Indian Student Confronts Challenges and Growth While Studying in New Zealand

In the wake of New Zealand’s announced international education reset, the stories of international students who have navigated the country’s education system highlight both opportunities and challenges in this multibillion-dollar sector. One such story is that of Geetanjali Sharma, an Indian student whose journey reflects the complex realities faced by many seeking education abroad.

Sharma arrived in New Zealand with high expectations, having paid a significant amount to an education agent in Delhi who promised her a seamless transition to studying and living in the country. However, the reality proved starkly different from what was advertised.

“I was told I would easily find a part-time job that would cover my living expenses, and that the qualification would guarantee me a work visa after completion,” Sharma explained. “None of that turned out to be true.”

Her experience mirrors that of many international students who discover a significant gap between marketing promises and actual outcomes. Education agents, who operate largely without regulation in many source countries, often present an idealized version of study abroad opportunities to secure commissions.

Sharma struggled to find adequate part-time work, encountering a competitive job market where her limited local experience became a significant barrier. When she did secure employment, she faced exploitation from employers who took advantage of her vulnerable visa status.

“One employer paid me far below minimum wage, knowing I couldn’t complain without risking my visa status,” she recounted. “When I finally gathered courage to ask for proper wages, they simply replaced me with another international student in the same situation.”

The financial pressures forced Sharma to share accommodations with several other students, creating challenging living conditions that affected her studies. Her experience highlights a systemic issue in New Zealand’s international education sector, which has grown dramatically over the past decade to become the country’s fifth-largest export industry, worth approximately NZ$5.1 billion annually before the pandemic.

Education New Zealand, the government agency responsible for promoting New Zealand education internationally, has acknowledged the need for better protection of international students. Recent regulatory changes aim to ensure educational providers take greater responsibility for the welfare of their international students.

“We recognize that quality education means more than just classroom learning,” said a spokesperson from Education New Zealand. “It encompasses the entire student experience, including accommodation, employment opportunities, and social integration.”

For Sharma, who eventually completed her studies, the journey provided unexpected life lessons in resilience and self-advocacy. Despite the challenges, she managed to secure a post-study work visa and is now employed in her field, though not at the level her qualifications might suggest.

Industry experts note that cases like Sharma’s highlight the importance of New Zealand’s education reset, which aims to shift focus from volume to value in international education. The reset includes stricter requirements for education providers and a more transparent approach to managing student expectations.

Dr. Catherine Moir, an education policy researcher at the University of Auckland, emphasizes the need for structural change. “The problem isn’t just unscrupulous agents or exploitative employers. It’s a system that has been designed around international students as revenue sources rather than as vulnerable young people deserving of protection and genuine educational opportunities.”

As New Zealand rebuilds its international education sector following the pandemic disruption, stories like Sharma’s provide valuable insights into how policy changes might better serve both the country’s economic interests and the welfare of international students.

For prospective students considering New Zealand, Sharma offers hard-earned advice: “Research independently, connect with current students from your country, and understand your rights before arriving. Most importantly, prepare financially for the worst-case scenario, not the best-case one promised by agents.”

Her journey underscores that while international education can offer transformative opportunities, the path is often more challenging than advertised—a reality that both students and policymakers must acknowledge as New Zealand reconsiders its approach to this important sector.