Victoria University of Wellington

I've really enjoyed my time traveling and studying in Wellington. It's one of the most beautiful and charming cities that I've ever lived in, filled with so much life and community. I've found that the accessible public transport and the city's landscape layout make it one of the most walkable and convenient areas to travel around in the North Island.

It's an incredibly safe environment to be in, and I'd especially recommend studying here for first-time exchange students and travelers.

One of my favorite aspects of living here has been the community of friends and students I've been able to surround myself with. The Sunday Market along the harbor is also a really affordable way to get weekly groceries and a charming part of the city.

Wellington is an incredibly cool city. The public transportation is well-organised, making it easy to explore a significant portion of the city and its surrounding nature. The school has a wonderful campus, and student support is taken very seriously. There is so much to do, including fun bars and clubs, walks in the bush or on the beach, lots of restaurants, and so much more. The most shocking thing is how steep everything is. While the walks to and from school can be brutal, it also means that the views are incredible.

I am getting my Masters in Criminology at the Victoria University of Wellington. I'm only one trimester in but have immensely enjoyed the program so far. I came to New Zealand to experience New Zealand as a whole, not simply for an education, but I have enjoyed the education as much as the country. The lecturers and course coordinators are extremely knowledgeable in their chosen fields and have made my MCrim experience extremely worthwhile. The campus is beautiful, and the integration of Māori culture is commendable.

I am studying a Master's in Marine Conservation by coursework. Within the first trimester, I have already been exposed to many new concepts in the field, which have expanded my understanding of conservation. The coursework is manageable, but sufficient for a graduate program. Expect to spend your time reading a lot of journal articles!

I have had so many opportunities to expand and grow outside of the classroom as well, which has really added to my experience. One of my favorite things is that the School of Biological Sciences has a weekly seminar series with internal and external speakers. This is just one example of the many ways you can augment your studies here at VUW. I highly recommend studying here!

My classes have had a good level of information without unnecessary vigor. The bio labs are very hands on and greatly supplement my learning. My professors feel incredibly approachable and are often quite excited to speak with ambitious students. There are also a wide range of opportunities to work with faculty, particularly in science, if you just ask your lecturers to work on their projects. This is quite different to the cutthroat nature in the US. One of the biggest downsides is that the range of classes offered is not nearly as expansive as that of a US university. I have had to take some random general bio classes that don't quite apply to my marine bio major. I am doing a dual degree with Global studies which feels very "create your own adventure." I've been able to take classes from Contemporary Issues in Science, Technology, and the Environment to Capital Cities: Their Cultures and People which all apply to my degree. The academics overall have been incredibly fun to engage in. Another downside is that there is not a "club culture" like there is at US universities. Most social clubs are skills based (sports, languages, etc) or academic or religion based. There is no milk and cookies club or crochet club. You have to work harder to find social groups outside of university.

The uni dorms are a bit different from the US. Single rooms are the standard and it is not a given that everyone will go to halls, many people opt to go flatting (live in an apartment) in their first year. Dining halls have far less options, usually one or two mains to choose from at each meal, and there is no on campus "dining dollars." There is also no "on campus" housing, although the closest hall is on the outskirts of the main Kelburn Campus. The hall staff are much more engaged with residents and their wellbeing here than in the US. There are also second year and up independent living halls which place you in apartments rather than dorms, so older students and those in study abroad have more flexibility.

Coming from the US, the cost of living is incredibly cheap, especially coming with savings. Everything is an equivalent cost, eg a coffee is $6 in US and NZ and rent is around $1500 monthly both here and there. HOWEVER, wage is much higher, generally $27-30 per hour, so daily expenses don't take nearly as much out of your paycheck. There's also no tipping or added tax, so the price you see is the price you pay, no $15 lunch turning into $25.

The city of Wellington is quite sleepy when compared to US cities, but it is SO MUCH safer. It's small size also lends itself to easy daytrips into the surrounding nature, even by foot, if you enjoy outdoor activities. The south coast has beautiful swimming and diving. Suburbs Aro Valley, Karori, and more have incredible hiking.

Overall, I've really enjoyed my time at Vic! It is definitely different than what you would find in the US, but I highly recommend looking into it for globally minded individuals looking for a new adventure.