I'm Alexandra Grace, Educator at New Zealand Embassy Beijing. Today I will give you a brief introduction of New Zealand's higher education. Small {#blank#}1{#/blank#} it may be, New Zealand offers quality higher education opportunities, with two {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (three) of its higher education institutes within the top 10 of QS World University Rankings 2014. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} makes New Zealand's universities stand out is their abilities {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (provide) high-end education.

    Though Chinese students form the largest international student group in New Zealand, the country only ranks the 7th on Chinese students' most {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (desire) overseas destination list. The size of the country prevents it {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (become) a hot study destination. But it draws students with its {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (safety) and multi-cultural environment.

    While it attracts mainly wealthy students, higher education in New Zealand is also affordable for many common Chinese families. Chinese students can get {#blank#}8{#/blank#} British-based education with the school fee being some of the lowest in the world. {#blank#}9{#/blank#} average, the school fee was about 25, 000 dollars per year, and the living costs were about 20, 000 dollars a year. Besides, students can do some part-time jobs. The money {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (earn) in those jobs is enough for them to travel around the country and enjoy its breath-taking scenery.

    In the age of the smart phone, there seems no reason to ask questions about: the weather forecast, a business's phone number or directions, {#blank#}1{#/blank#} can be easily found on Google, but very often people {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(actual) ask these things by {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(make) a phone call. Your answer may be replied to with a thank­you e­mail. This isn't the first time that great changes {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(take) place in our manners due to technology. In {#blank#}5{#/blank#} late 1870s, when the telephone {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(invent), people didn't know how {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(greet) a caller. Often there is just {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(silent). Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor, suggested that people say "Ahoy", {#blank#}9{#/blank#} finally "Hello" went out. The greeting is now used in everyday face­to­face communications. Try to be respectful no matter who you communicate {#blank#}10{#/blank#}. Just keep it in mind that politeness never goes out of fashion.