Program Reviews

During my Study Abroad experience, I found that i was able to open up as a person and act as I truly wanted and I was very accepted. I have made great friends, friends who I will have forever and everyone is so supportive. Throughout my time here I have realized that traveling isn't about how many places you go or the pictures you take but rather who you get to experience these adventures with. My house has been more than supportive and it is always nice to come home to a nice and cozy home with great roommates. I am beyond grateful for my semester abroad and I would love nothing more than to see everyone else have the same experiences I have had.

I loved the experience of living and studying in Wellington. I lived in a Uni Hall house and I thought the atmosphere and accommodation really made my exchange experience unique and memorable. Wellington is a great place to live and explore and the proximity of the flat to campus and the city was really convenient. The support from the Uni and from Vic International was helpful in the beginning, but I found it really easy to adjust and soon did not really need their help.

My experience abroad in New Zealand was one of the most amazing experiences I have had thus far in my life. The opportunity to study in a different country than your own gives you the chance to broaden your world view not just in your education, but also your own life perspective. Victoria University of Wellington allowed me to travel through an amazingly, beautiful country and meet people from all over the world, while continuing my studies all at the same time! It is truly a once in a life time experience.

I must say one of the biggest contributor to my outstanding experience in Wellington, NZ must be because of my amazing flat mates. The accommodations here are all right, but you know, it's nothing more than you would expect from a student living. But my two flat mates (both international) have made every moment inside and outside of that flat x100 times better than I would imagine it being otherwise. This is one of the resons I love travelling so much, you truly get to meet so many cool people and you learn so much just by being around people from other countries and cultures. Of course there are times where you will meet some less cool people, but that's part of the experience as well so don't be afraid of that, because in another situation you're gonna score hard.

I have met some wonderful local kiwis as well, they are always super friendly and I've learned some funny slang from hanging out with those guys. I truly recommend anyone to find both local and international students to hang out with during an exchange, it's easy being an international student to only hang out with other internationals but getting to know the locals really adds some extra value to the experience.

I would also recommend anyone going here to travel travel travel as much as you can!! This country has soooo much to offer and is really easy traveling around. You can afford focusing a little less on the study's this semester, that's totally ok!

If I had to sum up this semester in one word I would just go with breathtaking. Partly because the nature is just so stunningly beautiful it literally takes your breath away but also because it's been such an intense semester in many ways and walking up and down the hills in this city everyday will surely have you out of breath... but it's just totally worth it!

New Zealand is great! Everyone is super nice and the country is just full of adventure. Academically it is different compared to home but definitely manageable! More written answers instead of multiple choice, which was different for me. This experience will allow me to be able to adapt to whatever environment I’m put in. I brought a bag full of tramping gear and it benefited me as I planed to do a lot of hiking and exploring during my stay. So if you’re planing on doing the same I highly recommend this!

I arrived with a group of students from the United States. We were all met with open arms by our housing staff and shown to our rooms that were cozy and paired with fantastic flatmates. The information for O-Week was clear and engaging and I met lots of fun friends that I bonded with for my whole time at Vic. My biggest advice for future students is to get involved! Join clubs and go to university events and get to know the people sitting next to you!

Building a new community is HARD. especially when you're used to having your people around for support, no questions asked, whenever you need. It's easy to take that forgranted I've discovered. But there are beautiful, like-minded people all over the world, and it just takes maybe a couple steps outside of your comfort zone to find them. Get involved. Do what you love. That's how you will find your people. <3

I am so grateful to have chosen wellington to come to study abroad! I honestly couldn't be happier with my decision. My experience in this city, and in this country, has been amazing. I have met so many wonderful people and have made so many memories. I feel at home here, and I wish I could stay longer. I loved everything about New Zealand, including the opportunity to live with a kiwi family, and having fun exploring both the South and North islands. I have also grown as a person, and I've learned to challenge myself and do things outside my comfort zone. Coming from the states, I didn't feel too much of a cultural difference, so it was easy to get adjusted and to fit in. Overall, I had an amazing time, I will definitely come back in the future!

Wellington is a wonderful city full of life, culture, and lot's to do, see and explore. VWU is run differently from my home school in Canada, there are fewer assignments, but each is worth a lot more. I found most lectures pointless because we were not tested on the material that was went over in class. It was much more 'self-taught' then I'm used to, which made it hard to find motivation to go to class. Overall the school was decent, but I would not pick VUW for its academics.

School is much more challenging than my home university in the states. It seems that professors are less likely to hand out A's to hardworking students. The housing situation and accessibility of the whole city has been incredible in helping my study experience and also helping in balancing school and travel/exploration. Victoria university is a big school with a small feel. The cafe's around campus make studying throughout the day fun and exciting. The library is easy to use and accessible, although it did take a little for me to figure out how to use it. All in all the transition was made easier by friends who came abroad with me in my program and all of us working together to adjust and embrace unusual situations.