Many Vietnamese students and their parents worry that studying in calm, low-traffic countries may feel dull for energetic Gen Z learners. Recent accounts from Vietnamese students in Finland and New Zealand suggest the opposite: these destinations provide structured, experience-rich environments that many young people find deeply rewarding.
Study in Finland and New Zealand and What Gen Z Values
Finland, repeatedly ranked at the top of the UN World Happiness Report, and New Zealand, among the safest nations globally according to the 2025 Global Peace Index, both attract students who seek quality education alongside a peaceful lifestyle. For Vietnamese applicants the appeal is practical as well as personal: strong academic standards, bilingual programmes and supportive immigration and scholarship frameworks make these markets more accessible.
Students point to several features that make quieter countries attractive. In Finland, teaching is learner centred and emphasises practical skills. Teachers are highly trained professionals, often required to hold a master’s degree, and English is introduced early so most Finns speak the language fluently. According to Lê Minh Ngọc, a student at Laurea University of Applied Sciences, the curriculum is project based and closely linked to local businesses. Those partnerships give students real-world experience and the chance to build soft skills while studying. Ngọc also notes that the option to work part time for up to 30 hours a week helps students practise communication and gain financial independence.
New Zealand offers a complementary model. Early immersion in outdoor activity, sport and the arts is part of many school programmes. Hà An Nguyên, who moved to Queenstown in Year 11 and later earned a commerce degree at Victoria University of Wellington, recalls initial surprise at the quiet town centres but soon discovered a busy student life outside business hours. New Zealand’s NCEA system limits students to a small number of subjects, freeing time for sport, outdoor learning and part-time work. Modules such as Outdoor Recreation send pupils weekly into natural settings to learn practical skills and resilience.
Beyond curriculum design, students highlight how calm environments reduce distractions common in large urban centres. An Nguyên says that without constant nightlife and the pressures of big cities, she had more time to read, pursue interests and reflect. Such spaces, she adds, support both academic focus and personal growth.
Officials and education professionals see these attributes as strengths in bilateral ties. Finland and Vietnam formalised diplomatic relations decades ago and upgraded to strategic partnership status in 2025. Educational exchanges and scholarship programmes have expanded, reflecting a long-term commitment to cooperation. New Zealand’s education agencies continue to promote experiential learning and safe study environments that appeal to families making long-term plans.
Costs also matter. Finland offers numerous bilingual programmes and comparatively lower tuition than many English-speaking countries, which can make study abroad more affordable for Vietnamese families. Meanwhile New Zealand’s emphasis on outdoor education and work–study balance creates a distinct pathway for students looking for holistic development rather than an urban campus experience.
For Vietnamese Gen Z, then, studying in Finland and New Zealand is seldom about choosing calm at the expense of opportunity. Rather, it is about finding a balance: rigorous, practice-oriented education combined with a lifestyle that fosters wellbeing and broad life experience. That balance answers many parental concerns about whether quieter countries can satisfy the energies and ambitions of the younger generation.
Key Takeaways:
- Study in Finland and New Zealand offers Vietnamese students a balanced mix of high-quality education and ample outdoor life.
- Both countries emphasise practical learning, strong English proficiency and opportunities for part-time work to build skills.
- Students report that quieter environments reduce distractions and create space for personal development and hands-on experience.
