High School Study Abroad in New Zealand

Study Abroad in New Zealand

By living with a host family and attending a local school in New Zealand (Aotearoa), you’ll get to know why this country is celebrated for its friendliness and breathtaking natural beauty. Experience the casual Kiwi culture and pass your days with plenty of time outdoors, having a family barbecue or hiking to the nearest beach. You’ll be totally immersed in New Zealand society and learn all about its rich and diverse culture. This isn’t just a year abroad; it’s an adventure you’ll never forget!

Things to Know About New Zealand

The culture of New Zealand is heavily influenced by the Maori people, the indigenous inhabitants of New Zealand. You might get a chance to learn the Maori language and you’ll see Maori words and street names all over. While New Zealanders tend to eat a lot of red meat, it’s generally quite easy to get by as a vegetarian. Vegans, however, might have a hard time due to the prevalence of dairy.

Airfare

Eligibility

Graduates Eligible?	No, participants cannot have graduated prior to the start of the program
Minimum GPA	2.5
Age Range	16 yrs, 0 months to 17 yrs, 6 months at start of program
Language Skills	No language requirement
COVID-19 Vaccine	Required

Based on differences in culture, strict government regulation of medications, and other local customs, it has been our experience that not all of our international AFS partners are able to support students with certain diagnoses, including but not limited to, severe allergies, strict dietary restrictions, ADD/ADHD, and those currently taking or who have taken psychotropic medications and/or received counseling for mental/psychological issues within the past year. If this applies to you, please get in touch with an AFS Study Abroad Specialist early so that we can determine the right experience for you.

Your Journey to New Zealand

Visa Information

AFS will provide visa guidance and support documents (if applicable). Visa processes can be lengthy and complex; you may be required to travel long distances to apply for the visa if there is not an embassy, consulate, etc. close to your home. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond a return date from your host country. We urge you to apply for or renew your passport as soon as possible if applying to an AFS program. We recommend not taking any trips (domestically or internationally) within 2 months prior to your AFS program as it may interfere with the visa application process and result in a late program start date.

Travel & Orientation

In the months before your departure, AFSers have the opportunity to participate in various preparatory activities, including an online Student Learning Journey, which is an interactive course that brings AFSers from around the world together to learn how to develop essential global skills, intercultural communication techniques, and practice social impact, maximizing the outcomes of the AFS learning experience.

Also during this time, AFS-USA will coordinate and share your international travel with you. You will need to coordinate your own travel to the point of international departure. From there, your journey in New Zealand will begin when you land, where you’ll be met by staff and volunteers…as well as your fellow AFSers from around the world! Shortly after arrival, you will attend an arrival orientation and get a crash course on New Zealand’s culture, living with a host family, safety, and support structures.

Your Accommodations

You might live anywhere in New Zealand but most AFS students live in semi-rural or rural areas. There is a possibility that you could live on a farm, where you get the added benefit of learning how to feed cattle, milk cows and make hay with your host parents and siblings!

New Zealanders love to spend time outdoors and you can expect that a lot of your family time will be spent outside in the garden, having picnics and going on hikes together. In general, you can expect to help out around the house with the same sorts of things that you’re used to doing at home.

Your High School in New Zealand

During your study abroad in New Zealand, you’ll likely attend a public school – and remember, since New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, their school year is opposite the U.S. in terms of start and end dates. Depending on what classes you’ve already taken, you may take math, English, art, and science. You’ll also have the opportunity to do extracurriculars like agriculture and outdoor recreation. There are lots of sports clubs, Maori cultural groups, choirs, and drama clubs that you could get involved with as well.

Daily Life

Teenage Life in New Zealand

As a teenager in New Zealand, a lot of your time will probably be spent with your host family and at school. In your spare time, you’ll find lots to do with your friends. Teenagers in New Zealand often hang out in cafes and go shopping, but most of all they enjoy playing sports and spending time exploring the beautiful landscape. The most popular sports are rugby, cricket, and soccer. You can also go surfing and whale watching on some of New Zealand’s countless gorgeous beaches!

Foods You’ll Encounter

Since there are so many farms in New Zealand, you can expect to have lots of fresh meat, dairy, and produce. New Zealanders love fish and chips and pot roast, but Asian-style curries and stir-fries are also very popular. You might even notice a distinct Japanese influence in some of the foods. On special occasions, you could experience a traditional Maori feast, called a hangi, which is similar to a Hawaiian luau.

What's included

75+ years of experience delivering high-quality programs through a worldwide network of 32,000 dedicated volunteers
Accommodations with a vetted host family
Round-trip international airfare for the designated program dates
School enrollment fees
Worldwide, 24-hour emergency assistance
Access to an in-country support team and network, as well as our Participant Support Department based here in the U.S.
Orientations and intercultural education before and during your program
International secondary medical travel coverage
Visa support and guidance
Inclusion in a worldwide returnee and alumni network of over 1,000,000 people

What’s not included

Domestic travel to your international departure city
Visa and passport fees
Spending money
Covid-19 Tests
Fees imposed by the airlines outside of your international ticket, such as luggage fees.
Additional fees may apply depending on the specific host country. Please email [email protected] for additional details.

We invite you to learn more about where your dollars go, our payment and refund policy, and answers to our Frequently Asked Questions.

Scholarships and Aid

We believe that studying abroad should not be contingent on personal finances. When you apply, we work with you to understand your family’s needs and match you with available scholarships and aid. 100% of accepted applicants with demonstrated need receive funds.

Learn More

Visa Info

Graduates Eligible?	No, participants cannot have graduated prior to the start of the program
Minimum GPA	2.5
Age Range	15 yrs, 0 months to 19 yrs, 0 months at start of program
Language Skills	No language requirement

Returning Home

“Life-changing” is hard to describe, yet it’s nearly always the first thing that AFSers say when asked about their experience abroad. “Transformed” is another one. When you return home from your study abroad in New Zealand, you’ll bring with you a sense of accomplishment unlike any other. You’ll have gained maturity and independence, discovered new passions, and developed the confidence and resilience to accomplish anything you set out to do.

That transformation isn’t only visible to you, though – others see it as well. AFSers gain critical skills for college and careers. Second language fluency, intercultural competence, creativity, and critical reasoning will help you succeed, whatever path you take. “Life-changing” means it’s only the beginning. It’s not just an adventure abroad; it’s a whole new reality. The perspectives and personal connections you gained will stay with you and likely draw you back to the second home you found in New Zealand.

In fact, our alumni reviews have made AFS one of the top-rated organizations in the study abroad industry.

High School in New Zealand

By living with a host family and attending a local school in New Zealand, you’ll get to know why this country is celebrated for its friendliness and breathtaking natural beauty.