84% “positively” evaluate their time in New Zealand.

In accordance with the 2023 International Student Experience survey, which was conducted by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao, 84% of the 4,755 international students who participated—representing more than 70 countries—rated their overall experience as favorable. An additional 83% stated they would suggest the nation as a place to study.

New Zealand is strongly preferred by students “as a place where they can obtain a high quality education while enjoying unique personal development and learning experiences,” according to poll results released by the government agency’s general manager of marketing and communications, Geoff Bilbrough.

It’s also encouraging that 83% of respondents said they would suggest New Zealand based on their own experiences since they plan to tell their friends and family about their travels. The positive word-of-mouth feedback strengthens New Zealand’s position as a top location for overseas education.

78% of respondents stated that the nation was their top choice for a study abroad location, and 64% said that their experience had either met or beyond their expectations. In December, a different survey of 1,100 New Zealanders revealed that 75% of them thought that having international students helps New Zealand. Roughly 81% of respondents stated that foreign students teach native students about different cultures and lifestyles, and 80% emphasized the financial advantages.

Just 57% of respondents in 2016 thought that foreign students aided in the expansion and prosperity of the Kiwi economy. According to the agency, the percentage of respondents who said that hiring international students makes it more difficult for New Zealanders to get employment decreased from 34% in 2018 to 24% in 2023.

Bilbrough continued, “International students have always been a significant contributor to regional economies.”

“The strong understanding and support of the cultural exchanges that occur when international students study alongside New Zealand students and engage in our communities is especially pleasing.”

Notwithstanding, 32% of ENZ respondents indicated that the nation’s housing, transportation, and medical services infrastructure is inadequate to accommodate overseas students. Others expressed worry that certain foreign students may use the educational system to obtain permanent status in New Zealand.

Bilbrough said, “Although the research revealed certain obstacles, there is a clear trend in awareness of the benefits international students bring to New Zealand, which is very positive for the future.”

Prior to his election as prime minister in October of last year, Christopher Luxon’s party made a commitment to extend work rights for some students and their families and to raise the maximum number of hours that overseas students can work while enrolled in classes. The nation’s universities have been under strain; as a result of the pandemic’s decline in enrollment, several of them saw layoffs.