ACCORDING to New Zealand's Ministry of Education, there were about 7000 Indian students in the country in 2009 and it rose to about 8000 in 2010. For a nation located far away, this is quite a large number. New Zealand remains an immensely accessible country for immigration purposes. Over the last three years, there has been a steady rise in the number of students applying to New Zealand for undergraduate courses.

Higher education remains inexpensive as compared to UK, USA. Indian students pursue management and Commerce, Medicine, IT and Pure Sciences in the country. University of Auckland, University of Canterbury, Lincoln University and University of Waikato are the most popular choices. The duration of student visa is initially a year and extended for the duration of the course.

Students can avail of a year’s job search visa after completion of course and get a two-year work permit if they manage to get a job in their area of study. Located in the southern hemisphere, the weather conditions are contrary to India. The winter lasts from June to August while January and February are the warmest months. With various recreational options offered to students, the country is a haven for those who love adventure sports.