International FAQs

A number of our students bring their children with them while they study at SIT.  You can find information on local schools here. 

Invercargill has a range of childcare options, from play groups to formal education settings.  You can find information on local childcare options from the Ministry of Education for parents website. 

Children of international students can access the New Zealand government’s 20 hours early childhood education funding, whether or not they are classified as international or domestic students.

Many of our students bring their families with them, so we are used to helping out students with families. 

Settling into life in a new country can sometimes be more difficult for the family than the student.  That’s why SIT provides help to ensure families of students settle in successfully.

We recommend spouses of students attend our orientation programmes – particularly our Kiwi culture, employment and accommodation workshops – to ensure they get up to speed with these important areas of life in New Zealand and meet other students. 

Spouses of students can access our international employment officer and participate in student activities.  Student’s families can also visit our on-campus nurse, chaplain and counsellors.