FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Invercargill is relatively compact and most of our students live within walking distance of campus.  The SIT Apartments are only 5 to 10 minutes’ walk from campus.  Supermarkets and shops are just a few minutes walk from our campus. 

Many of our students walk or purchase a bicycle to get to classes and around the city.  There are also taxis and buses available.  There are buses and shuttles that regularly leave for other destinations throughout the week.

The best way is to fly into the Auckland or Christchurch International Airport and then transfer to a domestic flight to Invercargill.  Another option is to fly into Queenstown International Airport and book a bus to Invercargill.

Invercargill has a range of accommodation options for you to choose from.  You can live with a Kiwi family in a homestay, at the SIT Apartments, or flat in a private home.  You can find out more information about our accommodation options here.

You can choose to remain at your current accommodation provider or you may have found somewhere else better suited to you and your needs.

During the orientation programme, we run a detailed accommodation workshop which outlines all your options including renting, boarding, joining an established flat, homestays, and the SIT Apartments.

The workshop gives you the opportunity to ask us all your questions in a casual environment.  All that we require is two weeks notice that you intend to move from our accommodation.

When you arrive, you will be met at the airport by a SIT representative and taken to your accommodation.  Your first two weeks accommodation, whether at the SIT Apartments or at a homestay, are covered by your resource fee. 

How fast you will find work depends on your background, skills and ability to adapt to the New Zealand job market.  Some students and their spouses walk straight into jobs; others take longer to find employment. 

Before you start looking for work, it is imperative that you attend the employment workshops SIT runs for international students.  These workshops will provide you with essential information to help your employment search in New Zealand. 

Some students have ignored our advice and have then struggled to find work.  It is important that you attend our employment workshop to learn what not to do when looking for work in New Zealand.

SIT provides comprehensive job search assistance, whether you are a student or a graduate.  In addition to regular employment workshops, our dedicated international employment officer offers one-on-one assistance to help find employment opportunities. This includes help to rewrite your curriculum vitae to suit the New Zealand employment context and tips on searching for work and job interviews.  You will also regularly receive information on job opportunities direct to your inbox. 

SIT job search assistance is available for current students, their spouses, and SIT graduates.

As long as you are enrolled on a SIT programme, you will be automatically covered by our insurance.  If your programme has finished, however, you will need to purchase insurance.  We can provide you with a list of suitable insurance companies to make these arrangements. 

On a student visa, you can work up to 20 hours per week during semester time.  At the end of year summer holidays (December – February), you can work full-time on your student visa. 

Refer to Immigration New Zealand for the specific requirements about working while studying. 

Yes, the New Zealand Government requires all international students to have medical and travel insurance while they are in New Zealand.  The good news is that SIT automatically provides your insurance from the resource fee.  That means you don't have to worry about extra fees and paperwork.