However, Muslim University of Otago postgraduate student Nurul Abdul found most people were understanding of her religious beliefs, and did not pressure her.
The 24-year-old moved from Malaysia to Dunedin with her family in 2003.
Muslim parents wanted the best education for their children, and hers chose Dunedin because it was home to the country's oldest medical school, she said.
In 2004, she began studying health science and was now working as a research assistant in the physiology department.
Moving to New Zealand did not concern Miss Abdul.
She enjoyed the culture, which she described as "down to earth", and she was "having a good time here".
"I think Kiwis are much more subtle people."
"However, the change did force her to start questioning her culture.
"The transformation placed her as a minority where she was once part of the majority, making her culture more "prominent".
"It makes me think more about Islam," she said.
She had never experienced racism, though others she knew had, and said most people she met were very understanding.
"It's about awareness.
"It can feel awkward because you are living against the mainstream, but they understand where I'm coming from."
Like any "good Muslim", she found the mosque where she made friends quickly.
Common issues such as finding places to purchase halal meat and prayer times were easily resolved as the community helped each other out.
"The beautiful thing about the Muslim community is we have that bond between each other."
The university was also supportive of its varying student population as non-alcoholic drinks were always provided at events and a prayer room was established last year, she said.