Even if you hear "3 million yen a year," is the content completely different? Comparing study abroad costs [Canada vs. NZ High School Study Abroad: 5-Part Series Part 3]

This article is part of a 5-part series comparing high school study abroad in Canada and New Zealand from five different perspectives.

This is the third installment, and the theme is about "differences in money".

"I've heard the explanation, but I still don't really have a clear idea of how much my child's study abroad will actually cost..."

One of the most common questions in study abroad consultations is precisely this topic of money.
We often hear "about 3 million yen per year," but in reality, the content of that "3 million yen" differs significantly between Canada and New Zealand.

In this article, we will look at the breakdown in detail.

The fact that costs can fluctuate by hundreds of thousands of yen just from exchange rate changes

When considering study abroad costs, one thing that is surprisingly often overlooked is the exchange rate.

As of June 2026, the CAD/JPY rate is fluctuating around 113-114 yen, and the NZD/JPY rate is around 91-92 yen.

Compared to the rates assumed until recently, the yen is weakening against the New Zealand dollar and strengthening against the Canadian dollar, meaning that New Zealand study abroad is currently trending slightly cheaper, while Canadian study abroad is trending slightly more expensive.

Even if you are comparing with the same budget, the actual burden can change by hundreds of thousands of yen just from exchange rate movements, so this "current sense of the rate" is a very important point.

Since study abroad often lasts for 2-3 years rather than just one, it is also worth keeping in mind that the annual burden will change every time the exchange rate moves.

Even if New Zealand's tuition looks cheap, there are "hidden costs"

Tuition for public high schools in New Zealand is about NZD 15,000 to 20,000 per year. It has increased by about 4-5% for the 2025-26 academic year.
Calculating at the current rate, it feels like roughly 1.4 to 1.8 million yen for tuition alone.

However, costs other than tuition pile up on top of this.

Enrollment fees are NZD 200-1,000, uniforms are 500-1,500, school buses are 1,000-2,500, extracurricular activity fees such as clubs are 800-3,500, the student visa application fee is NZD 850, and insurance premiums are also required separately.

"I thought it was cheap looking only at tuition, but it ended up being more expensive than I thought when I added it all up" is a common story.

Insurance premiums also vary depending on the plan you join, so it is safer to compare quotes from multiple schools and agents before signing a contract.

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In Canada, the cost varies significantly depending on the school district

In the case of Canada, for example, in the Vancouver school district, tuition for international students is approximately $17,000 CAD per year.
At the current exchange rate, that calculates to over 1.9 million yen just for tuition.

On the other hand, there are cases where tuition is kept lower in school districts away from urban areas, so even within Canada, the cost varies significantly depending on 'which school district you choose.'

Also, if you choose a private school or boarding school instead of a public school, the tuition will jump even higher.
'Public or private' is also one of the essential axes to consider when thinking about costs.

What happens when you look at the total for 3 years?

Let's estimate the 3-year total based on the tuition fees mentioned so far.

New Zealand is approximately 1.4 to 1.8 million yen per year, so about 4.2 to 5.4 million yen for 3 years.

The Vancouver school district in Canada is approximately 1.9 million yen per year, so about 5.7 million yen for 3 years.

These figures are for tuition only; homestay fees, living expenses, insurance premiums, etc., are charged separately.

Nevertheless, I think it is worth comparing the fact that there is such a difference in tuition alone.

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The reason I want you to check 'what the total cost is' first

Another thing I want to convey regarding costs is the issue of 'how to provide a quote.'

In New Zealand, enrollment fees, uniforms, bus fares, extracurricular activity fees, visas, and insurance are all billed separately, so it is difficult to grasp the overall picture if you are only presented with the tuition fee.

In Canada, too, tuition varies greatly depending on the school district and school, so you cannot judge based only on a rough estimate of 'XX yen per year in Canada.'

Whichever country you choose, the most reliable way is to confirm at the beginning, 'Please provide a written breakdown of the total costs incurred in one year.'

It is important to understand the actual amount, including tuition, living expenses, insurance, visas, and other fees, before traveling.

Even if you hire an agent, I want you to carefully check whether there are any hidden costs, such as markups on remittance fees.

A sincere agent should disclose the breakdown of all costs on their own before being asked.
Conversely, you should be careful with agents who try to gloss over it by saying 'it's about this much,' as there is a risk that additional costs will arise later.

It is better to compare after knowing the 'breakdown' of costs

This time, I talked about the differences in costs between Canada and New Zealand.

Even with the same figure of "around 3 million yen," the actual burden varies considerably depending on exchange rates, school districts, and the availability of scholarships.

Rather than asking "which one is cheaper in the end," I hope you will think about "which combination is realistic for your family."

The topic of costs is closely linked to the differences in "living" that I will cover next time.
This is because hidden costs also change depending on where you live and your lifestyle.

For those who want to know more about the breakdown of these costs, I recommend the book written by Study Abroad Papa, "Overseas Study Abroad for Junior and Senior High School Students: A Book That Expands Your Self and Future Every Time You Learn."

It summarizes realistic information that no one else will tell you, so please take a look.

"How much would it actually cost for my family?"
"I want to seriously start preparing for study abroad from now on"
"I want to consult about specific plans and local information"

For those who say,free consultation/free counselingis also available.

Study Abroad Papa, who has experience studying at a university in the US and has supported his daughter's high school study abroad as a parent, and Erin, who studied abroad at a Canadian high school from zero English proficiency at age 15, will think about your anxieties and questions together with you.

We will never force anything on you or talk as if "study abroad is a given."
Please feel free to send us a message.

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