International students in New Zealand face cultural challenges

New Zealand universities are keen to bring international student numbers back up after covid - but life at uni in a strange country is not always easy.

Studies have shown that international students face unique mental health challenges.

A systematic review of international students by Massey University in 2004 showed “providing appropriate care for international students is crucial”.

Last year, an Australian academic study showed international students are “at high risk of poor mental health and wellbeing".

AUT international students spoken to by TWN say life can be surprisingly tough.

International student from Beijing, Chen Nuoyi said, “Living in a totally unfamiliar place is hard,

“You need to learn a lot of new things.”

Nuoyi was born in a Chinese one-child family, so he has a lot to learn about domestic life, even cooking.

“At home, I never [had to] do such a thing, but now I have [had] to learn it from zero. Besides this is a good way to save money.”

Communicating with locals is another difficulty.

“Sometimes they just cannot understand what I said. This is quite annoying.”

To solve this problem, Chen said he needed to spend more time on language learning.

“I can’t speak as quick and clear as the locals, so I start in a slow speed, make sure everything I said is clear and right.”

Nico Potenciano, a former international student from the Philippines, said he struggled to adapt to life in Auckland.

When he came to the city at eight, the cold winter was a shock to him after the warm climate at home.

“The unpredictable weather makes people feel confused”, he said.

After he moved here, he faced constant bullying due to cultural differences, from his accent to his interests.

"I didn’t fit in with the other kids.”

Trying to fit in, he started to conform with others, watching the same "edgy" shows as them and even pretending to excel in sports like rugby.

He found conforming didn’t help, instead resulting in further bullying.

Realising blindly pleasing others wouldn't win him respect, he would now rather stick to his position than change to cater to others.

"I’m not a joke—I’m an adult with my own culture," he said.

This week, Victoria University of Wellington announced a 50 per cent increase in international students.

Vice-chancellor Nic Smith said this underscored the university’s global reputation and distinctive Wellington identity.

“The latest figures demonstrate our desirability among international learners. The diversity of countries represented in our enrolments shows our widespread appeal right now—and reinforces Wellington’s reputation as a vibrant, globally connected capital.”

The University of Auckland has also recently announced a 10 per cent increase in international first year students.

At AUT, however, international students are down 6.7 per cent, according to the university.

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AI was not used in the creation of this story.