International Students
Accepting Enrolments for this year and next
Applications will be processed in preparation for the posssibility of New Zealand border restrictions lifiting.
More information on New Zealand’s COVID-19 travel restrictions can be found here: https://covid19.govt.nz/travel-and-the-border/border-restrictions/
Have a question?
For any questions or to receive an information pack on international studies at LAC, please feel free to contact our HOD of International Students, Francis Aiono: international@lac.school.nzJoin our International Family
LAC’s international students are fully involved in all aspects of college life, including opportunities to present their culture in various activities on and off the college campus.
New Zealand
New Zealand is a beautiful place to live and study. It is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. New Zealand offers an array of tourist attractions covering action-adventure, snow-covered mountains, geothermal pools and geysers, beautiful beaches, green pastures, and much, much more. You will have the opportunity to meet new friends and see some of the natural beauty of New Zealand. You can take advantage of your holiday breaks to stay with a New Zealand family and experience the Kiwi way of life.
Size and Population
New Zealand has a population of almost 4.7 million. Geographically it is similar in proportion to the United Kingdom or Japan. It is primarily a European culture which also includes historical, cultural elements from the Maori and Pacific Island heritage, and now from its rapidly growing multicultural Asian communities.
Climate
Because New Zealand is situated in the southern hemisphere, its seasons are the reverse of those in the northern hemisphere. The climate varies from subtropical in the far north to much milder, cooler temperatures as you travel south. Winters are not extreme, but the winter temperature at Longburn can reach 0°C. Summer averages around 22°C.
Palmerston North & NZ Cities
Longburn Adventist College is only 5 minutes drive from the centre of Palmerston North (pictured). Palmerston North is the country’s seventh-largest city and eighth-largest urban area, with an urban population of 86,600 (June 2018).
The capital of New Zealand is Wellington (population 496,000), situated at the southern tip of the North Island. It is a 1 hour 40 minutes drive from Wellington to Longburn.
Other major cities and towns are Auckland (population 1,415,000) which is a one hour flight from Palmerston North. Hamilton (population 156,800), Christchurch (population 367,800) and Dunedin (population 118,500).
Useful Links for International Students
New Zealand School System
National Certificate of Educational Achievement
The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) is the main national qualification for secondary school students in New Zealand.
NCEA is three certificates: it can be awarded at Levels 1, 2 and 3. Students usually begin studying for their NCEA Level 1 in Year 11 and continue through Years 12 and 13 (from ages 15 through to 18).
Many vocational qualifications are also offered in secondary schools. These include, for example, the National Certificate of Tourism and the National Certificate in Computing.
NCEA is recognised by overseas universities
NCEA is New Zealand’s national school-leaver qualification and is well-recognised overseas. It is highly-regarded by employers and used for selection by universities, both in New Zealand and in other countries.
For details, see the specific country requirements for the recognition of NCEA.
Passports and Visas
International students must hand their passport and airline tickets to the International Students Director upon arrival at LAC, for safekeeping in a lockable safe. Should a student’s visa be required to be renewed during the school year, it is the responsibility of the HOD of International Students to ensure that all student visas are current and updated.
Term-End Arrangements
New Zealand schools operate on four (4) terms per year, and at the end of each term, there is a holiday period of two (2) weeks except for the Christmas term break which is between six (6) and eight (8) weeks depending on the year level of the student.
During the term holiday breaks, the residences are closed, and all international students are placed in a homestay. It is recommended that all students return to their homes during the year-end school holiday (December-January). The HOD of International Students will arrange homestays. If a student wishes to stay with a relative or friends, then the parents must complete a Parental Consent Form and Homestay Application Form. However, under the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students, the HOD of International Students requires homestay carers over 18 years of age to be police vetted and also to ascertain that the student will be cared for in a safe environment.
Boarding with LAC House
Dormitories
The boarding dormitories are comfortably appointed and refurbished in 2019. Each dormitory has its own chapel, lounge, and a small kitchenette for personal use. Each room is equipped with two beds, separate wardrobes and drawers, and study space for two. There are 240-volt power points for low wattage items such as electric curlers, but not for electric heaters. Each room is heated and carpeted.
Students need to bring their own blankets, pillow, sheets, pillowslips, electric blanket etc. Mattress and curtains are supplied. Room decoration is the prerogative of the student, under the residential caregivers’ supervision.
Students are cared for by Deans. There are two full-time deans and some volunteer deans that are rostered on to take care of the dormitories. At all times there is one male and one female Dean on duty to ensure 24-hour student care.
LAC House provides a transport service to the campus from the Palmerston North transport terminals, which include the Intercity bus stop in The Square and Palmerston North airport.
Vegetarian meals are provided in the College cafeteria and students are encouraged to choose a nutritious, balanced diet.
Special diets can be accommodated for, eg. gluten-free and vegan.
An evening study programme is operated by LAC House and is monitored by boarding deans.
The evening study period is from 7.30 to 8.45pm, Monday to Thursday.
It is a requirement under the New Zealand Education Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students that all students have personal medical insurance cover for the full term of their stay in New Zealand.