With its beautiful landscape, fantastic weather and friendly people, New Zealand rolls out the welcome mat for international students. An independent Commonwealth nation, New Zealand is known as one of the least-congested countries in the world, making it a prime environment for peace and relaxation. The country is comprised of two main islands, the South Island and the North Island.

The North Island hosts around 80% of the total population of New Zealand. Nevertheless, there are over 2,500 acres of untouched temperate rainforest and visitors are able to go to a pre-European Maori village. The North Island is home to Auckland, the largest city (with a population approaching 1.4 million) and the capital city of Wellington, which is the cultural, administrative and political center of the country. The city features a sprawling harbor and dramatic, hilly terrain as well as an extraordinary cityscape. Wellington is a vibrant, scenic and cosmopolitan city with some of the best museums, art galleries, restaurants, microbreweries and coffee houses in the country. In addition, Wellington is where the Maori first settled, offering visitors a wealth of interesting history.

The South Island's picturesque landscapes are treasured by photographers and students interested in creative industries such as art, film and television. In fact, many of the scenes from the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy were filmed in the South Island. Additionally, the South Island is home to many small businesses and budding wine industries. Queenstown is especially vibrant and the prime destination for wine connoisseurs, and the Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wanaka provide a spectacular backdrop.

Diversity is key in New Zealand, evident in both its landscapes and people. Its population of more than four million includes residents of British descent, as well as the indigenous Maori people. Maori account for 14 percent of the population, most of which is located on the North Island. The Maori were the country's first settlers about 1,000 years ago. In 1769, Captain James Cook mapped and claimed the country for Britain. New Zealand was introduced as a country in 1840 when the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the Maori and the Brits.

New Zealand is home to eight universities and 20 Institutes of Technology/Polytechnics. The University of Auckland, located in Auckland, the North Island's capital of commerce and industry, is the top research university in the country. The oldest university in New Zealand, established in 1869, is The University of Otago in Dunedin. Other schools include Massey University, with campuses in Auckland, Palmerston and Wellington, Victoria University of Wellington in Wellington and The University of Waikato in Hamilton. The University of Canterbury and Lincoln University in Christchurch are popular destinations for foreign students, while New Zealand's youngest university, the Auckland University of Technology, is located right downtown in Auckland City. Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics provide a more applied focus at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels of study, in provincial and urban settings.

Students studying at these institutions will not experience a language barrier as English is the primary spoken language of the country although some of the population does still speak the ancient Maori language.

New Zealand provides a premier location for students studying the natural sciences and ecology, as about 30 percent of the country's land area is protected for conservation. In addition, students will have access to wildlife sanctuaries, 13 national parks, and hundreds of ecological areas. They will find rich research opportunities when it comes to the rescue of endangered species such as kakapo, kokako, tuatara, and kiwis.

New Zealanders are known as "Kiwis," a name taken from the nation's official bird. The New Zealand dollar is also referred to as "the kiwi," and New Zealand dollar coins feature a picture of the bird.

Americans and New Zealanders share a common language and many similar tastes in popular culture, facilitating study abroad students' ability to adjust to the new country. Sports like rugby, soccer and cricket are highly competitive, and New Zealand captured America's Cup victories in international sailing competitions in 1995 and 2000. Students from the United States may be surprised to learn that taxes are included in the shelf price of goods and services and that there is no tipping in New Zealand.

Adventure-seekers will find New Zealand heavenly. Bungee-jumping is a favorite pastime, as well as rock climbing and hiking. The beaches of New Zealand are noted to be pristine and clear and are located just a short drive from major cities such as Auckland. Other favorite Kiwi pastimes include golfing, gardening, snowboarding and water sports.

In addition to a fine education, New Zealand can provide international students with adventure, fun and relaxation. They will find the people are as warm and pleasant as the weather, and they can enjoy living abroad without feeling too far out of their element.

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