Why do some Indian students consider New Zealand as a favourite destination for higher study?
Earlier Indian students used to go for higher studies in Great Britain and in the USA. Very few students from India would also go to Canada for higher studies. But, nowadays, more and more Indian students are opting for other countries for this purpose. New Zealand has become a favourite destination for many such students who complete their higher studies in this small but exquisitely beautiful and serene country. Here I am mentioning very briefly the reasons for chosing New Zealand as a preferred destination for higher studies.(i) New Zealand cities are comparatively nearer to most of the Indian metro cities. A person in Mumbai can reach Wellington (capital city of New Zealand) in approximately 8 hours 30 minutes by air.
(ii) The people in New Zealand speak English. This provides a huge advantage for Indian students.
(iii) The people of New Zealand are generally friendly to foreign students including Indians.
(iv) Indian students can get Indian food in almost all major cities of New Zealand. Many Indians have settled there.
(v) New Zealand is marginally less costly than the UK or the USA. This factor makes the country a favourite destination for higher studies.
(vi) Like other western countries, bigger cities in New Zealand also provide opportunities to Indian students to work part-time and earn money.
(vii) Many higher educational institutes in New Zealand, like Auckland University of Technology, University of Otago, University of Canterbury, Victoria University of Wellington, etc. are top-class universities in the world and provide scholarships and fee-waivers for deserving foreign students.
(viii) Finally, the serene, pollution-free environment, easy lifestyle and less competition provide an excellent opportunity for study and later settling in this beautiful country.
All the above factors have made New Zealand a favourite destination for many aware Indian students planning to go abroad for higher studies.
