As someone who was nervous to study abroad at all, I’ve found everything about Wellington to be so welcoming, making me feel silly to have ever doubted it. This dynamic city has at any time been a host to parties at San Fran, peaceful strolls in the botanic gardens or zoo, people watching on Lambton Quay, or a friendly gathering with fellow students during one of IFSA’s scheduled activities. There is truly something for everyone. Of course, the education is worth the time and interest, the facilities are well equipped, and the support is all encompassing and never ending. New Zealand has endless adventure and beautiful natural landscape. Just when I get used to the scenery, another freaky looking bird caws at me and lands at my feet!

I had the most wonderful time in Wellington, NZ. The city has everything you could want: from my flat I could walk 10 minutes up into the mountains/nature, or 10 minutes down to the bay. I was there from February to June and even as winter came, the weather remained pleasant throughout. There’s so much to do in Welly itself but it’s also in the perfect central location of NZ to get anywhere quickly. Public transportation in the country is phenomenal. Megan, our lovely coordinator, took us to Paekakariki and many other places with the ease of a train that we could hop onto with our snapper cards. A few friends and I also took the train to go to what’s left of Rivendell (from Lord of the Rings set) in another park! Megan was so great at giving us recommendations, bringing the group together, and making sure we felt supported at all times. I knew she was always there to talk if I was feeling overwhelmed or having any issues (like with my eSIM card at the start!). Overall, my only wish is that I could’ve stayed in New Zealand longer. It’s a beautiful country with such kind people and so much to explore. I highly recommend going, doing things a little out of your comfort zone, and enjoying all that NZ has to offer.

I would be hard-pressed to think of an experience I would recommend more than studying abroad in Wellington, New Zealand, with IFSA. The application process was straightforward, there was clear communication leading up to departure, and I left the United States with ease. Upon landing in Auckland, I was greeted by incredibly kind Kiwis who eased my jetlagged self into the country. My main point of contact, Megan, was immediately friendly and offered tons of great advice before we reached our end destination of Wellington. Once arrived, my transition to studying at Victoria University of Wellington couldn't have been more seamless; I was well prepared for my course load, and the opportunity to befriend other Americans in the IFSA group before starting classes provided me with a great social circle right off the bat. I loved the location of our housing relative to the university and downtown Wellington, and it felt highly conducive to creating meaningful connections with Kiwis and other exchange students.

Throughout my time, Megan continued to serve as an invaluable contact. IFSA provided the perfect balance of support without feeling too restrictive; I knew I could count on Megan to be there where I needed her, such as when I had to make a trip to urgent care, as well as I was able to plan and take many overnight trips out of the city and feel truly independent. Furthermore, the IFSA planned excursions were a great bonus, and the final dinner and activity together felt like the perfect culmination of my time there alongside such fascinating, wonderful people.

Overall, New Zealand was a truly transformative experience where I was able to take the reins and go on so many unforgettable adventures. A country unlike any other, and IFSA enabled me to have the perfect experience.

IFSA's study abroad program to Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand was amazing!! I felt taken care of and supported from the moment we landed. Megan, our program leader (a.k.a. our kiwi mom) was unbelievably kind and welcoming. She even helped me navigate finding a doctor while abroad! She truly made the process of a adjusting to a new country and being away from family and friends so much easier. Miss her tons❤️ The IFSA program events were always enjoyable as well. For housing, we had an amazing placement super close to our university and the city. My flatmates were so incredibly welcoming, and we became very close. I was lucky to enjoy family dinners with them nightly! ❤️ Between IFSA events, school events, and Wellington, there was always something to do. Megan did a great job showing us the city. Wellington is vibrant, and the live music scene is incredible! There are countless street festivals, shows, and museums to see. I made it a mission to try a new cafe every Friday—Wellington is known for its amazing coffee scene. My experience was truly unforgettable and I'm so grateful for the huge role IFSA and Megan played in that.

I would do this trip one million times over if I could. I wish I could see everything I wanted and have the ability to travel all over the country. Money is limited and I did not have a car, so I did not see everything I wanted to. I got plugged in with clubs (most of which you have to pay for. I went to a Christian campus ministry called Navigators and I loved that!!) I miss the people and the landscape and everything so bad. I miss the slowness, the kindness, the others-centered and nature-centered mindsets, the amazing Asian food, and my friends. I would go back in a heartbeat. It was worth all the tears I shed leaving and the anxious flights there. If you are on the fence, lean into that feeling and push yourself outside your comfort zone. I will think of this trip forever.

A drawback was no oven in the dorms, but I think it made me a better/more creative cook. Also, I really appreciate the slowness and still moments, but others might consider the lack of things to do boring (if you do not involve yourself with other things).

I loved pretty much everything about my study abroad experience in Wellington! The IFSA program was supportive the whole way through (especially once we were on the ground), and I felt a great sense of community both with my IFSA cohort and with my Kiwi flatmates and classmates.

Welly was the perfect choice of NZ city. It was lively and vibrant and also had a ton of nature to explore. Classes at Victoria were typically less rigorous than my US courses, but that left me with a lot more time to explore the country, while still getting to study some interesting NZ-specific subjects (NZ history, Te Reo Māori) with great professors.

If you are interested in outdoor adventure, hiking, and meeting friendly people everywhere you go, I would 100% recommend the program! My biggest tip to anyone attending would be to not hesitate to seek out opportunities to explore from day one (both around Wellington and across the North and South Islands). There’s so much to see all across the country, and if you make plans with other people in your cohort it can be both super affordable and super rewarding.

Classes are ridiculously easy, so I get to spend tons of time exploring and enjoying life around Wellington and NZ. Met a lot of wonderful people through the university and the housing program. The flat itself isn’t great, but it gets the job done! IFSA staff are wonderful too! I have learned to love the hills, I love the city and its culture, and the Kiwi students, while reserved, are very kind. I also loved getting to know international students from around the world, especially Europe and Asia!

Welly was such a fun place to live! I have never really lived in a city like that before and it was super fun to be able to experience that. I made friends from not onlt the US and NZ but from other countries as well which were super fun. The housing was not the best as you do not get to live with Kiwis for the most part, but the accomadiations themselved were nice enough. I highly reccomend Welly as it works as its amazing to stay in the city itself, but also close enough to other things where travelling is not too hard.