17 July 2024 at 10:00 am
Neuseeland still a popular destination for German High School students
In 2023, the schools’ subsector saw a strong recovery from German high school students where interest in Aotearoa New Zealand as a study destination remains high. A recent farewell event in Frankfurt, attended by the New Zealand Ambassador to Germany, Craig Hawke, saw another large contingent of students embark on their high school adventure in New Zealand.
Germany takes the number one spot in all of Europe for the number of international students it sends to New Zealand and the fourth largest in the world for sending high school students after China, Japan, and South Korea. In 2023, 1,417 German students were enrolled at high schools across New Zealand which represented 10% of the total number of school students in the country.
There are positive signs that this number will continue to increase in 2024. 82 high school students were recently farewelled by the New Zealand Ambassador to Germany, Craig Hawke, and Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ’s) Associate Director of Engagement in Germany, Olga Elli at an event at Frankfurt Main Airport on Sunday 14 July.
The event was organised by Study Nelson, a Nelson-based education agency, that supports German students to find a high school in New Zealand, mainly in the Nelson-Marlborough area. The event was an opportunity for the students, aged between 14 and 19, to meet and engage with each other before they embark on their international study adventure. The students will spend between three and 18 months in New Zealand, depending on their programme and some plan to complete their NCEA Level 3 university entrance here.
One particularly excited member of the group included Emely Soffel, the I AM NEW scholarship winner from 2019, who due to the pandemic, had to wait five years to make her New Zealand study abroad dream come true.
Ambassador Hawke with high school student Emely Soffel, the 2019 I AM NEW scholarship winner who was not able to travel during Covid. They are pictured here with ENZ’s Associate Director of Engagement in Germany, Olga Elli.
Olga said that Germany’s strong recovery in the high school subsector can be attributed to the experienced German agent network who have had long-standing and enduring relationships with high schools back in New Zealand.
“These agents have been building strong bridges between Germany and New Zealand for several years now, some for decades, and have made positive impacts for thousands of young people.
“They have such a deep understanding of the unique offerings that our high schools in New Zealand provide and are an invaluable service to students when trying to decide where to study,” said Olga
She added “German students love coming to New Zealand especially for the opportunity to try out subjects that aren’t typically offered at German high schools. Subjects like outdoor education, fashion design, marine biology, and food technology for example, are always really popular choices.
Ambassador Hawke mingled with the students and enjoyed hearing about their chosen schools in New Zealand. In his farewell speech to the group, he wished them a warm ‘Haere rā/farewell and said, “I invite you all to make the most of the excellent educational experience on offer in our country and also the opportunity to immerse yourself in our diverse culture. I hope you all become lifelong ambassadors for New Zealand.”
Ambassador Hawke farewells the students at Frankfurt Main Airport.
