Germany
Study abroad in Germany, famous for its cars, castles, and carnivals.
Why study in Germany?
Home to 81 million people, Germany is a big, beautiful country located in the heart of Europe. It’s well known for its cultural history, magnificent castles, and hearty cuisine. Bratwurst anyone? A student exchange to Germany is a great opportunity to experience European culture. Be sure to try plenty of the 1,500 different sausage varieties while you’re there!
Going on an exchange while you’re young is truly a valuable experience to help prepare you for adulthood. You get to experience incredible things and learn to depend on yourself.
Simran, Oamaru
Placements
You can choose to study in Germany for as little as two months or as long as one academic year. Our short programmes have flexible start dates – please email exchange@nziiu.co.nz for more information.
Placements can be anywhere in the country but are more likely to be in suburbs or rural areas. On the map below you can see some of the locations our past students have been placed. All of our host families are carefully vetted for safety and suitability. We conduct home interviews, inspections, and police checks to ensure our students are placed in a secure and supportive environment.
We aren’t currently offering exchanges to Germany. Please check back again later.
Duration
Departs
Returns
Application deadline
Price
Covered expenses
Included in the fee:
- School and family documents for your student visa application
- Placement in a suitable host family and school
- Full board and lodging with a host family, excluding school lunches
- Pre-departure orientation in NZ and arrival orientation in Germany
- Meet and greet at the airport in NZ and at the airport in Germany
- Transfer to your host community from Frankfurt (and back again)
- Ongoing pastoral care by the exchange providers
- 24/7 emergency assistance in Germany and NZ
- Certificate of completion upon return
Other costs
Not included in the fee:
Flights
You are responsible for paying all domestic and international airfares between your home and Frankfurt.
Insurance
You will be required to purchase comprehensive travel and medical insurance prior to your departure.
Visas
You are responsible for paying for your visa application and any associated fees.
School setup
Depending on your school and subject choices, you may be required to pay for expenses such as basic school fees and equipment.
Spending money
We recommend allocating approximately $450 NZD spending money per month to cover things like transport, school lunches, and weekend activities.
Optional trips
It’s a good idea to save some money for optional trips organised by your host family or your host organisation in Germany.
Eligibility
Students must be:
- Aged between 15 and 18 years prior to the programme start date
- A New Zealand Citizen or hold Permanent Residency
- Enrolled in a high school
- Willing to learn German prior to and during the exchange
- Fit, well, and have a suitable personality profile
- Academically motivated
Visas
If you are staying in Germany for longer than three months you will need to apply for a visa. This can be obtained in Germany and our affiliate can help you with this. It often takes several months for the visa to be issued so you will be asked to submit your application as soon as you arrive in Germany.
Language
Students are expected to have basic German conversational skills. Language courses are available upon arrival for semester and academic year students. These courses are mandatory for students with no prior knowledge of German.
Financing and scholarships
We know that financing your exchange might be a bit of a challenge, but don’t let that hold you back from pursuing the experience of a lifetime! NZIIU offers a select number of scholarships each year to exceptional students who require some financial assistance, as well as fundraising kits.
Explore now »NZIIU fundraising kit »
Meet our past students
Meet our NZIIU Student Ambassadors at one of our information day events! These students who have recently been on exchange have done it all, and are here to share their knowledge, experiences, and stories from exchange.
Learn More »