Kavanagh College New Zealand

New Zealand has been a choice destination for international students studying in high schools and tertiary institutions from Asia since the mid 1980s. In the early 1990s, the institutions set out to market more efficiently and the numbers have risen steadily since that time. 

Students choosing to study in New Zealand are frequently independent in choice and have made a decision to explore less well-known  destinations. Many come because of the reputation New Zealand has for a high- quality English-based  education with a wonderful natural environment. 

The ever-increasing number of  international students seeking to study in Dunedin, New Zealand has highlighted the strength that this  destination has for students seeking to develop international qualifications in a low-cost, highly-integrated, safe environment. Schools in the city are supported by the city authorities. All students and parents of international students receive a welcome pack from the mayor and other civic leaders. The cities have a high  focus on education, and the large number of young people makes it a very lively and  youthful place to live. Students coming to Dunedin frequently begin in a secondary  school and then proceed to either the Polytechnic or University for graduate study. Qualifications gained are recognized internationally, and this adds to the attraction of study here. 

Dunedin city has a population of 120,000,  but there are 24,000 tertiary  students who  come to the city from throughout New Zealand and overseas. The university has  3,000 international students, with groups coming from Asia, the Middle East, the Pacific Island and North America. The secondary schools have 250 international students spread among seven schools. The largest group is in Kavanagh College, where there are sixty students from fourteen countries and four continents. 

Secondary schools focus their enrolment on Asia, but some schools such as Kavanagh College have specialized in broadening their base with students from Europe (Germany, Norway and the Czech Republic) and Brazil. The policy of having small numbers from each country has assisted the school to integrate the various international groups and to maintain a good pastoral atmosphere. 

A key attraction for students coming to the South of New Zealand is the easy access to both a cultural environment where theatre and music are important parts of the city fabric, and to experience the peculiar New Zealand focus on sports. Rugby and netball are high-profile sports in the city, and international students find these two codes a challenge. They soon get involved in the student culture at the stadium and enjoy the fun associated with sport. New Zealanders like sport and exercise, and there are plenty of opportunities for recreation everywhere you go. 

Within three hours of the city, you will find access to international skiing facilities and world-class adventure tourism. Most students enjoy the opportunity to visit these places while they are in the country. Parents visiting students enjoy the opportunity to combine family time with a quality tourist experience, where the low NZ dollar makes activities very cheap. 

Recent market research showed that students chose Dunedin as a destination for learning because it was so focused as a city on education. The large University of 17,000 with its medical, dental, law science, commerce and arts faculties makes / a great backdrop for the city. It is the largest economic activity in the city, and it is well known that the history of this relatively new country has been shaped by early settlers wishing for an educated community. Early in the history of ' the province, the first schools were built in Otago; in 1869 the first university in New Zealand was built in Dunedin. The university has a proud tradition based on the Cambridge and Oxford model. At the same time, three of the country's first secondary schools were established. Otago Boys High School and Otago Girls High School, along with the founding school of Kavanagh College, were built in the late 1860s. All three schools have become landmarks in the city and have developed strong reputations for excellence in scholarship, sport and cultural activities. 

Mara Fiedler from Hamlin in Germany came to New Zealand in July 2000. She came for one year to study at Kavanagh College. The Principal, Mr Ferris, had visited her  home in Germany to arrange the study after she contacted the New Zealand Consulate in Hamburg. Mara fell in love with New Zealand, and after a great deal of consideration has decided to stay and complete her secondary studies here. The flexibility of the New Zealand qualification at senior level meant that she could focus on subject strengths and gain really good marks for her study. Now she is at the top of her class in English, History, and Drama. She is also the stage manager in the school production of 'Jesus Christ SuperStar' and loves working with the school theatre and IT equipment. She plans to work in the media after graduation from school. Mario Hertanto and Dion Ardlingga come from Jakarta. Mario's two brothers have both graduated from the College and gone on to university in New Zealand and Australia. Mario and his friend Dion decided to follow in the Hertanto family experience, and have challenged themselves by doing a final year course for entry to university, as well as taking part in music groups and playing soccer. The school soccer team is a 'united nations' of talented players from around the world.

CONTACT

Kavanagh College

Rattray Street
PO Box 737
Dunedin New Zealand

64 3 477-3408

64 3 479-0468

E Mail: kavanagh@kavanagh.school.nz

Web: www.kavanagh.school.nz