School Immersion in New Zealand – 14-18 years – 1 term to 1 academic year

This programme is for motivated young people aged 14 and a half to 18 who want to study for one term to one academic year (4 terms) in a New Zealand High School. This is a unique opportunity to live alongside young New Zealanders your own age and share the daily life of your host family.

Key points :

  • Rigorous, high-quality supervision – all the schools are approved each year by the New Zealand government
  • Personalised placement – students select their school according to their academic, sporting or artistic interests
  • Great flexibility – accessible from the age of 14.5, with short stays possible on a simple tourist visa
  • An enriching experience – activities and excursions organised all year round at very competitive prices

Why New Zealand?

New Zealand, with its breathtaking landscapes ranging from golden beaches to majestic mountains, offers the perfect backdrop for learning and adventure. Known for the friendliness and warmth of its people, it offers an authentic and enriching cultural immersion. This country, where the world’s unique flora and fauna coexist in preserved ecosystems, is a true paradise for nature lovers. Add to this a rich and vibrant Maori culture, and you have an educational destination like no other. Opting for New Zealand means choosing to learn in an environment where every day is a discovery, combining ancestral traditions with modern innovations.

You can study anywhere in New Zealand. This is a country where geographical distances are very great. The car is the main means of transport and public transport networks are generally underdeveloped. International students coming from Europe where public transport networks are more developed will have to adapt to this difference when studying in New Zealand, and may have to rethink their travel habits by planning their journeys according to the transport options available.

The schools

Secondary schools in New Zealand are distinguished by an education system focused onacademic excellence and personal development. They offer a flexible curriculum that encourages critical thinking and creativity and allows students to progress at their own pace.

In addition, a strong emphasis is placed on extra-curricular activities, ranging from sport to the arts, fostering the holistic development of students. With a strong emphasis on international-mindedness, the schools prepare students to become responsible global citizens.

Our partner works with around thirty schools across the country. You will have the opportunity to select the school of your choice according to availability. The designation of the student’s year of study, the course timetable and the recognition of attendance at the end of the year are left entirely to the discretion of the school in which you are enrolled. The final year (Year 13) is not open to foreign students, as it is exclusively a year of preparation for the school-leaving exam.

The courses

You follow the curriculum in a High School with New Zealand students. Your programme consists of 5 to 7 subjects.

Students are required to take at least 3 academic subjects (maths, science, history, etc.). Students can then complete their timetable with other courses of their choice, depending on availability (photography, art, music, accounting, hotel management, carpentry, etc.)

Inphysical education courses, students can take part in various sports. Some require students to pass a test and pay an additional fee. It is worth mentioning that New Zealand is world famous for rugby and rowing, which allows international students to improve their skills.

New Zealand offers an exceptional school environment, combining quality teaching with breathtaking scenery. Our partner schools are located on both the North Island and the South Island, each with its own unique strengths.

North Island

The North Island is the most populous and cosmopolitan, with around 4 million inhabitants. It is home to Auckland, the country’s largest city, nicknamed “The City of Sails”, and Wellington, the capital. The climate is temperate, ideal for enjoying beaches, volcanoes, natural parks and water sports. It’s a dynamic, multicultural region.

South Island

The South Island is larger and less populated, known for its spectacular scenery: mountains, forests, lakes and wild beaches. The main city is Christchurch, nicknamed the Garden City, and Queenstown, famous for its outdoor activities and extreme sports. The South Island is perfect for nature and adventure lovers.

Kerikeri High School, located in the Northland region of the North Island, stands out for its unique sports academies. It offers international students the chance to follow a traditional school curriculum, while incorporating a sailing or surfing option supervised by professionals in an exceptional natural environment. It’s the ideal way to get the full New Zealand experience!

Surfing Academy option

The surfing programme is for everyone, including beginners! Lessons take place every Friday on the magnificent beaches of Northland. Students learn to read the ocean, respect safety rules, get up on the board and ride the waves in a relaxed and motivating atmosphere.

All the equipment is provided, you just need to bring your energy and motivation! The coaches are passionate about their work, and the emphasis is on individual progress and fun.

Sailing Academy option

This programme is designed for students who already have a basic knowledge of sailing and a good command of English. Traditional lessons take place from Monday to Thursday, with Fridays dedicated to on-the-water training with experienced instructors.

Students learn navigation, regatta tactics, rope work and can also take part in an extra-curricular sailing programme. Training takes place on Lake Manuwai and at Doves Bay marina, with transport provided by the school.

Kerikeri High School has a fleet of 30 boats (Optimists, Sunbursts, Mistrals, 420s, etc.) and works closely with the local sailing club, where students can crew in regattas.

Secondary school in New Zealand covers years 9 to 13. It follows primary school (years 1 to 8).

The New Zealand school year runs from late January to early December. It is divided into two terms.

Each semester comprises two terms of approximately ten weeks each. There is a two-week holiday between each term and the summer holidays (in December/January) last six weeks.

Classes generally run from Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 3.30pm.

Uniforms are compulsory in most schools.

AgeBelgiumFranceNew Zealand
13-142e4eYear 9
14-153e3eYear 10
15-164eSecondeYear 11
16-175ePremièreYear 12
17-186eTerminaleYear 13

Host families are undoubtedly one of the most important elements of the programme. That’s why we attach such importance to selecting them. They choose to host students because they want students to discover and share their way of life and their culture. After being selected on the basis of interviews and references, the family plays an active role in choosing the student they are hosting.

There’s no such thing as a typical family: your host family may or may not have children; it may be a blended family or a single-parent family, a single person whose children no longer live at home, retired people or younger people. It’s not the composition of the family that matters, but their willingness and motivation to share their culture with you. The socio-economic profile of host families can be very different from what you’re used to.

New Zealanders are known for their relaxed lifestyle, their friendliness and their taste for outdoor activities.

You will be accommodated in a single or shared room, with full board. The family may be hosting another student of a different nationality at the same time as you. But in all cases, you will be the only French speaker.

The local correspondent is an experienced person who knows the host families and stays in regular contact with the students. As he or she is able to act quickly in the event of a problem, he or she remains your key contact on site.

He or she will be on hand to answer any questions that may arise once you’re on the ground and to help you with all the formalities. Regular communication will be established with your parents, host family and school to ensure that your experience goes as smoothly as possible.

Finally, you will be given an emergency number so that you can contact someone on site if you have an urgent problem.

At school, you can also count on the support of your school coordinator.

For arrivals in January and July only.

On arrival in New Zealand, students take part in an orientation camp in Auckland. This is compulsory.

Participants are met by our partner’s local team at Auckland airport and follow a three-day programme that allows them to get to know each other, visit the city and ask any final questions about their stay.

Included in the course: return transfers from the airport to the course, full board, accommodation in a shared room, city tour, learning about Maori culture, activity programme.

For students placed outside Auckland, transport costs to the host family are the responsibility of the participant.

If you wish to take part in this programme, you must meet the following criteria:

  • be between 14 and a half and 18 years old (some schools may accept students outside this age range, but applications are made on a case-by-case basis)
  • have a good level of English
  • have achieved good results over the last two school years
  • be up to date with vaccinations for : MMR, whooping cough, meningitis (B, C and W)
  • be willing to make new friends and share the daily life of a host family
  • an interest in learning about other cultures and languages, motivation, maturity and adaptability
  • be in good physical and mental health – students with mild allergies may be accepted provided they do not require special treatment.

Do you meet the conditions for participation?

  1. Fill in the pre-registration form as soon as possible
  2. When we receive it, we’ll send you a provisional confirmation, including the total cost of the stay, and a request for payment of €100 (for the language test and the motivation interview). We will also ask you to send us a copy of your school reports for the last 3 years.
  3. We then invite you to come and take the language test and interview at our offices in Brussels or Paris. This costs €100 and is payable on receipt of the pre-confirmation. This amount is non-refundable, but can be deducted from the balance of your stay if you are definitively enrolled and accepted on the programme.
  4. We will confirm the result no later than 8 days after our interview
  5. If the interview is positive, we ask you to pay a deposit of 25% of the total cost of your stay (with a minimum of €1800) and to complete the online application form, which includes letters of recommendation from your teachers and other information needed for us to study your application on site.
  6. Final acceptance to the programme is granted by our partner
  7. Once your application has been accepted, our partner begins the search for and selection of a host family and school

The registration and application deadlines are as follows:

  • Arrival in January: 3/11/25
  • Arrival in April: 27/02/26
  • Arrival in July: 8/05/26

The balance of the programme must be paid on the following dates:

  • Arrival in January: 10/11/25
  • Arrival in April: 13/03/26
  • Arrival in July: 15/05/26

Late registrations can be considered up to 8 weeks before arrival, but are subject to a late registration fee of 250 euros.

Once your enrolment has been accepted and confirmed by our partner, and your visa application has been approved, we can book your travel to New Zealand (Auckland Airport), if you wish. The ticket booked includes as few stopovers as possible and can be changed.

In the event of a change, the airline’s change fees will apply (these vary depending on the airline, generally around €200), as well as any difference in fare class.

If you prefer to book your trip yourself, we will provide you with all the information you need to make your reservation. Here are a few details:

  • Arrival airport: Auckland (AKL)
  • Arrival between 9.00 am and 2.00 pm*

*Arrival before 9:00 am: supplement of approximately €135

*Arrival after 2pm: €85 supplement

A student visa is required to take part in this programme. It will be issued for the duration of your enrolment. We will provide you with all the documents you need to obtain a visa, and will help you with all the formalities.

More information

Dates & Prices 2026

Students must arrive and depart on the following dates:

Dates 2026

Arrival in January

  • 1 term : 21/01 – 4/04
  • 2 terms : 21/01 – 4/07
  • 3 terms : 21/01 – 26/09
  • 4 terms : 21/01 – 5/12

Arrival in April

  • 1 term : 18/04 – 4/07
  • 2 terms : 18/04 – 26/09
  • 3 terms : 18/04 – 5/12
  • 4 terms : 18/04 – tbc

Arrival in July

  • 1 term : 15/07 – 26/09
  • 2 terms : 15/07 – 5/12
  • 3 terms : 15/07 – tbc
  • 4 terms : 15/07 – tbc

Dates 2027

Arrival in January

  • 1 term : 27/01 – 10/04
  • 2 terms : 27/01 – 3/07
  • 3 terms : 27/01 – 25/09
  • 4 terms : 27/01 – 4/12

Arrival in April

  • 1 term : 24/04 – 3/07
  • 2 terms : 24/04 – 25/09
  • 3 terms : 24/04 – 4/12
  • 4 terms : 24/04 – tbc

Arrival in July

  • 1 term : 14/07 – 25/09
  • 2 terms : 14/07 – 4/12
  • 3 terms : 14/07 – tbc
  • 4 terms : 14/07 – tbc

Prices 2026

**Fares with flights subject to ticket prices at time of booking

Below are the prices of some of the schools offered as part of our programme in New Zealand. Don’t hesitate to contact us for the full list: depending on the student’s interests, our local partner will be able to recommend 2 or 3 schools that best match their profile.

WPCS 42.0.3
Tuition, homestay, full board, registration fees included - flights not included
Schools1 term (Jan/Jul)2 terms (Jan)3 terms (Jan)4 terms (Jan)2 terms (jul)
Takapuna Grammar*€ 7.730€ 13.445€ 19.630€ 24.860€ 13.315
Waiheke High School*€ 7.130€ 12.385€ 18.085€ 22.885€ 12.260
Onehunga High School*€ 7.757€ 12.730€ 18.315€ 22.890€ 12.600
Ōtūmoetai College€ 7.615€ 13.615€ 19.770€ 25.000€ 25.000
Te Puke High School€ 7.185€ 12.500€ 18.200€ 22.715€ 22.715
Tauhara College€ 7.270€ 12.245€ 17.770€ 22.200€ 22.200
Awatapu College€ 7.185€ 11.645€ 19.115€ 21.690€ 21.685
Waimea CollegeNA€ 12.785€ 18.260€ 22.545€ 22.545
Avonside Girls' High School€ 7.245€ 12.385€ 17.945€ 22.660€ 22.660
Kaiapoi High School€ 7.185€ 12.270€ 17.915€ 22.430€ 22.430
Lincoln High School€ 7.560€ 12.730€ 17.515€ 22.145€ 22.145
*Transfer from Auckland Welcome Camp to the host family is included.
Supplements
Return flights from Brussels or Paris airport**€ 2.200
Auckland Welcome Camp€ 630

The above prices include :

  • An English level test and pre-application interview
  • Assistance from our local partner in selecting a school
  • Enrolment fees at the selected school
  • The cost of finding a host family
  • Accommodation with a host family, in a single or shared room, full board
  • Reception in Auckland and transfer to the orientation location, if required
  • Assistance, support and follow-up throughout the stay
  • Regular contact and evaluation reports
  • An official certificate of attendance, including grades for courses taken, depending on the destination
  • All documents required to obtain a visa
  • Medical insurance

Not included:

  • Return travel to Auckland (we can book this for you if you wish – €2,200 package)**
  • Additional costs in the event of late arrival (between €85 and €135 – subject to change)
  • Return transfers outside the arrival and departure dates
  • Mandatory orientation course in Auckland (in January and July)
  • Transfer from Auckland to the host family (for students placed outside Auckland)
  • Optional school excursions and activities
  • Personal expenses (telephone, local transport, hygiene products, etc.) – allow approximately $250 pocket money per month
  • Weekday lunches during school term time
  • Additional costs for special dietary requirements (vegetarian, glucose intolerance, etc.)
  • School-related expenses (uniform, computer, excursions, transport, etc.) – allow $600 (this amount may vary depending on the school)
  • Fees for certain optional subjects (Outdoor Education for example)
  • Additional fees for surfing and sailing academies
  • Visa fees
  • Late enrolment fees (€250)
  • Cancellation insurance

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