Program Reviews

This program was simple and easy to follow/navigate the adjustment abroad in finding classes, information, etc. It's definitely pretty expensive for international students, so budgeting becomes very important here. The classes are laid out pretty well, and if you miss something or don't understand they professors are helpful. They have many clubs and organizations to join which is nice and suggested.

I can't say enough how amazing my semester at Vic in Wellington has been, and I'm only halfway over. The city is fantastic and very student friendly. The people are kind, curious, and friendly. The food and drink culture is phenomenal. There are so many places to see and things to do. The classes at Vic (that I took) were interesting and fun. I love my house and flatmates. I have no complaints. I love it!

Hello! I am an engineering student who came to Vic to fulfill my humanities credits, and I must say, it was a brilliant choice. The school is beautiful, and I adore all the people here. Everyone is so nice and chill, and it was not challenging to meet people. I took 3 classes, each worth 20 papers, but I didn't find them particularly challenging, or at least not anymore challenging than the classes I would take back home. There are fewer assignments per class, however they are graded much harder, but if you put in the work, you will be pleased with the scores you get. I was very lucky to take an "Animals and Monsters of ancient Greece and Rome" class, and I loved that class so much that my required readings became my pleasure readings. The best part of only taking 3 or 4 classes here (which is the norm) is that there is a lot of time for exploring the incredible city of Wellington (seriously, Welly is like the best city in the world) and all of the beautiful parks and eco reserves around. Beyond that, it is not hard to plan a weekend trip to the south island or to head farther north (perhaps you would like to see some Hobbits in Hobbiton, or search for the elves in Kaitoke where they filmed Rivendell?). Whatever your reasons for considering studying in New Zealand, I really recommend Victoria University. It is the perfect fit if you want manageable and quality classes, while also having time to explore, live your life, become a part of the Kiwi culture, and have brilliant adventures.

Wellington and the rest of New Zealand is a lovely place to study abroad! Everyone has been so friendly and chill. Wellington is a vibrant city to live in, and New Zealand is an amazing place to explore, especially if you love outdoor adventures. Victoria University of Wellington is an impressive university that offers plenty of opportunities for exchange students. The staff is helpful and provides plenty of support to all students.

I would recommend an exchange to everyone. Victoria University was the perfect choice for me because it is such a well-organised place with much freedom for the students. There are countless options for students regarding courses, sports, events and other social activities. You feel like you're never alone because there is always someone to help you, like the health service, study advisors or your kiwimate.

Although I thought the level of study was a bit lower than I am used to, this was mostly compensated by the fact that there are much more assignments and essays during the course, which makes sure you fully engage with the study material. The teachers are also really helpful and interesting, and easy to approach. Only the accent takes some time to get used to ;) Overall a great experience!

Going to Wellington for my semester abroad was the best choice I could make! Victoria University is a great school that has a lot to offer and it cares a lot about its international students. I was impressed by the atmosphere in the Uni especially at Kelburn Campus. Everybody is really friendly and helps you out when there are any problems.
Wellington in gernal is a great city. It offers everything you want: culture, a great nightlife, stunning nature and great people. There are a lot of really nice places to go such as the Te Papa museum, the Botanical gardens or the harbour. We also did a lot of great hikes in the area of Wellington. It is really a place where you stay or get fit.
I lived in one of the Uni Hall houses which was a great experience since I was not used to live with so many people in one house. We had a lot of fun, parties and I made some great friends.
All in all I would recommemd everyone to do this experience at Victoria in Wellington- it was really great!

Studying at Victoria in Wellington is one of the best decisions I made! The city is great and its inhabitants are very welcoming. UniHall is a good accomodation provider and organizes more than enough social events, especially in the beginning of trimester. In UniHall, the most friends you make are other internationals and it can be quite difficult to make Kiwi friends in class. However, joining a club will bring you in contact with a lot of locals, id especially recommend the Korfball club, a very friendly bunch of people!

My stay so far at Vic has been the adventure of a lifetime! I love the inter national program at Vic- being able to socialize and live with people from all over the world allows me to get to know so many different cultures.

In a month or so, my exchange is coming to an end. I have absolutely loved my time spent studying at Vic Uni and living in Wellington, but there are things that I would have liked to have known prior to I embarked on my semester abroad in New Zealand.

Thus, beware that side effects of a semester abroad may include:
1. Getting a piece of your heart stolen by Wellington (and the New Zealand scenery in genereal)
2. Meeting friendly and easy-going kiwis
3. Getting friends from all over the world
4. Improving your English skills
5. Getting out of your comfort zone (whether it be traveling around by yourself, bungy jumping, skydiving, establishing a new life in new surroundings, etc. )
6. Drinking cheap, great tasting coffee and craft beer
7. Seeing cute and adorable lambs everywhere
8. Experiencing the great Wellington night life
9. Being awed on a daily basis by the beautiful Wellington surroundings and the New Zealand nature when going on trips
10. Drinking world renowned wine
11. Working out with an amazing view over Wellington at the Vic Uni Recreation Center
12. Making new friends while getting smarter and strengthening your resume when joining the Victoria International Leadership Programme
13. Enhancing your ability to make an excuse for treating yourself to a night out or a dinner at a restaurant (e.g. remember to celebrate the fact that Wednesday is the middle of the week, or that a restaurant has 2 for 1 meals on Mondays)
14. Being able to make all your friends back home jealous with every picture you post on Facebook or send them via Snapchat
15. Not wanting to leave Wellington because it has become your home away from home

Studying at Victoria has been a worthwhile and growing experience. Typical of most large universities, it is easy to be anonymous and fade out of the classroom. However, Victoria's University Hall accommodation makes a strong effort to help you find your niche, regularly facilitating bonding within the international community. Regarding Wellington, it is by far the best place to study in New Zealand. It has such a cool culture, is so walkable, and never boring. Even though study abroad is often oriented toward travel, at least 75% of your time is spent in your city of residence. Wellington has heaps of attractions nearby and great nightlife.