Rathkeale College has a long tradition of hosting International Students. The College prides itself on how it integrates these young men into the New Zealand way of life and its education system. This is a small school where class sizes are kept small so that individual students are well-known and cared for by the teachers, boarding house masters and matrons. Overall care is provided by the Director of International Students who keeps in close contact with parents and assists with insurance, flights and other day to day issues.
The International students stay in one of the three Boarding Houses on the school site. This gives them the opportunity to meet and mingle with the local boys and assists in increasing their proficiency in the English language. Boarding provides a wonderful first step away from home towards the independence and self-discipline required to succeed at University. For many students, opting to become more proficient in the English language in an English speaking environment, while learning the social skills necessary to succeed away from home, is the right choice to make at an early stage in their education. Rathkeale College provides this opportunity for its international students. International Students attend the Senior College on the Rathkeale site in Years 12 and 13.