Study abroad: New Zealand vs Ireland

India’s   progress has trickled down to most citizens as well, with more and more people now able to afford several basic things, which until a decade ago, were considered luxury. One such aspect is education. While students from India usually prefer to study in the top 5 study abroad destinations -- the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand has always been internationally recognized for its excellent education standards and for training high quality teachers, which makes it rather a given fact that the institutions in NewZealand provide one of the best world class teaching faculties. Apart from this, New Zealand also has a high quality of amenities and research facilities for its students.

But that is not all the country has to offer. It also provides a perfect mix of a modern cosmopolitan society that exists in perfect harmony with the country’s outdoorsy lifestyle. Replete with all kinds of natural landscaped ranging from snowcapped mountains and steaming volcanoes to rolling green hills, golden sandy beaches and lush rainforests. Living in New Zealand provides every student a chance to grow with its multi-cultural society and natural wonders all at once. Education in New Zealand is truly an all-encompassing experience.

PROS

·         It has a small population
New Zealand’s land mass is very similar to that of Great Britain or Japan, but with a population of only 4.5 million, the whole nation appears quite relaxed and stress free.

·         The food is really, really good
New Zealand is internationally known for its large sheep population and onshore, the quality of lamb, as well as its seafood, has quite a reputation.

·         New Zealand has one of the most picturesque environments in the world
There are a number of beaches, hot springs and glaciers, as well as mud pools and rainforests. You will never be short of adventure in Australia.

·         It has an exceptionally diverse society
New Zealand is an incredibly multicultural country, with residents from all over the world, including Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe. A significant number of Pacific Islanders have headed south to New Zealand as well

·         It has a very safe and secure lifestyle
New Zealand is quite geographically removed from the rest of the world, so it manages to stay away from any violent conflicts or threats.

·         It has an extraordinary climate 
New Zealand generally has very calm weather all year round. In winter, the temperature is quite moderate in the North Island, whilst snow will fall in the South.

·         It’s just so relaxed.
The lifestyle in New Zealand is incredibly laidback. The entire population are well- versed in balancing their work and leisure lifestyles, which is probably a reason why the country is so peaceful.

·         The people are really friendly.
Regardless of your circumstances, a local is very likely to just come up and talk to you, no matter how well they know you. Everyone in New Zealand is very down to earth, so expect plenty of casual conversations.

·         It’s one of the least corrupted places on the planet 
New Zealand has a reputation has being a very transparent society. In the 2015 Corruption Perception Index, the country ranked 4^th in the world, with a very low level of corruption.

CONS

o   It is an isolated country
New Zealand is located far away from the rest of the world, with only Australia and some small Pacific islands situated nearby. As a result, flights to and from there can be expensive, and the importation of goods equally so.

o   Housing costs in Auckland are huge
Auckland has the highest employment opportunities and is the go to destination for immigrants, so rent is becoming extreme.

o   There are few job options
There are few professional fields to pursue in New Zealand, so unless students are looking in those fields, it is every difficult to find a good job on home soil. As a result, many move overseas to pursue higher education or search for employment.

o   It lacks in historical artefacts

Unlike in Europe or Asia, tourist activities usually revolve around outdoor adventures and exploration rather than history. It can be a hard task to find picturesque architecture.

o   It has heaps of mosquitoes and flies  
If you do move to New Zealand, be prepared to be bitten by heaps of mosquitos and sandflies. They are worst in the summers, so be ready with insect repellant, mozzie coils, citronella candles and bug sprays.

o   There are poor building regulations
Building standards have not always been a priority for the people of New Zealand or it’s government.

o   Public transport is unreliable
There is no properly organized public transport system within New Zealand, so getting around the islands can be difficult without your own car.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

Ireland's worldwide reputation for high quality education is built on the solid foundation of commitment to excellence. Despite being an island nation, it is jam-packed with things that make it a popular destination for students studying abroad. 

Whether you live and study in a small Irish city or the bustling capital of Dublin, you’ll appreciate both of Ireland’s distinctive personalities: the modern & vibrant social & cultural life as well as the traditional and historic character that is truly Irish.

PROS

·         Courses in Ireland are taught in English.

·         Courses are globally recognized and accredited by leading academic bodies.

·         Scholarships  are given for deserving students.

·         Strong Asian community.

·         Close proximity to London and is well-connected to the rest of Europe - the student life is something everyone must experience.

·         A land of astounding beauty with some amazing cliffs, lakes and beaches.

·         Dublin is a tech hub in Ireland. It is Google’s European headquarters as well.

·         Ireland is known as the largest exporter of software worldwide and is also well-known for its pharmaceutical industries.

·         International students studying at Irish institutions have options to work part-time for 20 hours /week.

·         The country has 4.4% of unemployment rate.

·         Ireland also offers 1 year postgraduate and accepts MBA admissions (in certain cases) without any prior work experience.

·         Due to the technological advancements in Dublin, and other cities in Ireland, most universities have good rapport with industries; therefore, students find it easy to find a job.

·         Also most universities encourage students to take up internships with popular companies, to become job-ready graduates.

·         Ireland has a 2 year stay-back option for postgraduates studying at Irish institutions.

CONS

o   The weather is also unpredictable, prompting the Irish saying, “You can see every season in a day. If you’re someone who needs steady sunshine to be happy, Ireland may not be for you.

o   The cost of living in city centers of Ireland’s bigger metropolitan areas can get pretty steep. Rents are much lower as you get further from the city centers, but those areas have less access to public transportation.

o   The Irish love their pubs, and to many that’s a draw for the country. But the social scene revolves pretty heavily around alcohol -- if you don’t drink, you may find that the culture isn’t for you.

o   While Irish healthcare is accessible and, for the most part, effective, for some medical procedures there are long wait times. Healthcare isn’t perfect in any country, and Ireland definitely proves that.

o   Ireland is the fourth most expensive place in the world to fuel up a car, with taxes accounting for 60% of the cost of a tank of petrol. Petrol is more than twice as expensive in Ireland as it is in the US.

Career councilors can be of great help for ms abroad aspirants. You can find various Top Study Abroad Consultant In Mumbai who will help you with the admission and visa processes. There will be some advantages and some disadvantages in every country, it depends totally on the individual in where he wants to pursue his further education.