When I was new here, I was so frightened as living alone, particularly when you are on a student visa, is not an easy thing. There’s a lot to serve on our plate, be it studies, work, assignment, financial issues, etc. It’s surprisingly complex.
That is why I would like to share a few things that I had experienced when I was new to this beautiful country.
Whether you’re planning to come to New Zealand or if you’re new in New Zealand with a student visa, there are plenty of things to keep in mind.
Understanding the cost of living
If we go to some other state or country for a trip before we often prepare our budget, the same goes here, but the only difference is that you go on a trip only for a few days or weeks, but when you go abroad you go for at least 2-3 years, and the challenge is when you stay alone in a foreign country without friends and family. New Zealand being an island far away from everywhere else, can be quite an expensive place to live. Depending on where you are coming from, the prices of food, clothing, and consumer goods are going to shock you. If you are facing such a situation or if you are planning to come then make sure to visit New Zealand Immigration website where you will see the Cost of living calculator that will give you a proper breakdown of all everyday expenses and how much you can expect to earn in various cities and industries.
Get the Bank work done ASAP
It is advisable that when you arrive in New Zealand after a day visits the nearest bank and set up your account and get an IRD tax number. Also, ensure you know your tax obligations not just in New Zealand but you can get this knowledge from your home country too.
Home Hunting
Before coming to New Zealand, it’s advisable to find a place to live as this will make life so much easier. Here you have to pay the rents on a weekly whereas utility power and phone bills are paid monthly. It’s a bit difficult thing to find the right place to live especially when you haven’t arrived here but at least you will be saved from the hassle. From trade me you can see the room for yourself or nowadays there are many Facebook groups for international people you can join and make a post that you are searching for a room to rent this will save your time.
Job Hunting
From my experience, when I was on a student visa it was a bit difficult for me to get a part-time job. Remember, if you are coming here on a study visa you are allowed to do a part-time job but on a public holiday you can work full time and you will be paid extra. Once you arrive here start searching for jobs on trade me or seek and also sign up for your university e-career hub, universities every week post a job for students here. Keep an eye on everything. Here when it comes about the job, word of mouth is in demand so build up your connections, meet new people introduce yourself. This might help you and you might get a job.
Be Patient
You must have heard people saying, ‘stay calm and be patient, the right thing will come at the right time.” Here every international student struggle, being an international student, I am still struggling with a lot of things but what at the end matters is to stay calm and be patient. Adapting to life in a new country with a different culture that has its own way of doing things, takes time. Even if you’ve travelled to New Zealand before — and have spent some time doing the one-year working holiday stint — the reality is, you won’t know what makes the society ‘tick’ until you’ve lived there.
Thus, everyone will face some obstacles and barriers along the way, but patience and perseverance will help you find your feet in the end.
