Nurturing Well-being: A Guide for International Students in New Zealand
When choosing a study abroad destination, there are several factors to consider, such as the university and its courses, cost of living, availability of financial aid, social life, and post-study work opportunities. However, one crucial factor that often gets overlooked is mental health and well-being support. There are two things that international students have to face in the first few weeks of arriving in a new country: homesickness and culture shock.
Fortunately, if you’re considering studying in New Zealand, you’ll be pleased to know that it has a robust International Student Well-being Strategy in place to ensure that the mental health of its international students is not neglected. Studying in New Zealand can be a life-transforming experience for any international student. With the country’s focus on mental health and well-being, you can rest assured that you’ll be cared for during your time there.
Homesickness
Homesickness is the feeling of missing your family and friends, culture, food, and everything else that makes you feel at home. It can affect your mood, motivation, and academic performance. In some cases where students already have a predisposition to mental sickness, homesickness and cultural shock can make things worse for them as it can make them feel isolated and lonely in a new environment.
Here are some ways to deal with homesickness and make your transition to New Zealand easier:
- Stay in touch with loved ones: Thanks to technology, you can communicate with your family and friends through phone calls, video chats, social media, and other messaging apps. Try to share your experiences, feelings, and challenges with them. They can offer you emotional support and comfort.
- Make new friends: Building a social network is one of the best ways to overcome homesickness in New Zealand. You can meet new people through your university, clubs, societies, events, sports, or volunteering. You can also join online communities and forums for international students in New Zealand. You will find people who share your interests, hobbies, values, or culture. You will also get a chance to learn from their perspectives and experiences.
- Explore your new surroundings: New Zealand is a beautiful country with diverse landscapes featured in famous movies like Lord of the Rings and Mission Impossible, to name a few. You can discover its natural wonders, historical sites, cultural attractions and urban delights. You can also try new things like hiking, skiing, surfing, or bungee (The first commercial bungee company was founded in New Zealand). Exploring your new surroundings will help you appreciate the opportunities and benefits of studying in New Zealand.
- Seek professional help if needed: If your homesickness is severe and affecting your daily functioning, you may need professional help. Talk to a counsellor, psychologist or therapist who can help you cope with your emotions and adjust to your new environment. Most universities in New Zealand offer free or low-cost counselling services for international students.
Culture shock
Another challenge international students face when studying in New Zealand is culture shock. Culture shock is the confusion, anxiety, or discomfort arising from encountering a different culture. It can affect your communication, behaviour, values, beliefs, and expectations. Culture shock can also make you feel frustrated, angry, or depressed.
There are some ways to ease into a new culture and make your adaptation to New Zealand smoother. Here are some tips:
- Learn about New Zealand’s culture: Before you arrive in New Zealand, do a bit of research about its history, geography, politics, economy, society, and customs. You can also read books, articles, and blogs like this one or watch videos about New Zealand culture. You can also talk to people who have lived or studied in New Zealand before. This will help you prepare for what to expect and avoid potential misunderstandings or conflicts.
- Respect and appreciate cultural differences: When you arrive in New Zealand, you will encounter people who have different ways of thinking, speaking, acting, or behaving than you. Instead of judging or rejecting them, try to respect and appreciate their cultural differences. You can ask questions, listen actively, observe carefully, and be open-minded. You can also share your own culture with them and find common ground.
- Learn the Local Language: Even though English is the most common spoken language in New Zealand, the way their accent and slang are could make it hard to understand. Learning about the nuisance of their way of speaking English will help you break the language barrier and make you feel more included.
How does New Zealand support the mental health and well-being of international students?
New Zealand is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for international students and enhancing their experience and outcomes in the country. The New Zealand government has developed the International Student Well-being Strategy, which sets out four focus areas for supporting international students:
- Economic well-being: Ensuring that international students have access to affordable and suitable accommodation, transport, health services, and employment opportunities.
- Education quality: Ensuring that international students receive high-quality education that meets their needs and expectations and that they are protected from substandard or fraudulent providers.
- Social and cultural inclusion: Ensuring that international students feel welcome and valued in their communities and have opportunities to interact with local people and cultures.
- Health and safety: Ensuring that international students are safe from harm and abuse and that they have access to mental health and well-being support.
The strategy also provides funding for initiatives that align with its mission and strategic priorities. The funding comes from the [Export Education Levy], a fee paid by education providers for each international student they enrol. The funding is available through small grants (up to $10,000) and large grants (up to $150,000) for projects that aim to improve the well-being of international students.
Some examples of the funded projects are:
- NZISA Mental Health Conference 2018: The first student-led mental health conference in New Zealand, which attracted more than a hundred international and local students, health professionals, and professionals in the international education sector. The conference imparted knowledge on coping with mental health, supporting others struggling with mental health, identifying gaps and proposing solutions for education institutions and the sector at large.
- STeudaemonia: An international student radio show/podcast produced at the Plains FM Community Access Radio Station in Canterbury. The international student broadcasters use their air time to address topics which are relevant and important to them and their peers, such as homesickness, participating in life in Christchurch, how to deal with pressures such as exams and finding work, dealing with the New Zealand winter, and flatting with Kiwis.
- International Student Well-being Hub: A website providing information, resources, and support for New Zealand international students and their families. The website covers topics such as health, safety, education, finance, employment, accommodation, transport, culture, and community.
The International Student Well-being Strategy is designed to protect and enhance New Zealand’s reputation as a safe and welcoming study destination. It is based on consultation with international students about what would make the most significant difference to their experience in New Zealand. The strategy is also aligned with the New Zealand International Education Strategy 2018-2030, which sets the vision and goals for the country’s international education sector.
How to take care of your mental health and well-being as an international student in New Zealand?
There are many ways you can support your mental health and well-being as an international student in New Zealand, such as:
- Stay connected: Keep in touch with your family and friends back home, and make new friends in New Zealand. Join clubs, societies, or groups that interest you, or volunteer for a cause you care about. Participate in cultural events and activities that celebrate your identity and diversity.
- Seek support: Reach out to your teachers, classmates, or peers if you have any academic or personal problems. Talk to a counsellor, psychologist, or therapist if you are feeling depressed, anxious, or suicidal. Contact your embassy, consulate, or cultural association if you need legal, financial, or immigration advice.
- Access resources: Use the services and facilities available to you as an international student, such as health centres, libraries, gyms, or student associations. Find information and guidance on the websites of your education provider, the Ministry of Education, or Education New Zealand. Explore the online tools and apps that can help you with your mental health and well-being, such as Mentemia, Melon, or Aunty Dee.
- Take care of yourself: Eat well, sleep well, exercise regularly, and avoid alcohol, drugs, or tobacco. Practice relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises. Engage in hobbies, interests, or passions that make you happy, such as music, art, or sports.
- Be open and positive: Learn about the culture, history, and values of New Zealand, and respect the differences and similarities with your own. Be curious, flexible, and adaptable to your changes and challenges. Be grateful, optimistic, and hopeful for the future.
Mental health and well-being are crucial for the success and happiness of international students studying in New Zealand. While studying abroad can be rewarding, it can also bring many challenges and difficulties that may impact your mental health. As an international student, it is important to take responsibility for your well-being and seek help when needed. This can include staying connected with your family and friends, seeking support from your teachers, peers, or professionals, accessing the resources and services available to you, taking care of your physical and emotional needs, and being open and positive to the new culture and environment.
As a host country, New Zealand is responsible for supporting international students and enhancing their experience in the country. International students can expect to receive their high-quality education that meets their needs and expectations, access to affordable and suitable accommodation, transport, health services, and employment opportunities, feel welcome and valued in their communities, and have access to mental health and well-being support. Additionally, they can benefit from the funding and initiatives provided by the International Student Well-being Strategy, which aims to improve the well-being of international students and protect and enhance New Zealand’s reputation as a safe and welcoming study destination.
Prioritize your well-being as an international student in New Zealand. Learn more about the academic space in New Zealand by booking a 1-on-1 counselling session today!
