Studying in New Zealand for Vietnamese Students

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How do you like to get a world-class education set in absolutely safe and stunning scenery, surrounded by laid-back and welcoming people? For more than 2,200 Vietnamese students, the choice was not hard to make. Education New Zealand revealed that Vietnam is among the top three Southeast Asian countries in terms of student numbers. A whopping 60% increase on the number of first time student visa applications from VN to NZ was also seen in 2017. Indeed, more and more Vietnamese families are opting to go to New Zealand to get world-class education. Don’t want to get left behind? Read on.

First things first

So you want to pursue your academic dreams in New Zealand? Great! The first and essential steps can be done at the comfort of your home country. Take advantage of online application systems. Most NZ learning institutions have these. Just comply with all the necessary documentary requirements, pay the fees, and you are all set. Once the NZ education provider gives you an Offer of Place, you can now process your student visa.

To lodge your student visa application, you should go to the New Zealand Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Remember to always provide the original documents, along with a backup photocopy of each. Read, read, and read the requirements. More detailed information about Student Visa application for Vietnamese students can be found here <https://www.immigration.govt.nz/documents/checklists/vietnam/checklist-for-vietnam-visitor-visa-general-1.pdf >.

Getting there

Air travel distance between Vietnam and New Zealand is close to 5,700 miles. In terms of a direct flight, this means that you’d clock 11 hours on the plane. This should not be a cause for concern as carriers like Air New Zealand, Vietnam Airlines, and Cathay Pacific have topnotch facilities to make your journey as comfy as possible. Fly from Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi to major NZ regions like Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown.

Getting around NZ is fast and convenient as regions are connected via bus, train, and plane routes.

The Cost

Studying overseas is considered by many to be an investment. Like most major investments, getting a degree in New Zealand can require considerable financial resources. Education fees vary greatly, depending on the type of course you want to pursue. A full list of indicative NZ university fees can be found here <https://www.universitiesnz.ac.nz/sites/default/files/uninz/Fees%20for%20International%20Students%202018.pdf>.

Feel like you won’t be able to afford the fees? Government-sponsored scholarship opportunities for Vietnamese students are available. Learn more about these at <https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/aid-and-development/scholarships/who-can-apply-for-a-scholarship-3/viet-nam-scholarships-2/>. Universities and other learning institutions also offer grants and scholarships. Check their corresponding websites to know the details.

Living costs depend greatly on your lifestyle and location. There are regions that can be more expensive than others. For example Auckland and Wellington have premium weekly rent rates at $ 512 and $ 408, respectively. Southland and West Coast are considerably more affordable at $ 228 and $ 232. The trend is the same when it comes to food. According to the New Zealand Estimated Food Costs for 2018, you will spend $ 61-71 per week to maintain a Basic diet if you are in Wellington. The same is possible for less if you are in Christchurch ($ 57-67).

If you need help in keeping your living costs down, read up on this <https://www.studyinnewzealand.govt.nz/blog/5-ways-cut-your-living-costs-while-you-study-new-zealand/>.

The Opportunities

The Kiwis believe in the “Can-do” attitude and if you imbibe it, there will be great opportunities for you. Getting a student visa in NZ allows you to work a maximum of 20-hours per week, on a part-time basis, while the term is on-going. During the holidays, you can work full-time. While you get quality education, you can earn on the side, and gain practical life experience. What’s not to love about that?

Support Network

Moving away from people and places that are dear to you can be incredibly challenging. Don’t be a stranger! Higher learning institutions like the University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology, and Victoria University of Wellington have associations specific to Vietnamese students. Are you into photography? Are you the world’s number one anime fan? Interest-based groups also abound. Whatever your interest is, you are sure to find kindred spirits out there. All you have to do is be open.

Your time in NZ is a window to meet people from diverse backgrounds. Don’t limit yourself to the familiar. Socialize and find your tribe!

Vietnamese students are flocking to NZ to receive world-class education. Don’t get left behind. Get started on your very own epic New Zealand adventure.

Studying in Australia for Vietnamese Students

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Many Asian students have chosen Australia’s top-notch educational system to advance their studies. Of these, a respectable number comes from Vietnam. Part of this is due to the fact that the country is a top provider of government scholarships to Vietnam since 1970. The other part is the objective quality of the institutions that offer options for international students. If you’re looking to join the trend of your countrymen pursuing studies in the Land Down Under, here’s what you need to know.

Before You Get To Go

The first thing that you need to actually get out of the way is your acceptance into an Australian educational institution as this is a critical requirement. From there, all you need is health insurance and you can apply for a student visa. It costs VND 9,500,000 to acquire but it will last you for five solid years. Once you’re there, you can even apply for a permit to work if you prefer having a part time job to alleviate expenses.

The Flight There

From the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, to Australia is a distance of about 6,000 km give or take. This translates to a travel time of over 8 to 9 hours roughly. That’s assuming that you take a direct flight via Korean Air and are headed to Sydney. To get to Canberra via direct flight is significantly longer at 12 hours and 10 minutes.

The Higher Cost of Living

It’s important to note that there is a significant gap in the costs of living between Vietnam and Australia. On average, prices in Australia are twice as they would be in Vietnam. That includes everything from rent to groceries and even affordable meals at a restaurant. For example, a one-bedroom apartment at a city center will cost you VND 28,000,000 in Australia what would cost only VND 9,000,000 in Vietnam. Most critical market books, in fact, are up to twice or thrice the price that you would pay in Vietnam.

A Higher Income Potential

The good news is that there is an equally noticeable disparity between the minimum wage paid out between the two countries. In Vietnam, that comes down to VND 1,390,000 whereas in Australia, that’s up to VND 45,700,000. Healthcare professions—a very popular career path in Vietnam—can earn as much as VND 1,700,000,000. That’s a hefty fifty times more than what can be earned in Vietnam.

Sixth in Size

There is a very strong and thriving community of Vietnamese in Australia. While they can be found in all corners of the country, they have historically been concentrated in Melbourne and its suburbs. A fun fact is that Nguyen is slowly overtaking Smith as Australia’s most common surname. These communities have housing and even stores owned and operated by Vietnamese immigrants. At over 300,000 Vietnamese all over the major city centers of Australia, it’s much easier to feel closer to home.

Ushering in a New Year

While not widely celebrated in Australia by Australians, Tet Nguyen Dan—the Vietnamese New Year—is celebrated raucously within the thriving Vietnamese community there. While work in Australian-owned companies doesn’t stop, you can expect those in Vietnamese quarters to close down. Many families open their doors to visitors—especially fellow Vietnamese—to allow them to join in the festivities even if they are far from home.

There are some challenges to studying in Australia. But with the potential to earn more and a large community for support, students dreaming of expanding their education to Australia will be well rewarded and, ultimately, not too far from home.