Next possible start dates: January 2027! Apply now!

What could your school days look like on the other side of the world? In New Zealand, you could be sharing classes with Kiwi teenagers, trying a new sport after school and getting to know your host family over dinner. Beyond the classroom, mountains, beautiful coastlines and outdoor adventures offer plenty to discover. Studying here is also an opportunity to learn about Māori heritage and the diverse communities that shape life in New Zealand. For high school students, it’s a chance to build confidence in English, form friendships and find your place in a different way of life.

Nacel's Classic High School Exchange in New Zealand is a cultural immersion program for students aged 13 to 18 who have studied English for at least two years (native English speakers are welcome too). Students attend a co-educational state high school in Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand's South Island, and live with a host family on full board. The school has about 2300 local students and around 75 international students, and every exchange student receives local support and 24/7 emergency assistance.

Be an exchange student in Christchurch, New Zealand

New Zealand is home to extreme sports, spectacular scenery, friendly people and world-class education. The school is well known throughout New Zealand for academic excellence and for its arts and music programs. It also places a strong emphasis on outdoor education (tramping, kayaking, climbing and snow caving).

What should I expect from my school year in New Zealand?

During your exchange you will:

• improve your English quickly, at school and at the dinner table,
• live like a local, with a host family,
• try something new every season, with kayaking, rock climbing, snowcraft, and mountain biking built into the school year,
• become more independent, confident, and culturally aware.

Exchange students are fully integrated into school life. They join sports teams, music groups, cultural groups, and school and community events, as well as special activities for international students.

Subjects, grades, and academic credits

Before enrolling, meet with your school counselor at home to find out how your school or education authority will recognize a study abroad year. Requirements vary, so confirm this early.

Your exchange in New Zealand comes with a different seasonal rhythm. Located in the Southern Hemisphere, the country enjoys summer when the Northern Hemisphere is in winter, so keep this in mind when planning your time abroad.

• What you'll study. Students typically take English plus five subjects of their choice. From Year 12, they can specialize in Arts, Sciences, Foreign Languages (French and Spanish), Social Sciences, or Technology. Exchange students are generally placed in Year 12 or Year 13, depending on their experience and English level. Specialist classrooms for science, technology, and computing are available, along with a well-resourced library.
• English support. Students who need it receive 4 to 10 hours of ESL tuition per week.
• Qualifications. Year 13 is the graduation year, with University Entrance exams in November. A full academic year is required to earn New Zealand qualifications. Exchange students are eligible for the exams but usually don't take them, since they carry entry fees.
• Please note. Grade placement, transfer of credits, and a diploma are not guaranteed. These decisions rest with the education authorities in your home country and in New Zealand. Some students may need to repeat a grade at home, so we encourage you to clarify the process before departure. Your Nacel counselor can guide you.
• If you don't need academic credit, that's fine too. A year in New Zealand builds language skills, independence, and international experience that strengthen your academic and professional profile.

School uniforms and daily life

Students are required to wear a school uniform. The school year usually starts in late January or early February and finishes in December. Classes generally run from around 8:45 am to 3:30 pm, Monday to Friday. The year has four terms, with school holidays between them. 

Study Abroad in Christchurch

The College in Christchurch is a large school with extensive grounds and buildings, several grass playing fields, tennis/netball courts and a gymnasium that provide an excellent range of physical activities. 

Key features: 

• A real school community. Rock bands, orchestras, jazz, dance, and local and national sporting competitions are part of school culture. Choose from dozens of sports, from rugby and netball to rowing and skiing, plus music, drama, debating, photography, and Māori and Pasifika culture groups.
• A comfortable home. Each student has their own furnished, heated bedroom, three meals a day, and regular laundry. In return, students adapt to family routines and join in family life.
• A smooth start. You're met at Christchurch Airport and transferred to your host family. Before classes begin, you attend a school orientation and meet senior teachers to plan your courses.
• A strong support network. A school homestay coordinator matches students with families and resolves issues. 

A safe, welcoming city. Christchurch is a clean, green city of 320 000 inhabitants with parks, beaches, walking and mountain biking tracks, and ski fields within reach.

Who is the Classic high school exchange in New Zealand for?

This program may be a good choice for students who:

• love the outdoors and an active lifestyle,
• want to join school life through sports, music, or the arts,
• are flexible and happy to adapt to a host family's routines,
• want an immersive experience in a large, safe city with easy access to nature.
  

Student experiences in Christchurch

Imagine starting your day with breakfast at your host family's table, walking to school with new friends, and spending weekends kayaking, climbing, or exploring the South Island. Over time, nervousness becomes confidence, and Christchurch starts to feel like home.

"Now, when I think about New Zealand, I feel that the school was a very kind and relaxing place. I remember that many people helped me with a smile. It was a really comfortable place for me, and now I’m feeling thankful to my class teacher, international teacher, Kiwi friends, international friends, my host family, and all the people I met in New Zealand. If I have a chance, I’m thinking that I want to go back to Christchurch someday." Katsumi, from Japan