There is no limit to what subject you can take up and which country you choose and so why not have a look at New Zealand?[break]
New Zealand is an island-country in the south-western Pacific Ocean known for spectacular landscapes and extensive grassy plains. Also, the New Zealanders have widely traveled and are known to have a great interest in people from other cultures. So it’s obvious that they make international students feel very comfortable.
According to Shyam Bhandari, managing director, Rohini International Educational Consultancy, the best thing about New Zealand is that The Ministry of Education there has a Code of Practice that provides a framework for looking after international students. This system covers pastoral care, accommodation and provision of information.
New Zealand has eight government-funded universities and 25 polytechnics or institutes of technology. The main difference between universities and polytechnics is that a university course focuses more on academic programs whereas the olytechnics offer courses that stresses on practical training. Over the recent years both types of institutions have expanded their range of programs and now there is a significant overlap between universities and polytechnics.
Talking about the kind of courses a Nepali student can take up, he says, “There are no specific subjects; a student can take up any subject of their choice.” However, he does advise students to choose the same subject they were doing earlier because otherwise the visa application might be difficult.
After the completion of a three-year bachelor’s in Nepal a student is eligible to apply for a master’s degree in New Zealand. Students, however, require securing an average of around 80 percent in their course. Although the range of marks is quite high, it does not mean that a student securing less than 80 percent can’t migrate to study in the country.
“Students with lesser marks can choose to do a one-year post-graduate diploma course. This type of course does not require high grades because it is a level-eight course. It is equivalent to a Master’s degree,” informed Bhandari.
Another aspect of New Zealand education according to him is that it is comparatively affordable compared to Australia, Canada and a few other countries. A student can take up an educational loan and there is no requirement of a bank deposit. Also, a student is not required to pay tuition fees before the arrival of their visa. “This makes it easy for the students who do not get an accepted visa, for the hassle of the refunding of the paid amount is removed,” explained Bhandari.
Universities in New Zealand offer many such subjects that could be of interest especially for Nepali students, said Namita Shresta, associated with the New Zealand Consulate, and Assistant New Zealand’s Honorary Consul in Kathmandu, Elizabeth Hawley. “Subjects like forestry, environment and film-making are offered there, which if taken up by Nepali students can be beneficial to both them and the country,” she explained.
Regarding working during your stay in the country, a student generally is allowed to do 20 hours of work a week and this includes within and outside campus jobs. During vacation a student is allowed full time work.
After completing their course a student is generally allowed a year’s visa extension to look for work. Provided you pass your course and continue to meet the requirements of your student visa, you can continue to extend your visa for as long as you wish. There is no limit on the time you can spend in New Zealand as a student.
Students need to learn that there is no Embassy of New Zealand in Nepal. All the forms are directly forwarded to the New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi, India. For more information students can visit the New Zealand Consulate at Dillibazzar, Kathmandu.
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