NEW ZEALAND: SUMMER
Travel and experience life in another country, learn the language and live with a host family on a summer high school student exchange. The summer program in New Zealand allows students to take part in an exchange during their Canadian school holidays, and experience social and academic life in New Zealand.
HOW LONG CAN I STUDY ABROAD?
July 2025–September 2025
Application due:
Inquire for late application options
(Applications Closed)
Late January 2026–April 2026
Application due:
July 1, 2025
July 2026–September 2026
Application due:
February 7th, 2026
ACCOMMODATION STYLE: HOMESTAY
What better way to learn the culture than to live with a host family. Host families provide a warm and welcoming environment, providing meals in the home as well as an opportunity to immerse yourself in everything the country and culture has to offer. Just like families in Canada, host families abroad represent many different compositions, nationalities and live in a variety of different areas from small towns or villages to larger cities. Families come in all shapes and sizes but one thing they all have in common is that they are motivated to be part of the experience and look forward to welcoming you into their home!
ORIENTATION: 3 DAYS IN AUCKLAND
Included in the programs, students kick start the exchange experience with a mandatory 3 day, 2 night orientation in Auckland. Arrive in Auckland at the start of your exchange, meet other exchange students, get a crash course in the culture, and do a little sightseeing so that you can start your exchange off right before heading to your local community!
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
Students must be able to communicate in English. If you are a native English speaker, you will have fun learning the lingo in New Zealand!
SCHOOL LIFE: LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL
Attend a local public school (private school option may be presented if available).
School Year: School starts in February and ends in mid-December
Common courses: Physical Education, Math, Science, Languages, History, Geography, Music, English, Computers
Average hours per week: 35 – 40 hours of class per week.
Common school holidays: Summer break in mid-December to January, 2-week break in April, 2 weeks in July, 2 weeks in late September and statutory holidays.
Fun fact: The school year is opposite to here (and the seasons too)!
COMMON PLACEMENT LOCATIONS
We've placed students all over New Zealand and these are some of the more common placement areas.
Click on the buttons below to view location on map.
New Zealand at a Glance
Population
4.4 Million
Capital City
Wellington
Known For
Milford Sound, Lord of the Rings, Maori Aboriginal Culture, Kiwi birds, and more sheep than people!
Currency
New Zealand Dollar
Language
English and Maori
Say Hello
Hello or Kia Ora!Program Fees
(July 2025)
$10,395
(January 2026)
$10,595
(July 2026)
$10,495
What’s Included for the Student Exchange Program?
- School Registration and Placement
- Host Family Recruitment, Screening and Placement
- Food and Lodging with Host Family
- Full and Comprehensive Medical Insurance provided by Guard.me
- Pre-Departure Orientation in Canada
- Arrival Orientation in Host Country
- Monthly Monitoring and Progress Reports
- 24 hour Emergency Support Overseas
- Academic Support
- Arrival Greeting by Representative from Partner Organisation and/or host family
- Round trip ground transfer between final host port (airport, train or bus station) and host family home
- Provision of Program Documentation: Orientation manual and other materials to prepare for student exchangeAnd
- The Opportunity to LEARN-TRAVEL-EXPERIENCE!
Additional fees the student is responsible for include:
- Airfare (While the airfare is not included in our pricing, we can help you find the best deal and recommend travel sites)
- Passport and Visa Fees (if required)
- School supplies, uniforms (if required), cafeteria lunch (if required) or extra-curricular activity fees
- Personal Spending money while abroad
- Transportation to and from school for some students, dependent on where the host family is located. Some students are required to take a bus or train, while others walk or bike to school. This is dependent on where the host family is located.
- Any cancellation, change or program addition fees as issued by YES Canada or the partner organisation.
*Please note that YES Canada reserves the right to modify and update program options, leading to changes in pricing. Please note that pricing may be subject to change. Please note which program term the posted rates apply to, if the term you are applying for is not posted please inquire.
Find more information on what's included in the program fee, additional fees, payment schedule and cancellation policy, visit our Program Info page.
