As well as helping with any ‘culture shock’ you may experience, the course helps you to feel okay about being away from your family before school starts. You’ll get to know other students at your school or in your area, as well as your native language support person.
How it works
Each morning students practice their English in a classroom setting, covering things like ‘Kiwi slang’, what to expect in a New Zealand high school, and how to communicate with your host family.
A host of fantastic activities fill the afternoons, such as visits to a local Maori marae (meeting house) and harbour cruises. Tour company presentations will introduce you to some of the world-class tourism attractions you can experience while you’re here.
Course benefits for students
We have found that students who take this course often settle better into their host families and schools. We’ll spend time making sure any students who are home sick or have other problems are well supported before they have to deal with a new school and lessons in English.
Course dates
Courses are held in the last week of the school holidays. Preparation courses are held in Wellington in January, April, July and October, and Auckland in January and July. The Wellington course is for students studying in the lower North Island or South Island, and the Auckland course is for those studying in New Plymouth, Taupo, Whakatane, Tauranga, Auckland etc.