Study Abroad at Victoria University of Wellington

I studied at Victoria University of Wellington Te Herenga Waka through Arcadia University's study abroad program (US-based) during trimester 1 and had the most incredible experience! It was lovely traveling all around Aotearoa, but I loved Wellington, and if I could do it all over again, that is definitely the city I would have chosen to live in. It is quirky and artsy and fun, and the public transit (buses and trains) was super affordable and reliable. I made lots of friends and got to feel a sense of home in the city. I especially recommend this study abroad program for creative writers (although everyone would enjoy it) because of the International Institute of Modern Letters, which offers incredible creative writing courses you can apply to! I took two IIML courses during my trimester and learned so much, in addition to making lots of friends. Wellington and VUW were definitely the right choice for me, and I'd strongly recommend it as a place to study abroad!

I had an amazing time abroad in Wellington! I met so many incredible people and had so much fun doing various activities and exploring all over New Zealand. I recommend this to anyone interested in branching out and widening their social circles! It was so easy to make friends and connect with new people - and then to go on and create awsome memories with them. If you can, go to Abel Tasmin! I loved going there, hiking, and kayaking! But I have to say I definitely recommend Wellington, it’s the perfect blend of city and country!

VUW was awesome!! I loved living in Wellington and having housing close enough to walk downtown while still being in a quiet neighborhood. VUW was much, much bigger than my home school, so it was really fun and different getting to attend a school with such a different culture and feel. My classes were pleasantly challenging and had a really fun mix of undergraduate and auditors. There were tons of resources that VUW offered and sooo many clubs. I really enjoyed my time there. There's a lot of really artistic and interesting people who were fun to get to know. It was great going to a school with such a big international population, too. Shoutout to the Ramsey House for hosting all us crazy international students!!!

Studying abroad in Wellington at Vic has been an incredible journey! The international orientation made me feel at home right away, connecting me with like-minded people from all over the globe. Moving across the world was daunting, but the warm and friendly staff created a supportive environment, making the transition smooth. Wellington's vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and endless activities have enriched my experience. From exploring the captivating museums to hiking the picturesque hills, every moment here is an adventure. I've grown academically, personally, and culturally, and I can't help but cherish this amazing chapter of my life. Wellington is a truly remarkable city that embraces diversity and leaves an indelible mark on your heart!

Awesome home base for an exchange experience! Staff for university was typically easy to contact and resolved problems well. Staff for housing a little less accessible but were great and quick to resolve issues when they were available. Wellington is a very cool city and a great place to be around. Also good for jumping off to explore either island of NZ. Loved the many people I met there who came from many different backgrounds. Overall a great experience and I have absolutely no regret in choosing VUW!

I’m very grateful to have been a student living in Wellington from Feb-June. I had an incredible time meeting new people, making new friends and immersing myself in the culture of New Zealand. VUW had a lot of clubs that I was able to join, including meditation club and tramping club, in which I made some fun memories. These activities helped me be more mindful as well, and I’ll continue to pursue these hobbies in my home country. I still keep in touch with the people I met after moving back and I hope to keep those wonderful connections.

Wellington is definitely a city based on walking, so bring good walking shoes and be prepared for your legs to hurt. Figure out public transportation because it is a life saver! Other than that there are so many amazing small stores and restaurant/cafes to explore so try something new as much as possible. And going for walks everyday can help with finding your way around the city and getting the most out of Wellington in general. Definitely go up to the botanical gardens also, during the day and at night it's beautiful all of the time.

I was here for just one trimester, which definitely wasn't enough. The city is fantastic (my favorite in NZ), and you could definitely spend your entire time just staying nearby. We traveled a TON, which was really easy from Wellington as it's pretty central to everything. The academic standard is definitely way below the U.S., at least from my institution, but in my experience that just allows you to spend more time in the city and traveling. Don't study abroad to study -- you can do that every other semester :)
The housing is pretty good, though I know they changed locations for this semester. I will say that all the Americans noticed that the Kiwis typically have less experience flatting, so they often don't clean... hopefully, your flatmates will listen when you tell them this, but if now, trimesters are short enough to deal with it. There's a fantastic hiking and backpacking scene, and even as a solo woman I felt very safe and frequently freedom camped. I definitely recommend going in the northern summer (so the first trimester) -- best temperatures and climate. The attempts at indigenous reintegration are really interesting, and NZ in general is a great place to study indigenous land management and knowledge. NZ is NOT the place to come and spend all your time in the city -- I would recommend it most for those interested in the outdoors or at least willing to explore other cities! It's very difficult to get to the country since it's so far away from pretty much everything, so you really want to make the most of it.