School immersion in New Zealand – 15-18 years old – 1 semester to 1 school year

This program is designed for motivated young people aged 15 to 18 who want to study for a semester or a school year (4 terms) in a New Zealand high school. It’s a unique opportunity to live alongside New Zealanders your own age, and to share the daily life of your host family.

Why New Zealand ?

New Zealand, with its breathtaking landscapes ranging from golden beaches to majestic mountains, offers a perfect backdrop for learning and adventure. Known for the kindness and warm welcome of its people, it provides an authentic and enriching cultural immersion. This country, where unique wildlife and flora coexist in preserved ecosystems, is a true paradise for nature lovers. Add to that a rich and vibrant Maori culture, and you have an unparalleled educational destination. Opting for New Zealand means choosing to learn in an environment where every day is a discovery, amidst ancestral traditions and modern innovations.

Programs can take place anywhere in New Zealand. It is a country where geographical distances are significant. The car is the primary means of transportation, and public transportation networks are generally underdeveloped. International students coming from Europe where public transportation networks are more developed will need to adapt to this difference when studying in New Zealand, and may need to reconsider their transportation habits by planning their journeys according to the available transport options.

Schools

Secondary schools in New Zealand are distinguished by an educational system focused on academic excellence and personal development. They offer a flexible curriculum that encourages critical thinking and creativity, underlined by the NCEA qualification system which allows students to progress at their own pace.

Furthermore, great importance is placed on extracurricular activities, ranging from sports to arts, fostering holistic development of students. The pedagogical approach is inclusive and supportive, creating an environment where every student is valued. With a strong emphasis on international openness, schools prepare students to become responsible global citizens.

Students are placed in public schools. The designation of the student’s year of study, class schedule, and recognition of attendance at the end of the year are left entirely to the discretion of the school in which they are enrolled. The final year (Year 13) is not accessible to foreign students, as this year is exclusively a preparation year for the end-of-school examination.

Classes generally run from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.

Courses

You follow the school curriculum in a high school alongside New Zealand students. Your program consists of 5 to 7 subjects that you choose from those offered by the school.

The compulsory subjects typically include English, mathematics, and sciences.

Some schools also offer specializations in certain subjects such as music, oriental languages, computer science, theater, robotics, graphic design, etc.

In New Zealand, secondary school covers years 9 to 13, following primary school (years 1 to 8).

The New Zealand school year starts at the end of January and finishes in early December. It is divided into two semesters.

Each semester consists of two terms of approximately ten weeks each. There are two weeks of vacation between each term, and the summer holidays (in December/January) last six weeks.

Classes typically take place from Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.

Uniforms are mandatory in the majority of schools.

AgeBelgiumFranceNew Zealand
13-142è secondaireQuatrièmeYear 9
14-153è secondaireTroisièmeYear 10
15-164è secondaireSecondeYear 11
16-175è secondairePremièreYear 12
17-186è secondaireTerminaleYear 13

Host families are volunteers and are arguably the most important element of the program. This is why we place great importance on their selection. They choose to host students because they want to share and introduce their way of life and culture. After being selected based on interviews and references, the family actively participates in choosing the student they will host.

There is no typical family; the family that will host you may have children or not, they may be a blended family or a single-parent family, a single person whose children no longer live at home, retirees, or younger individuals. It is not the composition of the family that matters, but their availability and motivation to share their culture with you. The socio-economic profile of host families can vary greatly from what you are accustomed to.

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

You will be accommodated in a single or shared room and provided with full board. It is possible that the family may host another student from a different nationality at the same time as you, but in any case, you will be the only speaker of your native language, if other than English.

It is possible for a student to be hosted by several families consecutively during their stay.

The local coordinator is an experienced individual who knows the host families and stays in regular contact with the students. As they are able to act promptly in case of any issues, they remain your primary contact on-site.

They will be there to answer any questions that may arise once you are there and assist you with all your procedures. Regular communication is established with your parents, host family, and school to ensure that the experience goes smoothly.

Lastly, an emergency number will be provided to you so that you can contact someone on-site in case of urgent issues.

In order for your stay to go as smoothly as possible and for you to be informed about the various aspects of the program, you will have the opportunity to attend an orientation meeting organized by Langues Vivantes in Brussels, during the month of June. This meeting allows Langues Vivantes students to meet each other and exchange questions and experiences with each other and with the Langues Vivantes team. Former participants are also invited to share their experiences. It is also during this meeting that the final administrative formalities are initiated.

Upon arrival in New Zealand, students participate in a mandatory orientation workshop in Auckland. They are welcomed by the local team of our partner at Auckland airport and undergo a two-day program that allows them to get acquainted, explore the city, and ask any final questions about their stay.

Included in the workshop are round-trip transfers from the airport to the workshop venue, full board, and accommodation in shared rooms.

If you wish to join this program, you must meet the following criteria :

  • Be between 15 and 18 years old (the student cannot be older than 18 years and 6 months on the last day of the program).
  • Have a good level of English (the student must achieve a minimum score of 5.5 on the IELTS*).
  • Have achieved good academic results in the past two school years.
  • Be vaccinated against COVID.
  • Have the willingness to make new friends and share the daily life of a host family.
  • Demonstrate an interest in studying other cultures and languages, as well as motivation, maturity, and adaptability.”

Do you meet the conditions for participations ?

  1. Please fill out the pre-registration form as soon as possible.
  2. Upon receipt, we will send you a provisional confirmation, including the total amount of the stay, and a request for a €100 deposit (for the language test and motivational interview). We will also ask you to send us a copy of your school reports for the past 3 years.
  3. We then invite you to come for the language test and interview at our offices in Brussels or Paris. This costs €100 and is payable upon receipt of the pre-confirmation. This amount is non-refundable but deductible from the balance of the stay in case of final registration and acceptance into the program.
  4. We will confirm the result to you 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 amount of the stay (with a minimum of €1800) and to complete the online application, which includes letters of recommendation from your teachers and other necessary information for the study of your file on-site.
  6. The final acceptance into the program is granted by our partner.
  7. Once your application is accepted, our partner begins the search and selection of a host family and school.

The registration and application deadlines are :

  • 08/30 for a departure in January
  • 01/30 for a departure in July

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

The exact dates of the stay are determined after acceptance into the program by our partner.

Once your registration is accepted and confirmed by our partner, and your visa application is approved, we can arrange to book your travel to New Zealand if you wish.

The booked ticket includes the fewest possible layovers and is changeable.

In case of changes, airline modification fees apply (these vary depending on the airline, typically around 200€) plus any potential fare class difference.

If you prefer to book your own travel, we will provide you with all the necessary information to proceed with the booking.

A student visa is required to participate in this program. It will be issued for the duration of the enrollment. We provide you with all the necessary documents for obtaining it and assist you throughout the process.

More info

Dates & Tarifs 2025

Dates 2025

  • 1 academic year : 01/30 – 11/29
  • First semester : 01/30 – 06/28
  • Second semester : 07/03 – 11/29

Students must arrive and depart on the aforementioned dates without exception.

Tarifs 2025

*Prices including flights are subject to change based on the ticket prices at the time of booking.

WPCS 42.0.3
TUITION, ACCOMMODATION, FULL BOARD, REGISTRATION FEES INCLUDED
DuréeWithout flightsWith flights*
1 academic semester€ 12.695€ 14.695
1 academic year€ 14.495€ 16.495

The above prices include :

  • English proficiency test and preliminary interview for candidacy
  • Enrollment in a public school
  • Host family search fees
  • Accommodation with a host family, in a single or shared room, with half-board during the week and full board on weekends
  • Orientation workshop in Auckland (2 days/2 nights)
  • Round-trip transfers from the airport to the orientation venue and from the airport to the host family
  • Assistance, support, and monitoring throughout the stay
  • Regular contacts and assessment reports
  • Official participation certificate with grades for attended courses according to the destination
  • All necessary documents for obtaining the visa
  • Travel insurance (AIG Insurance)
  • Round-trip flight if chosen, departing from Brussels or Paris

Not included :

  • The round-trip travel according to the chosen option
  • Visa fees (approximately $330)
  • Optional school excursions and activities
  • Personal expenses (phone, local transportation, etc.), estimated at $400-450 per month. An additional fund of $500 is recommended at the beginning of the program and $250 at the end of the program.
  • Weekday lunch expenses during the school term
  • School-related expenses (uniform, computer, excursions, transportation, etc.) – estimated at $500 per trimester
  • Round-trip transfers outside the scheduled dates of stay (€250)
  • Optional insurances
  • Depending on the school and duration, school uniform
  • Any additional expenses related to Covid (e.g., quarantine, tests, etc.)
  • Late registration fees (€250)

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