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International student Kelly Wang - Source: ONE News -
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Teaching international students is a billion dollar industry that's been struggling in recent years.
After a big boom, the numbers coming to New Zealand dropped and businesses felt the effects.
However a resurgence is forecast for the industry, with students returning, and staying.
Cost is a factor for many students, with New Zealand being seen as a less expensive option.
"Compared to London, compared to America, it's a little bit cheaper," says international student Kelly Wang.
And the weakening New Zealand dollar is making New Zealand more attractive.
However cost is not the only factor.
International student numbers peaked in 2003 with the majority of students coming from China. But the following year numbers started to drop and have been declining ever since.
The safety of students in New Zealand became a concern.
High profile cases such as the 2003 manslaughter of a Japanese student, beaten to death by his classmates, put a dent in New Zealand's reputation.
In spite of falling numbers, international students are still seen as a financial opportunity.
Marlborough Boys College set up its own school in Changzhou, China as a money making venture. Chinese students would study over there, before spending their final year of college in New Zealand.
"It was seen as a great opportunity great opportunity to earn some funds additional to the government can give us," says Marlborough Boys board chair Phil Robinson.
However after initial strong interest, roll numbers soon dropped and the school was shut down. Marlborough Boys lost $300,000 and was forced to lay off staff.
Immigration consultants, who help foreign students, have also suffered in the down-turn.
Consulting company owner Kim Hoi says that the last few years have been hard, and the business considered reducing staff.
Although international student numbers are expected to increase this year, one organisation says residency rules are still too tough.
"We believe there's a number of potential immigration policy responses that could really make a difference as far as the New Zealand economy in the near future," says Richard Howard of New Zealand Association of Migration & Investment.
But one thing in New Zealand's favour is a friendly atmosphere.
"In New Zealand if you go somewhere, everybody smile to you, it's really friendly" says Wang.
