Many international students who want to improve their English stay with a homestay family. Homestay is a unique experience and is a great way to experience the New Zealand way of life.

Living in a home in New Zealand is a first hand and memorable experience of the “kiwi way of life”. It is a great way to discover the food, culture and family way of life in a safe and supported environment. By staying in a homestay, students will develop their English language skills, receive support, care and individual attention, and participate in family activities and celebrations. In return, the student can teach their host family about their life style, food, culture and home country.

Cost: NZD $224 per week + set up fee

Would this suit you?: Homestays are ideal for those who have not experienced international travel, and who might have limited use of spoken English. They provide you with a ‘home away from home’ and a view into how a typical New Zealand family lives. If you choose homestay, there is no guarantee that you will have internet access, or be close to campus, so transport could limit you. You will need to arrange a homestay prior to arriving in Dunedin.

More information: Contact Otago Polytechnic Accommodation Officer Anna Seiuli:  aseiuliop.ac.nz

Supervised accommodation is a great option, especially for first year students. You are guaranteed to meet heaps of new people, you’ll probably get two or three square meals a day and you won’t have to worry about extra expenses like power and phone rental.

City College is located in North Dunedin, in the heart of the student area. You will live in apartment-style accommodation with ‘flatmates’ and dine in a communal eating area. City College has excellent recreation facilities and study facilities.

Salmond College is an easy 15 minute walk from our Dunedin campus. It has great facilities for study and recreation and a communal eating area for meals. Free study tutorials are also available.

Please note that places at these Colleges are limited – you must try and lodge your application before the end of September each year.

Cost: NZD ~$300 per week

Would this suit you?: You must submit an application for accommodation in a residential college by September 30^th, so supervised accommodation is only available to students who are very organised! Halls of residence are very social places and students have many opportunities to make friends and engage in a lot of social activities. Supervised accommodation also offers students extra support services as they often deal with people who have left home for the first time.

Students can choose to share an apartment or house (with your own room) with other people, commonly referred to as ‘flatting’ in New Zealand. When flatting, students typically share living costs such as electricity, telephone and food, as well as duties such as cooking and cleaning.

Most students ‘flat’ close to campus in North Dunedin, a part of the city that is heavily occupied by students attending Otago Polytechnic and the nearby University of Otago.

‘Flatmate wanted’ ads are found on noticeboards throughout the campus, on student radio (91FM) and on websites like www.trademe.co.nz (flatmates wanted). They are also regularly advertised in the newspaper (Otago Daily Times), particularly the Saturday and Wednesday issues under ‘Flatmates Wanted’:  http://www.easyroommate.co.nz/Student-Accommodation/otago/dunedin-flatmates

Cost: $80 - $130 per room, per week + food, electricity and internet/phone charges

Would this suit you?: Flatting is an independent way to meet people and be integrated into Dunedin’s social and ‘student’ life, and suited to those who want to live independently. Flats in North Dunedin vary greatly in size and condition – you will generally find that the more expensive flats are insulated, heated and close to campus. Be aware though that many are not insulated and can therefore be very cold in the winter (especially large wooden villas) with many needing to spend a lot of money on heating. Most people who live in Dunedin will buy heaters for their rooms and electric blankets for their beds, so electricity can get more expensive in the wintertime.

Flat Rating Scheme: In an attempt to make both landlords and students more accountable for flats, the city has recently launched a rating system and website which will help give you information about a flat you could be interested in.Visit: http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/student-housing

There is  range of accommodation available for students in the Cromwell area. You will need to organise your accommodation before you arrive as it can be difficult to find accommodation at short notice in Central Otago.

Flatting Privately: There are good houses to rent in Cromwell, usually furnished three or four bedroom homes that cost between NZD$85 and NZD$120 per room per week in rent and NZD$80 to NZD$100 per week in expenses.

Hostel Accommodation - Rosewood Accommodation Park: Offer a range of accommodation options, and their on-site bar and bistro offers favourite meals at an affordable price in a friendly environment. They look forward to welcoming you, and helping make your time as an Otago Polytechnic student as enjoyable as possible.  For more information about the Rosewood Accommodation Park, visit their website here.