Program Reviews

New Zealand as a whole is such a welcoming country. I found Victoria University to be the exact same way- all staff, students and professors were inviting and extremely friendly. The campus itself is situated in a beautiful part of the city, and the views from the library are the most stunning vistas I have seen from a University campus. Classes are interesting, and the balance between large lectures followed by smaller tutorials is the perfect balance. Professors (although they prefer to be called by their first names) are always open for questions or private discussions. Classwork is challenging yet intriguing, and most courses were evaluated on research essays and fewer in-class tests, which was perfect. Breaks in the academic year offer the perfect opportunity to travel around the North and South Island, too. Overall, Victoria University offered an unforgettable time.

The most important experience for me was that everyone at Uni and in New Zealand in General was so friendly and helpful. I was very surprised that lercturers and students were on first Terms with each other, but that actually really improved the atmosphere, communication and learning Progress.
Future participants can be sure that they are in a well-supervised Programme where you can get help whenever you Need it and you are never let alone with any academic challenge. This is especially beneficial when you are not familiar with the study System. For me, it further ensured a good understanding and Achievement of important academic skills that I would not want to miss.

My experience, overall, was wonderful. There was a major housing situation at the end but before that, I had such a great time. Wellington is the coolest city and I hope to come back. The location of Victoria is great as well as the housing locations. The people at the university are quite nice as well as the staff. New Zealand has been absolutely stunning, I am so happy with the choice I made to study here.

I've been in Wellington for a year now and studied at Vic for two trimesters. I've loved my time here - my classes were interesting, my profs were really supportive and knowledgeable, and campus has a great vibe and sense of community. Beyond Vic, Wellington is such an awesome place to live and I'm going to miss the variety of cafes and vegan food and all the beautiful spots that have come to feel like home! I'm so glad I decided to come to New Zealand and to Vic.

VUW is a great school for people coming from abroad. The orientation program was well thought out and super helpful, and it was always clear where to go if you needed help. Unlike many Canadian and American universities, the lecturerers were not not necessarily professors, but people working in that field, which provided a lot of useful information for people looking to work in their area of study and not go into academics. I learned a lot of practical information I can use in my career. The school lets you do tailored programs of some of their certificate programs, which is a great opportunity and really introduces you to the city. The city itself is quite expensive to live in, but there's lots to do.

At first I was hesitant to study in New Zealand with not having heard much about the country before coming. Upon getting here, we were greeted by a representative who got us straight to our housing accommodations which were extremely clean and spacious. Vic was also very welcoming, nobody even bat an eye and noticed I was foreign when sitting in my classes. I wouldn't hesitate to come back and do it all again. And if you want to "work" while here, there are many clubs and volunteer opportunities you can be a part of which are all FREE!!

Wellington is a good city to live in for a shorter period. It got everything a big city needs, while being small enough for you to feel at home after a few weeks.
People are very kind and helpfull. New Zealand is quite isolated fromt the world, and this is what makes it so great. The nature is unspoiled, the people are very laid back and there is no stress about style. It might be very windy here, but the summer weather is great and I loved how there is a beach right in the city! Also how people walk everywhere!

Every single aspect of the abroad experience in Wellington, New Zealand has been nothing short of amazing. You constantly hear about the beauties of New Zealand but nothing compares to seeing it with you own eyes. Kiwis are some of the most friendly people I have ever met and the entire atmosphere in Wellington does not disappoint. The ISA staff (shout out to Fred) was so helpful in every way possible and the orientation program I was a part of helped me adjust to the culture quickly. If there is anything I will take a way from the experience its the PEOPLE. I have been able to meet so many international students from across the world and I don't think I would have been able to have that experience in a less independent program like in Europe. Overall, I absolutely LOVE New Zealand and am so grateful for the incredible experience!!!

Welcoming was great. The first week I didn't have to worry about anything - they made sure I had all the information I needed, they followed me door to door so I would not get lost, and they provided guides and opportunities to get to know other students and thus make new friends from the very first day. Vic U is extremely helpful and quick to get back to you. The student to professor contact is so much better than I am used to in Sweden. The campus - Kelburn specifically, is much nicer than the university in Stockholm.
It is so crazy developing to do an exchange - I have grown so much academically (having to learn new ways of studying as the approach and demands here are just as different as the content) and personally: it is a challenge to introduce yourself to an entirely new environment. I have loved my exchange so far and decided to prolong it for another trimester even!

I have been here in Wellington for a little over three months now, and I have a month-and-a-half left. So far, this experience has been an adventure in every sense of the word. This is my first time living independently, as well as my first time out of the country. Wellington, "the coolest little capital," is a really lovely little city, where all the important resources are within walking distance. The farmer's market every Sunday is fantastic, and the theatre scene is really wonderful. I don't prefer to drink or go out, but I have heard that the night life is also a lot of fun. University life is more relaxed than the U.S., but still passionate and inquisitive and hardworking, and the Victoria Library is unbeatable. During the breaks, I've been able to travel to some of the most beautiful places in the world, and the travelling itself is relatively inexpensive! The wind is a bit overwhelming, but even that just adds to the magic of living in this lovely place for a little while.