Liry Wang

New Zealand
Living Advisor

I was once an international student with no local experience, no network, and plenty of doubts—now I'm here to help you build your own path abroad.

Level
Intermediate
Role

Living Advisor

Bio

Hi, I’m Liry. I moved from China to New Zealand nine years ago as an international student. I completed my Master’s degree, found my first job in Wellington, and later settled in Christchurch. Like many people starting a new life abroad, I experienced uncertainty around study, work, visas, cultural differences, and building a career from scratch. I eventually obtained my New Zealand Permanent Residency after four years of working and living here.

I’m here to share practical insights about studying, working, and living abroad, including career development, workplace culture, job searching, adapting to life in New Zealand, and navigating the challenges many international students and migrants face.

What would you like to know about living, working, or building your future abroad?

This advisor can share these story and answers to you

Workplace Culture

What's the culture around overtime and taking leave?

How inclusive is the workplace culture here?

What does the work-life boundary look like here?

How do I adapt to workplace culture?

How do I build relationships at work?

Visa

What visa options fit my background?

How difficult is the visa approval process?

Can I switch employers on this visa?

Is permanent residency possible long-term?

Cost of Living

How expensive is daily life here?

Can I save money with this salary?

Which cities are more affordable?

What are the biggest monthly expenses?

Is public transport reliable and affordable?

Taxes

How does the tax system work here?

How much salary goes to taxes?

Do internationals get tax benefits?

Do I need to file taxes myself?

Are there hidden costs or deductions?

Immigration

How hard is it to immigrate long-term?

What pathways lead to permanent residency?

How long does the immigration process take?

Can my family join me later?

Healthcare

Is healthcare affordable for foreigners?

Do employers provide health insurance?

How good is the public healthcare system?

Can international workers access medical support easily?

What happens if I have an emergency?

Lifestyle

What is daily life like here?

Is it easy to make friends locally?

How safe is the city for internationals?

What activities do people do after work?

Is the lifestyle fast-paced or balanced?

Salaries

Is the salary enough for a comfortable life?

How often do people get salary increases?

Which industries pay the highest salaries?

Are bonuses and benefits common here?

How do local salaries compare internationally?

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3 mins
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Explore the most common questions about starting your global journey.
General questions for living abroad

Country Basic Questions

Work Visa Accessibility

Residency Potential

Cost of Living

Quality of Life

International Friendliness

Future Outlook