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New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising the North Island and the South Island. This breath-taking country - it has provided its backdrop for The Lord of the Rings film series - is situated about 2,000 km (1250 miles) southeast of Australia across the Tasman Sea. To its north are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga.

The Great Outdoors

There are few places in the world that match the drama and diversity of New Zealand's landscape. From beaches to snow-capped mountains, rainforests to lakes, you'll find them all here, along with a diverse array of flora and fauna. For the more adventurous among you, New Zealand also features a range of adventure sports, including bungee jumping, white water rafting, mountain biking, etc. It would be like going to college in Adventure Land!

Sports

New Zealanders are an active lot. The most popular game is rugby, but other sports, including cricket, are also widely followed. Rest assured, unlike in other countries like the US and Singapore, you won?t have any trouble watching the latest matches, as everything from the Indo-Pak One Day Series to the Ashes, are broadcasted here.

Cuisine & Weather

The climate in New Zealand is temperate, and even though the winter months get cold, they?re not unmanageable, even for people from the tropics. Remember though, that New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere - which means winter skiing in July, and summer during Christmas! New Zealand's cuisine reflects influences from Europe and East Asia, and focuses on fresh, local produce. There are plenty of vegetarian options, as well as sufficient meat to satisfy any carnivore. The increasingly cosmopolitan cities and large number of Indians also ensures that you?ll find restaurants serving everything from dosa to dal in most places, especially Auckland, where a large number of immigrants live.

Common Language

The official language in New Zealand is English, which makes communication extremely easy for Indians. In fact, the only entrance exam New Zealand?s universities require international student to take is one that proves English proficiency. Beware, though: the thick Kiwi accent might take some getting used to!

Diversity

Diverse, vibrant and culturally accepting, New Zealand is a welcoming place for people of other nationalities. According to the latest census, 1 in 5 New Zealand residents are born overseas, and 1 in 15 people are Asian. Additionally, Indians are the fastest growing ethnicity in the country. This cosmopolitanism is reflected in the nation?s student body as well, which represents over 120 countries, approximately 6,000 of which are Indians, a number that has multiplied tenfold in the past five years, and continues to soar.

Cutting Costs

Undergraduate degrees at universities and polytechnics cost between NZ$10,000 - 16,000 annually. Cost of living in New Zealand also averages to about NZ$10,000 every year. This is significantly less expensive than studying in other countries like the US and England. I It is also relatively easy to secure a scholarship or loan to study in New Zealand. According to industry estimates, the national government spends close to NZ$3 billion annually on its universities, some of which goes towards providing scholarships for international students. And recently, in a bid to attract more international students, the national government has passed legislation allowing international students to work up to 20 hours during their semesters, and full-time during holidays, opening up a new source of income.

Future Prospects

Unlike the US and UK, where getting a work permit is getting more difficult every year, the New Zealand government encourages students that have completed their degrees in the country to apply for permanent residence. Graduating students can apply for a variety of different options, including the Study to Work Policy Permit, the work to residence visa, or the skilled migratory permit.