Need opinions please

MichelleW · Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2004 6:16 pm Post subject: Need opinions please

I was wanting to get some opinions from you guys about another thought I had.I am planning on going to school in NZ but it looks like there is a good chance that I won't be able to start until feb 05.
We would really like to come to NZ before then if possible so we were trying to think of some ideas.
What if we went there for a month on a holiday and my husband tried to get a job? Does he have to get a job in what NZ considers skilled work for us to qualify? He has been doing heating and a/c for years but I think he would need to find something else there.Are there many general jobs around?Then we could hopefully apply for permanent residency and we would already be living there when I start school.I am worried that once I get to school and graduate wich will be about 4 years from now the points system may have totally changed.
So what would you guys do? Go in a couple of months and hope for the best or wait a year,go to school,graduate and then hope for the best?

Michelle

lesly · Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2004 8:54 pm Post subject:

Hi Michelle,

Again I could say that we have about the same situation here. I would like to go to school in NZ too, starting February 05 (I guess we would have to wait for the beginning of the schoolyear) , but we plan to leave end of June/beginning of July 04 (on condition our house is sold by that time!). As visitors, because first we will visit our nephew in NZ (he has been living there for 20 years already). After that my husband will search for a job, and I will try to find a school for my children and myself. Of course this could take some time, but as a visitor you can extend your stay for 9 months, so that should be enough to bridge over the period between the arrival and the beginning of the schoolyear or the job.
Of course the points system could change, but I 'm afraid that we have to learn to live with that!
I hope this helps. Good luck Nice One

Lesly

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

Hi Michelle and Lesly,

My course also starts in Feb 05, although we would like to go over there some months before I start school, so that we can get settled and oriented. As Lesly stated, as visitors we can stay for nine months before we change our status to student visa.

Good luck to all of us! Nice One

MichelleW · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 6:35 am Post subject:

Thanks Lesly and Charlotte.I didn't realize we could go that far ahead of time.So I guess we'll just go a few months before I start school then.So you would just get a regular visitors permit and then change it to a student visa? Would you just get the health checks done in NZ then?

Charlotte,
I am curious if the universities that you've been in contact with are requiring an SAT? I had never taken the SAT but the universities I have spoken with said I needed to so I have made an appointment for it in late march.
Lesly,
Have you decided to go the holiday route to NZ to find a job?

take care

MichelleW · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 7:05 am Post subject:

Sorry Charlotte.For some reason I thought you were in the US but I see your in London so i'm sure the university tests and requirements are totally different.But on that note are you having to do any special sort of testing to go to the NZ university? Here in the US once your past 20 or so you no longer have to take the SAT so I am really going to be out of my element taking the test with high school seniors.Should be interesting.

Clink

Michelle

lesly · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 7:46 am Post subject:

Hi Michelle,

About the health checks, they are only valid for 3 months, so I guess you better get them done in NZ.

And yes, we go the holiday route! That way, we will at least have a great holiday to remember!!!!! Nice One

Cheers, Lesly

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

Hi Michelle and Lesly,

Yes, we're going over on holiday a few months before my course starts, and then switching to student status. We'll do all the health and police checks in NZ.

Michelle: luckily, the entry requirements for the Wellington Institute of Technology are not too tough! The course I want to take simply requires that:

Applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

.) 3C's in Bursary examination or equivalent qualification or

.) demonstrate reasonable likelihood of success

.) mature students who have not reached a tertiary standard must submit an extended CV with their application form to enable a more informed assessment of the likelihood of them successfully completing the programme - those who fail to meet this criteria will be referred to "Return to Study Courses", or equivalent.

.) have had relevant prior training or experience in working with people in counselling or related positions

I left school at 16 to go to work, and then I went to college when I was 18, and studied Graphic Design for two years. I didn't complete my degree, but I'm hoping the fact that I have already attended college will count for something! I expect they may ask me to submit an 'extended CV', that shouldn't be a problem.

I know what you mean about feeling out of your element around so many youngsters, though. Luckily, the 'Bachelor of Counselling' course I want to take states that: "Students will normally be mature adults with appropriate life experience in order to have a broad view of client issues". So hopefully, there'll be a few students who are around my age. Embarassed

Which Universities or Colleges are you looking at?

MichelleW · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2004 6:03 am Post subject:

Hi Charlotte,
I am looking at both Massey University in Wellington and The University of auckland although the more i'm finding out about Wellington,the more it's sounding like the place for me.They both require an SAT1 from the US but your score has to be 1000 for Massey and 1150 for Auckland so how I do on the SAT will also factor in.I would like to be in a bit smaller of a town as well.I will have to do a quick check to see if Wellington Institute of Technology has a nursing program.it sounds as if they are a little more lenient towards those of us who are getting an education later on.

Clink

Michelle

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

Hi Michelle,

Yes, I think that it is a little more difficult to get into certain Universities, as a mature student. I wanted to study Occupational Therapy, or Physiotherapy at AUT, but I found the entry requirements were definitely geared towards young students.

I decided on the Bachelor of Counselling course at WelTec, because Counselling is also something I've always wanted to do (as I'm always drawn to work within the healing sciences).

I did a quick search, and found a "Training list for: Nursing and Professional Caregiving" at: http://www.careers.co.nz/lists/courses/f3a_nur.htm

I don't know if you've come across this list in your searches, but I hope you find it useful!

Keep us posted as to what you decide on!

MichelleW · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 3:13 pm Post subject:

Hi Charlotte,
Thanks so much for the link.I am going to spend some time this evening going through the list of universities.I have also noticed at a few of the universities like AUT that they are very geared towards young students.They might hand me a cane on my first day if I try to go there Embarassed

.I know that most of the students will probably be alot younger than me but I am hoping there will be a couple of students in their late 20's or higher.
I hope the information package I was promised will arrive soon!

Michelle

Tate6 · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 3:59 am Post subject:

Hey ladies! I was just reading all of your comments. I, too, am thinking of going to school once my family and I get there. I went to college a couple times and ended up with just a few credits. Got married at 20, first child at 23, and most recently, my 4th child at 36. So, as my husband and I take this first step into the rest of our lives, he with a possible change in careers, I am thinking, what do I want to be when I grow up?

We are going to NZ on a short holiday in April, hopefully with our two oldest children, 11 and 13, if we can afford to bring them! I want them to feel like they can voice their opinions about our move and want them to have the experience of visiting first. Anyway, then we are listing our house when we get back. At the same time, my husband will send out resumes to employers in NZ. Then, whichever comes first, the house selling or the job offer, we will head over and either come as visitors or asking for work permit. So, do any of you know, once there, as visitor or with hubby having work permit, how difficult will it be for me to then go to school there? What should I have ready from home? Any info would be greatly appreciated. The best of luck to you all on your ventures! fingers crossed

Terry

MichelleW · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 7:15 am Post subject:

Hi Terry,
It sounds like you have a great plan!I don't think it would be difficult at all for you to get started in school there.Here is the link to the NZ immigration site about studying there. http://www.immigration.govt.nz/Study/
The universities I have spoken with have told me that I need to take the SAT but that may be because I havn't had any college courses before so since you have you probably wont have to.I would make sure that you have your transcripts,any job references and your personal documents.
Best of luck to you!! and btw I see your in WI.lived in Sun Prairie WI which is about 5 miles from Madison.We were only there about 6 months though.the winter scared me off. Wink

take care,
Michelle

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

Hi Terry,

From what I've read on the NZIS site, I think you can change your status from 'visitor' to 'student', as soon as you have been accepted by an approved University. So it is possible to go over to NZ on holiday, find a course or degree you want to take, and then apply for a student visa.

If your husband gets a work permit, you and the children would be granted visitors visas, the NZIS states:

"Partners and Dependent Children Of Student and Work Visa or Permit Holders

If you are a partner of a student or work visa or permit holder you may be issued a visitor's visa or granted a visitor's permit for the same period of time as your partner's visa or permit.

Dependent children of student or work visa or permit holders may be issued visitor visas or granted visitor permits for the same period of time as the parent's visa or permit."

And I think it would be fairly easy to change your status, and that of your children to student visas, as soon as you have found schools and a University you like.

Do you know what you would like to study? Or what area of NZ you would like to be in?

Michelle: I'm glad you found the link useful!

It's really nice to meet other mothers in my age bracket who are going back to University. cool

Tate6 · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 1:05 pm Post subject:

Michelle: Thanks for the info! We live about 5 miles north of Madison--way up in the frozen tundra! Wah

ONe of the many reasons we are moving to NZ!

Charlotte: Thanks for the info and excerpt. After reading all of the info at that site, I sometimes end up cross-eyed and cannot make heads nor tails of it. I am thinking of going into marine studies of some sort. Have always been an animal lover and started a humane society in my county here. But marine animals would be a dream for me. We are interested in settling on the South Island on one of the coasts. I have yet to check out the universities at all. Any that look better or are better for cost?
Thanks again, ladies, for the input. I look forward to chatting again.
Terry

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

Terry: most welcome!

A course on marine studies sounds fascinating.