle, Jazz and Contemporary. I also love going out with friends and love getting to know new people (this helped me a lot over in NZ).
My time over in New Zealand changed me a lot I think. I became more confident and out-going. I’m still in contact with my host family and friends in New Zealand. For me the whole experience was so unique and special. It was definitely one of my favourite experiences I made in my life and I’m glad that I did it."
ALESSANDRO
ALESSANDRO
"Just one month or so ago, I was looking out of a bus window over the green hills that surround Matamata, and it was then, on a sunny day’s afternoon, when I realised that home is not a place.
I know this sounds like a cheap statement - too common to be anything but cheesy - and I have never trusted phrases such as these. Yet, I mean it when I tell you that, to me, home is a feeling.
I arrived in New Zealand more than one hundred fifty five days ago, after more than twenty hours on a plane, or to be more precise, on three different planes. I had left my friends and family, and pretty much everything else I knew, on a cold, European Monday afternoon and had landed on the other side of the globe on a humid, subtropical Wednesday morning, twelve time zones away from my country.
I can perfectly recall the moment when I walked out of the airport: the air felt sticky and the cars driving on what for me, was the odd side of the road. At first, I struggled to adjust to the new accent and to the strangers sitting beside me in the car, but back then I had no idea of how it was going to be.
Now I can count the days I have left in New Zealand on my fingers. I have started to feel the pressure of time running out and, instead of thinking ahead, I find myself looking back. I wonder why, in more than five months, I have never really missed my family or home. The only answer I can think of is because I have found another one. All those people who went from strangers to friends within a matter of a few laughs, have in fact slowly become my new, chosen family, the whanau that has unconsciously sedated my homesickness, provided me with enough love to feel safe, even on the other side of the world.
As I write this I imagine the day when I will walk up the driveway for the last time, my suitcase full of souvenirs, un-ironed clothes and memories. I can picture it in my mind quite clearly. What startles me the most is that I have no clue as to how my life will be after I return to Italy. People often say that the hardest part in an exchange is diving into unfamiliar waters, starting from scratch in another country.
For me, and for others I am sure, the worry is more about going back. I have no guarantee about what is next. I feel as if I am forsaking for good all the relationships and commitments I have made here - and yes, it is true that I can always come back - but it will never be the same. I am going to miss the experience. I am going to miss having hot chips for lunch at school, waking up at 4 in the morning to watch a football game being played 18,000 km away, touring New Zealand by bus, meeting amazing people. I cherish all these little things that have made my exchange fantastic. Now, almost at the end, I know that these will be the memories I will always keep.
In less than a week I will be on a plane, flying from New Zealand’s winter to Italy’s summer. I will be sad, but I will sit there looking out of the window knowing that it is not a ‘goodbye’; it is a ‘see you soon’.
The only thing I have left to say now to all the people I have met, who have helped to make this part of my life unforgettable, is a sincere and heart-felt thank you; we will meet again very soon.
Grazie mille, a presto.
EMMA
EMMA
"This is sadly the end...the end of an amazing experience in New Zealand. Two months and a half ago I flew in from France. My first memory is to be astonished by the landscapes from the plane: green fields with white spots (sheep) and sometimes a farm hahaha.
My New Zealand parents, Jenny and Simon and my local representative, Mark, were waiting for me at the airport. It was awkward because I didn't know what was the habit to say hello: Hug ? Kiss? Nothing ?
On the first Monday, I had to go to school. My fist day was sooo cool: friendly teachers, discovering of my uniform (very different from my own clothes), choosing of my subjects, etc. Everyday I learnt, discovered, met new people, tasted foods (I noticed we eat a loooot of meat in New Zealand and even in winter, it's ice cream for the desert haha).
My host dad was joking all the time, my host mum always had this beautiful big smile and my host sis, Lily was crazy as me.
After four amazing weeks, it was the time for holidays. My awesome local representative, Coralene, organised mine: few days in Auckland then Rotorua in two new host families. I met Fiona, a very calm and lovely woman, her family and pets (a loooot of pets). Then the Buckley family hosted me. Here, I met two funny parents, Alain and Carol and two new friendly host brothers: Jorje and Nicolas. My holidays was wonderful !!
After that, we welcomed Carlotta, my host sister from Italy. I got on well with her since the begining. School started again: it was a pleasure to be back and see my friends again.
My four last weeks were sooo fast: I went to school, to friend's houses, to differents towns such as Wellington and I also did some sports (motorbiking, watersking, etc).
Time for goodbye arrived, one of the sadest of my life but I will be back as soon as I can to live with this amazing people and in this beautiful country! My trip was exceptional and I would highly recommend everyone to do the same but longer of course! "
"Thinking back to who I was when I left Germany is scary. Within one year here in New Zealand I changed so much and grew up in many different ways.
With a group of approximately 30 students I arrived at Auckland airport last July. All of us spent three days in Auckland, slowly started to get used to the culture and had fun doing stuff like rock climbing or visiting a Marae.
On Sunday all of us got on planes to go to our host families in different parts of New Zealand. With four other student I flew to my new host family who lived on top of the South Island.
During the following time I experienced all sorts of different stuff and had fun all along the line. I lived with my two host parents and one host sister (16 years old) on a farm on the top of a hill. At home and at a place called Port Gore (Marlborough Sounds) I learned how to: chase sheep/goats/cattle, shear sheep, catch wild cattle, possum trapping, pig hunting (with dogs), fish in the sea, file horses hooves, build fences and how to pull them out again because you and your host sister put it in the wrong place, feed lambs and calves out of bottles and light fires properly. I also went on different trips.
With my host grandparents and Maya I travelled along the West Coast of the South Island, with my host parent and host sister I went on a road trip around the rest of the South Island and with my host parents I took the ferry over to Wellington. I also took part in an “International Programme” at the end of last year where we went to Hanmer Springs, Nelson, Christchurch and had fun doing other stuff at school.
At school I took subjects we don't have in Germany. Such as Early Childhood Education and Outdoor Education. I went to Marlborough Girls College and actually enjoyed learning stuff with only girls around. Everyone at school, including the teachers were so welcoming and friendly that I felt comfortable there after just a few weeks.
New Zealand has become a second home to me and I would always want to come back."
MARIE-LIESSE
MARIE-LIESSE
"Living away from home during one year has impacted me for life, it was a great experience. I learned to take in everything as it comes and not judge things by their first impression, and specially I learned to speak English. Experiencing a different culture and a different lifestyle is so interesting and will stick with me for life.
My host family is the main part of my exchange, a second family in the opposite side of the world is not given to anyone. I definitely consider my family as my own family and they treat me as their own daughter. I'm with another exchange student from Germany and it's great to share this incredible time with her. My host parents took us in holidays in Rotorua during spring break and did bungee jumping, saw the bubbling mud, swam in natural hot pools, and the best experience of my life: Skydiving! Then with some other exchange students we went to see the only white kiwi birds in the world.
During Easter holidays we went, my father, my mother and my German sister, in holidays in Mahia, near to Gisborne. We went fishing, went in the place where the sun first in the world. We had such great family times, specially playing board and cards game all together.
If you ever go on exchange you should really get involved in school activities such as sport team, or stage challenge. I personally wouldn't have time to do these activities in France and I'm so glad I took part of it. Plus you meet more people with the same interests/hobbies as you, get closer and make great friends. I definitely made memories for life."
ANNA
ANNA
"Kia Ora! My name is Anna. A year ago, I left France to come to New Zealand, this beautiful, wonderful country. I stayed in Lower North Island, with the ocean on one side and the countryside and the mountains on another. My host family was amazing, they had four little girls (8 to 1 years old).
We were three students, one from Austria, one from Japan and I. I can tell that I never got bored, between playing, laughing, cooking or singing; I didn’t really get the chance to get homesick.
I went into a Maori school, with only 350 students. As well as the difference of culture, we had to wear the uniform; it’s kind of weird at the beginning, but you get used to it really quickly and enjoy sleeping longer in the morning and don’t have to choose your clothes. I have to say that people in New Zealand aren’t really trying to be your friend; they think you are different. So, you really have to come out of your comfort zone to talk to them, don’t be shy because that’s the worst thing you can do. And don’t give up after a week trying to make friends because it’s obviously going to take longer, you don’t build a strong friendship in a day! I have to be honest and say that it took me a while, but I got so close with some kiwis that now, after a year, leaving felt the wrong thing to do.
In New Zealand, I got the chance to experienced so many new things. I got to try netball, waka ama, ki o rahi, and I had so much fun. I also learnt my school haka and performed it on stage with others international, front of my whole school. I have to admit, I was freaking out but I was so proud of myself afterwards. I also did a South Island tour, where I skydived and did a canyon swing; it was amazing!
Overall, my time in New Zealand was awesome, the things I have experienced, the people I got to meet weren’t only just fun but they also changed me forever. Now I have amazing kiwi friends in New Zealand and I know that when I’ll come back they ‘ll be here for me. But I also have another culture in my blood, I am French by origin and Kiwi by choice! "
"I came to New Zealand for a year. I learnt a lot of the culture here. People in New Zealand were very nice to me. I had fun with kiwi friends for a year and I when left New Zealand it made me feel very sad because we had such a good time together. "
"I chose to come in New Zealand because I heard from everyone that Kiwis are lovely people, and also because I really love amazing place, and New Zealand is the most wonderful place I’ve ever been before: it’s all about nature, nature and nature… I love it!
I must say that there is no better host family I could be in. For an exchange student the best thing to be worried about is exactly the host family. I feel like if I have a new Mom, new Dad, new brother and sister. Since the first day I was here they made me feel like a family member, they trusted me even if they didn’t know me and my personality. Now I’m starting to think about my leaving in July, and I realize that will be so hard to leave all of them, also my host uncle, he loves me and I love him too.
I really liked the Welcome Camp in Auckland. It’s a great time with other exchange students and funny members of the Your Education squad! It’s the perfect way to break the ice, because you know, you have a lot of flight hours behind you, you’re a little bit confused and also “scared” about what is going on. The support is very good, I’m always in contact with my LAR, she habitually calls me or texts me to see if there are any “problems” or stuff like that."
MORGANE
MORGANE
"Kia Ora, I’m Morgane and ten weeks ago, I left France for New Zealand. My host family lived in a lovely town at the very North of the South Island, with hills at the top and grapes at the bottom.
My host family was so nice and welcoming to me, I was very lucky. They took me to different places in New Zealand and they were always helping me when I needed. If I have an advice for you in your host family, don’t be afraid to communicate if something goes wrong (if you feel a cultural shock…).
I went to a school that was totally different from what I’m used to (only girls, wearing uniform…) but it wasn’t hard to get used to. I could choose some fun subjects like Outdoor Education. This subject was a really good opportunity for me to discover New Zealand. Most of the teachers and the personal of the school were really nice to me.
It’s not too hard to make friends but you have to talk to the other students. Don’t be afraid to ask to have lunch with them for example. I met awesome people there, even if it was only a short time.
At the end of my exchange, I felt so sad: even if I didn’t spend lots of time there, it was really hard to leave everybody I met. I'll never thank enough all the people who helped me during my exchange. I had an awesome time in New Zealand. I learnt so much and I discovered so much as well. I’ll never forget people I met and things I did there. But, just a last advice, stay longer than me!"
NELE
NELE
"When I first came to New Zealand I was overwhelmed. Seriously, this country is even prettier than on the photos that I’ve been looking up before I came here. In Germany we don’t have palm trees or a beach close-by, so I appreciate that here a lot! I love going to the beach in summer.
One of the things that left an impression on me was the politeness and openness of the people here. Whenever you enter a store or restaurant, people would welcome you with a smile and ask you how you are. The people here are simple and not used to big cities, as the ones that I have at home, but maybe this makes them so family and friendly bounded.
They welcome you just as you are, I noticed that when I first came to my school. People would just come and ask me questions, which made it so easy for me to chat with them. It is obvious that not everyone I met will be my lifelong friend, but I can say that I found a couple of people who are important friends to me. Honestly, I can’t wait for them to come overseas, or maybe one day I’ll come back and visit them.
I had more than one host family, due to multiple reasons. I was so glad they opened their homes for me to stay with them. Respect for that! I loved it when they would take me places or show me their home and town, it was not only great to get to know more about New Zealand, it also made me feel like I want to host as well. Just like I want to give some back. The people here showed me New Zealand and their homes, so I want to show them my home as well!
Your Education was my New Zealand partner organization. I first really got to know them, when I first arrived in New Zealand. They organized a Welcome Camp for two days in Auckland and showed us around the city. It was good to first get to settled in the English environment before facing needing to communicate with your new host family! Sadly, I had such a jetlag that I was deadly tired during the sight-seeing.
They also provided me with an LAR, a Local Area Representative. Mine would later become my host mother. It was good to have another person other than your host parents to talk to. Whenever I struggled or had a problem with my family, I was able to ring them or write them. Even though my LAR might have not been able to solve all my problems, because for example I had to solve it myself, it was good to have a source of advice and a person to talk to.
Lastly, I can say that my exchange was a good one. It is definitely different from what I’ve expected, but I guess that’s what it’s about! Exchange is totally different and crazy, and I learned so much, besides new vocabulary, and I met amazing people.
There is one thing though, that I really hate about exchange: the goodbye. Maybe it’s not a goodbye forever, but you know it will never be the same."
FRANCISKA
FRANCISKA
Kia Ora! My name is Francisca and I come from Chile. I spent almost 5 months living in Gore; a little town located almost at the bottom of the South Island. It’s a really quiet place with a lot farms around.
I was so lucky to see many different places around New Zealand in such a short time; the landscapes were absolutely stunning!I wouldn’t trade my experience here in New Zealand for anything. I am so grateful for all the amazing people i met during my stay and also some really great memories that Im going to cherish forever.
My advice for future students is to enjoy every second of your exchange because in no time you’ll be in a plane flying back to your home country."