The University of Auckland Pre-departure and arrival guide Contents Welcome to the University of Auckland 3 Ready, set, go! 4 About this guide Ready for departure Preparing for study in another country is full of excitement and challenges. We hope that this guide will Student visa 5 answer your questions, calm your nerves, and get you ready for life at the University of Auckland. IT essentials 6 Insurance 7 Pack your luggage 8 The more you know Get connected Airport arrival 9 We have a huge amount of information for international students Click the Facebook logo below to like our International Student available on our website. You can also contact our AskAuckland team Support page, and make sure to check your University email for Accommodation 10 with any enquiries. iNews - our fortnightly international student newsletter. Cost of living 11 Need a hand? Just arrived Our friendly and dedicated team of international student advisers City of Sails 12 are here to support you. If you need any guidance preparing for your departure or settling into life in Auckland, you can email us at Getting around 12 [email protected], or check the key contacts page for Staying connected 12 more details. Banking 12 Shopping 13 Employment ready 13 Adapting to Kiwi life Code of Practice 15 Culture shock 15 Kiwi culture 15 Staying safe 16 At the University Orientation 17 Student services 17 City Campus facilities 19 Key contacts 19 Welcome to the University of Auckland Welcome to the University of Auckland, and an exciting new By choosing to study with us, you will build yourself a foundation that academic life in New Zealand’s largest and most vibrant city. You will will set you apart for the rest of your life. Our dedicated staff will be be joining New Zealand’s leading University, one that ranks among here to support you throughout this exciting journey. the world’s top 100 in one of the world’s most liveable cities. 3 Ready, set, go! Here is a checklist of preparations you may need to make before you begin your studies: Apply for your student visa – see page 5. Enrol in your courses – see page 6. Arrange your free airport pickup – see page 9. Find your student accommodation – see page 10. Organise your money for living expenses – see page 11. Record emergency contact details – see page 19. Make copies of important documents 4 Ready for departure Student visa Before you get started After you receive your offer of admission from the University of Auckland, apply for your student visa as soon as possible through the Immigration New Zealand website. Be sure to check current visa processing times to help in your planning. Immigration New Zealand provides specific details of all documentation required for a student visa on page 2 of the application form. Please also review the Student Visa Guide before submitting your application online. How do I apply? Pay the total estimated annual programme fees, located on page 3 of your offer letter.Payment methods, as well as instructions for printing a fees receipt, are also located on page 3 of your offer letter. You must then submit the following with your student visa application: • Your offer letter • Your fees receipt • Evidence of funds for living costs • Evidence of outward travel Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to provide medical and chest x-ray certificates and/or a police certificate. Please review the relevant forms and guides from Immigration NZ to determine what documentation you are required to provide with your application. If you still have questions about the student visa application process, please contact an International Student Adviser at [email protected]. NEW ZEALAND AUCKLAND North Island TAUPŌ South Island WELLINGTON CHRISTCHURCH DUNEDIN Stewart Island 5 IT essentials Logging in Student email Log in using your username and password to gain access to University All enrolled students have a University student email account. It’s of Auckland electronic services. Your password is the one you created important to check your student email regularly as it’s the University’s when you applied for admission. Your username is provided in an official means of communicating with you. Your account will be acknowledgement email that the University sends you after you activated approximately 24 hours after you enrol in a course at the submit your application for admission. You must keep your password University of Auckland. Your email address will be <username>@ confidential. aucklanduni.ac.nz. Student Services Online Canvas Student Services Online enables you to enrol in courses, plan your Canvas is the University’s web-based learning management system. timetable, update your contact details, and more. You can explore Find information and updates about your courses, access reading all of the different functions using the video tutorials and step-by- materials and learning resources, complete online tests, participate in step instructions available on the University of Auckland website. online discussions, and communicate with your lecturers, tutors, and classmates. Online enrolment You can enrol in your courses by logging in to Student Services Online. MyAucklandUni Course enrolment for each academic year begins on 1 November of MyAucklandUni is a student portal that gives you access to your the previous year. There is detailed information about choosing your important information in one place. It’s a one-stop-shop that makes courses available on the University of Auckland website, as well as it easy to see Student Services Online, your calendar and timetables, step-by-step instructions on how to enrol. email notifications, course updates, library information, financial In your first year of study, your recommended full-time workload is 120 information, and personal details. points. In most programmes, this will be eight 15-point courses. As an international student, Immigration New Zealand requires that you be enrolled in a minimum of three courses or 45 points per semester. 6 Insurance The Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice requires all international students to have appropriate health and travel insurance during their period of study. The Studentsafe Inbound University policy from Allianz Global Assistance NZ Ltd. is our preferred insurance policy for international students. All enrolled international students will automatically be charged the Studentsafe Inbound University insurance premium. Insurance is Premiums compulsory and you must pay this fee unless the University approves FULL ONE SUMMER the use of an alternative insurance provider. You must have approved YEAR SEMESTER SCHOOL insurance for the duration of your study, regardless of the type of visa or you have. Please review the University of Auckland website for QUARTER further information. TERM Student $620 $310 $155 Pre-existing medical conditions Couple OR student w/child $1,240 $650 $310 You are not automatically covered for pre-existing medical conditions. Couple w/child(ren) $1,550 $775 $387.50 However, in certain circumstances cover may be considered. If you have a pre-existing condition or have had a medical procedure in the University Health and Counselling past, we recommend you submit a medical risk assessment form. For more information, contact our International Student Insurance Adviser Studentsafe Inbound University policy holders are able to use at [email protected]. University Health and Counselling for all compliant health and counselling services. Please refer to the policy wording for terms and conditions. Any consultation covered by the Studentsafe Inbound Insurance waivers University policy will be billed directly to the insurance provider with no charge to the student. If you already have an insurance policy that is compliant with the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice, City Campus Pharmacy and Grafton Pharmacy directly bill the you can apply for an insurance waiver. Your alternative insurance insurance company for medication prescribed to Studensafe Inbound policy must be on our list of compliant policies and cover you for the University policy holders by doctors from University Health and length of your visa in order to be approved. Insurance waivers are due Counselling. There is no charge to the student for prescriptions by the second Friday of each semester, quarter, or programme start covered by the policy. date. Family insurance You can add your family to your Studentsafe Inbound University insurance policy. The appropriate premium will then be added to your tuition account and will appear on your fees statement. Complete the family member application by the second Friday of each semester, quarter, or programme start date, and upload it to our online form. 7 Pack your luggage Clothing Aucklanders have a popular saying that we often get ‘four seasons in sure to declare anything that you are unsure of on your passenger one day’ as the weather can be quite changeable. Waterproof gear is arrival card. essential in Auckland, as are light layers that can easily be taken on and off. It’s also important to remember that the sun in this part of the world is very strong due to low ozone levels, so sun protection is Appliances a must, particularly in summer. Auckland has warm summers with an Electricity is supplied throughout New Zealand at 230/240 volts (50 average high temperature of 23°C (73°F) and mild, wet winters with an hertz) and power outlets only accept flat two or three pin plugs. You will average low temperature of 8°C (46°F). need an adaptor for any appliances you bring from home. You can buy an adaptor when you arrive or before you leave your home country. You For warmer months (November-April): lightweight clothing and may want to buy some small appliances (such as a hairdryer) when you layers, light waterproof jacket, beach clothes, swimsuit, sunhat and get here rather than bringing them with you.