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Study Abroad | Wellington

New Zealand | Victoria University | Spring 2024
Cliffs in New Zealand.
A group of students on a mountain in New Zealand.

Select Your Program Option:

  • Spring 2024

  • Fall 2024

  • Spring 2025

Overview

Spend a semester or academic year in the vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Wellington, New Zealand, with AIFS! Study a variety of academic program options at Victoria University, rated as one of the top 5% business schools worldwide. Home to 22,000 students, the campus is centrally located in the city. Begin your program in spectacular Fiji with the Optional Pacific Studies Program in Suva.

What’s Included

The AIFS inclusive program fee includes all of the great features below in addition to many pre-departure, on-site and upon-return services to help students make the most of their time abroad.

Review Our Policies
  • Tuition

    Up to 16 semester credits

  • Courses

    Wide variety of courses available; taught in English

  • Housing

    University residence hall

  • Excursions & Day Trips

    3-day excursion to Rotorua

  • Cultural & Social Activities

    A wide range of AIFS-organized cultural activities and social events to enrich your experience

  • Onsite Program Coordinator

    To help with any questions or advice you may need throughout the program

  • Health & Safety

    24/7 emergency support and comprehensive insurance

  • Personal/Professional Development

    Access to the renowned Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment and alumni network

  • Green Initiative

Additional Options & Opportunities

  • Flight Package

    U.S. to Fiji/Fiji to Wellington/Wellington to U.S. flights with Optional Pacific Studies Program

    U.S. to Wellington/Wellington to U.S. flights without Optional Pacific Studies Program

    Airport transfers to and from campus

  • Optional Pacific Studies Program

    Fiji (7 days)

Program Details: Study Abroad | Wellington Full Curriculum

Program is closed

Dates

February 18, 2024June 22, 2024

Term

Spring

Institution

Victoria University

Application Deadline

October 15, 2023

Inclusive Fees

$19,990

Stay for a year to save on cost

Eligibility

Open to Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Minimum of 2.7 GPA

Additional requirements may vary by course selection. See Academic section below.

Visa Requirements

Students must obtain a mandatory visa for entry into New Zealand. Apply online through the Immigration New Zealand website. Information will be sent to you once you have been accepted into the program. Visas aren’t required in Fiji for U.S. citizens.

Areas of Interest

  • Anthropology
  • Architecture
  • Area Studies
  • Art History
  • Communications
  • Criminal Justice
  • Economics
  • English
  • Environmental Studies
  • Finance
  • Foreign Language
  • Geography
  • History
  • International Relations
  • Journalism
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Natural Resources & Conservation
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Religious Studies
  • Travel and Tourism

Global Themes

  • Arts, Culture and Creative Industries
  • Business, Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
  • Education, Social Services, and Psychology
  • Global Peace, International Security and Human Rights
  • Global Sustainability
  • Health Sciences and STEM
  • Language, History and Culture
  • Social and Criminal Justice
Learn More About Global Themes

Academics

AIFS Abroad offers a unique global educational experience for students on this program, with the following academic options available:

Home to around 22,000 students, including 3,000 international students, Victoria University offers a comprehensive range of internationally recognized courses and degrees. With AACSB, Equis and AMBA approved business courses, Victoria’s Business School is in the top 5% of business schools worldwide. In addition to business, students can also study the sciences, architecture, design, education, engineering, music or humanities including courses in Māori and Pacific languages. 

Offered in Fall 2023 and beyond

Students choosing the Fiji option will begin their academic program with a course in Pacific Studies at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji for 1 credit. This course is taught both in the classroom and the field with a wide variety of included field trips. A minimum enrollment of 5 students is required for this program to run. 

Fiji 

Famous for its palm-fringed white sandy beaches and clear azure seas, Fiji is a true paradise. Cultural roots and traditions are strong in Fiji and the population is an eclectic blend of indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians. English is the official language and visitors will find themselves greeted by a welcoming shout of “bula!”

Suva, located at the south-eastern corner of Fiji’s largest island, Viti Levu, is Fiji’s capital city and the largest city in the South Pacific with a population of 170,000. Once a flourishing colonial center, sights include fine historic buildings, rusting shipwrecks on the reef, the old cemetery with its Chinese area and a lively fish market.

University of the South Pacific

The University of the South Pacific (USP) is the premier institution of higher learning for the South Pacific region, uniquely placed in a region of extraordinary physical, social and economic diversity.

Established in 1968, USP is the only university of its type in the world. It is jointly owned by the governments of twelve island countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Samoa. The university has campuses in all the twelve-member countries.

The University of the South Pacific’s main campus is located among pleasant surroundings in Suva, Fiji. The site of a former New Zealand sea-plane base, the campus includes a small botanical garden and the USP Oceania Center for the arts. AIFS provides a Social and Cultural Coordinator and an Academic Coordinator from the university to supervise the program. The list below is a sample of the lecture subjects covered by USP:      

  • Settlement and Colonization of the Pacific: Western Contact, Self-Determining and Independence Movements
  • Contemporary Issues in the Pacific: Climate Change and Sea–Level Rise
  • Contemporary Issues in the Pacific: Traditions, Capitalism and Globalization
  • Traditional Arts of Oceania

Housing and Meals in Fiji

The Optional Pacific Studies program in Fiji begins and ends with one night in a hotel in Nadi. For the remainder of the program, you will reside in a double occupancy homestay with a local family in the center of Suva. This will give you an insider’s view of how people on the island live; a completely different experience than you would get as a tourist in Fiji. The family will provide transportation to and from the campus, which is located just outside the city center and they will also provide breakfast and dinner every day. You must purchase your own lunch at the university cafeteria.

The flight from Fiji to Perth and airport transfers are included for students taking the Pacific Studies Program and the AIFS Flight Package.

The Full Curriculum Program at Victoria University allows students to choose from across the university’s entire curriculum of courses (subject to prerequisites) in a wide range of disciplines including art history, business, economics, English, environmental studies, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology and more. 

A 5-credit internship course (FHSS Internship) with a work-based project while on a voluntary placement is offered through the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Additionally the 5-credit interdisciplinary “Future of Work” course critically examines the changing nature of work and employment and asks students to apply their understanding to a specific challenge presented by a Wellington-based organization. This course is only available in the fall semester. 

Special courses in Maori Studies and Pacific Studies are also available. These courses give you a deeper awareness, appreciation and understanding of New Zealand’s history and culture, past and present and of some of the issues and complexities facing the Pacific region today. 

Most courses are recommended for 4 or 5 semester credits. The maximum course load in a semester is 16 credits, equivalent to 3 or 4 courses depending on course combination, but this can lead to a very demanding schedule. The minimum course load is 12 credits. All courses are taught in English. 

Areas of study include: biotechnology and biodiversity, business, climate, creative arts and communication, culture and identity, data science or software and computing, education, environment and biodiversity, global studies, health studies, language, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, society and ethics 

The Specialized Study Abroad program at Victoria University has been designed for visiting students to allow you to focus on a particular area of study in more depth. Students select at least 3 courses from a particular study area and receive recognition on their transcripts of this specialization. 

The Full Curriculum Program at Victoria University allows students to choose from across the university’s entire curriculum of courses (subject to prerequisites) in a wide range of disciplines including art history, business, economics, English, environmental studies, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology and more. 

A 5-credit internship course (FHSS Internship) with a work-based project while on a voluntary placement is offered through the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Additionally the 5-credit interdisciplinary “Future of Work” course critically examines the changing nature of work and employment and asks students to apply their understanding to a specific challenge presented by a Wellington-based organization. This course is only available in the fall semester. 

Special courses in Maori Studies and Pacific Studies are also available. These courses give you a deeper awareness, appreciation and understanding of New Zealand’s history and culture, past and present and of some of the issues and complexities facing the Pacific region today. 

Most courses are recommended for 4 or 5 semester credits. The maximum course load in a semester is 16 credits, equivalent to 3 or 4 courses depending on course combination, but this can lead to a very demanding schedule. The minimum course load is 12 credits. All courses are taught in English. 

Areas of study include: biotechnology and biodiversity, business, climate, creative arts and communication, culture and identity, data science or software and computing, education, environment and biodiversity, global studies, health studies, language, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, society and ethics 

The Specialized Study Abroad program at Victoria University has been designed for visiting students to allow you to focus on a particular area of study in more depth. Students select at least 3 courses from a particular study area and receive recognition on their transcripts of this specialization. 

View All Courses For Full Curriculum
Kaitlyn Instagram Takeover

A DAY IN THE LIFE Wellington

Meet Kaitlyn, a college student from @unccharlotteofficial who took over the AIFS Abroad Instagram story recently to answer questions about what it’s like to study abroad in Wellington, New Zealand for a spring semester! Tune in as Kaitlyn highlights what a typical day in the life looks like there.

Girl posing in front of a tree.

Living Abroad

Student Residence

In Wellington, you will live in a residence hall which offers a supportive, friendly environment and a chance to meet students from New Zealand and around the world.

  • Double rooms
  • Shared fully-equipped kitchens
  • Shared living area and bathroom with 3-5 other students

Internet access is included in all AIFS housing in Wellington. Single rooms may be available for a supplement. Contact the AIFS Program Advisor for details.

Transportation Subsidy

AIFS students receive a transportation subsidy when in Wellington for use on the excellent public transportation system.

Geography

Wellington is the political and cultural heart of New Zealand as well as the geographical center of the country. More than 400,000 people live in Wellington which is situated on the southern-most tip of the North Island, set between a beautiful harbor and rolling green hills. 

Cuisine

Wellington is also known as the culinary capital, famous for tucked-away bars, quirky cafes, award-winning restaurants, curly fries and really good coffee.

On-Site Program Coordinator, Academic Year and Semester Programs

Rajneet Kaur

Kia Ora! I’m excited that you are looking to study abroad in New Zealand. I moved to New Zealand in 2015 to study masters and had a great experience studying abroad. I am dedicated to ensuring that all of our AIFS students have a similar life-changing experience.

I work as part of the International Student Support team as an international student adviser. I help all our current and returning international students to make the most out of their time at Victoria University.

Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you have, happy to help!

The AIFS Program Director provides academic advice, introduces you to the community and handles communication with the University.

A cultural calendar of activities and social events is included in your program fee. These activities will include both typical tourist sites and attractions and lesser known visits which take advantage of the expert knowledge of our local AIFS staff and give you a more authentic and insightful view of “Kiwi” life. The university itself has over 100 social, sporting, religious, cultural and ethnic clubs for you to join. Past events and activities have included:

Lord of the Rings Location Tour

Follow in Frodo’s footsteps through Hobbiton Woods in the heart of the real Middle-Earth, Wellington. Visit Wellington locations used in the filming of “The Lord of the Rings”, learn little known facts about the movies and then travel to Miramar, home to Sir Peter Jackson’s and Weta New Zealand’s studios and post-production facilities. Visit Weta Workshop for a guided tour of the physical prop-making and make-up work of the studios followed by behind-the-scenes insight into the digital special effects side of the studio.

Pamper Your Palate

Explore the compact capital on foot, learning about and sampling Wellington’s lively food scene while meeting makers, roasters, brewers and chocolatiers. This guided tour will introduce you to some of the city’s best kept foodie secrets and gourmet go-to hideouts.

Explore a Nature Lover’s Paradise

New Zealanders are passionate about the environment and Zealandia is a great example of their dedication to ecological restoration and living with nature. This must-see eco-attraction is home to some of New Zealand’s rarest birds, reptiles and insects living wild in their natural environment. A Zealandia guide will provide an overview of the sanctuary’s conservation efforts and share curious facts about the sanctuary’s inhabitants which include little spotted kiwi, tuatara and hihi.

Island Excursion

Get out on the water, enjoying a ferry ride across Wellington harbor to Matiu/Somes Island, one of the city’s most important conservation sites. A ranger will introduce you to the history of the island including its use as an animal quarantine station and military defense base. You will also learn about the unique and unusual native inhabitants of the island and the initiatives being undertaken to help endangered native creatures. Relax with a picnic lunch before returning to the city.

Wellington Rugby Experience

Immerse yourself in Kiwi culture cheering on either New Zealand’s national rugby team, the All Blacks, or local legends, the Hurricanes, at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium – affectionately known as the Cake Tin.

You may be asked to pay a small supplementary fee for some of these events.

Global Leadership and Service Learning: Wellington Plus 

Wellington Plus is a free service-learning oriented extra-curricular program which improves leadership, social responsibility and employability skills. Make connections with other students, employers and people in the not-for-profit sector across Wellington and gain valuable experience, broadening your thinking and learning, and reflecting on your selfdevelopment throughout the semester. Wellington Plus is focused on personal and professional development, offering a range of workshops and seminars on leadership and social responsibility, and personal and career development as well as an ePortfolio tool providing insight into your abilities and preparing you for résumé writing and interviews. The one semester Certificate version of the Wellington Plus Award is open to study abroad students. 

The Wellington International Leadership Program 

The award-winning Wellington International Leadership Program (WILP) is a free, self-paced extra-curricular program aimed at exploring the leadership challenges around global issues, building global competency and employability. Students have the opportunity to engage in meaningful ways with staff and students from across the university community, the Wellington diplomatic community, not-for-profit organizations and the commercial sector. The program is oriented around seminars, speaker events and experiential activities which inspire students to think creatively about how to address global leadership challenges. A one-semester Certificate version of the WILP is open to study abroad students. 

International Buddy Program 

Get the insider’s view of life in Wellington with a pre-arranged and matched local student contact. Students are paired up with current students based on a few common interests in order to extend friendship and peer support on a volunteer basis. Buddies have the opportunity to “meet” via email prior to the start of the semester. Victoria University of Wellington International hosts a welcome event and a variety of other events for all buddies throughout the semester. All local buddies receive support training to assist in their role, and on-going support is provided for all students through Victoria University of Wellington International and the Buddy Program Coordinator. 

Find out more 

There are gyms located on the Kelburn and Pipetea campuses with weight training and cardio equipment, indoor and outdoor sports areas for volleyball, soccer, basketball and tennis. The Kelburn Recreation Center offers group exercise classes and also runs a variety of sports leagues and outdoor adventure excursions. 

Excursions

This program offers a range of day trips and excursions that will take you outside Wellington and deepen your social, historical and cultural understanding of New Zealand. Previous excursions have included:

Rotorua.

Rotorua

Visit Huka Falls, Rainbow Springs and the Polynesian Spa, Mitai Maori Village, the Lady Knox Geyser and Wai-O-Tapu, a geothermal park. Participate in your choice of adventure and adrenaline activities. Includes round-trip transportation, accommodations, entrance fees, daily breakfast, one lunch and two dinners.

  • New Zealand
  • 3 Days
  • Included in Program Fee
Barcelona,Spain
A group of happy students at a carnival.
A view of Prague.

Social identity & access

One of the best things you can do before departure is enter into the journey knowing that your time abroad will be unique to this experience. The resources, community, and support available to you when abroad will likely be different as well. In order to help you prepare for your experience, we have compiled many resources about social identity and access in specific locations abroad. Your program staff will also provide you with more details pre-departure and during orientation.

Learn more

Important Dates & Deadlines

Request Info

Closed

Program is closed

Dates & Deadlines

Details

  • Early Application Deadline*
  • Application Deadline
    October 15, 2023
  • Deposit Deadline
    November 5, 2023
  • Scholarship Deadline
    October 1, 2023
  • Visa Deadline****
  • Optional Departure Flight from US***
    February 16, 2024
  • Program Begins
    February 18, 2024
  • Program Ends
    June 22, 2024
  • Optional Return Flight to US***
    June 22, 2024
  • *** Included for students on AIFS flight package.
  • **** AIFS Abroad offers visa processing services to applicants who enroll into the program by this date. All other applicants who enroll after this date will be responsible for securing their own visa with guidance from AIFS Abroad.

Optional Flight Package

Students can select an optional transportation package for all AIFS programs. Students who choose to book their own flights should meet up with group at the program location and will need to make their own ground transportation arrangements.

Below are fees by departure city based on average historical costs and subject to change. If you select this option on your application, the total flight package price will be confirmed in your account 6 months prior to departure. (Program fee is guaranteed.)

Depature City

Fee

  • Atlanta
    $2,860
  • Boston
    $2,880
  • Buffalo
    $2,880
  • Charlotte
    $2,940
  • Chicago
    $2,840
  • Cincinnati
    $2,800
  • Columbus
    $2,800
  • Dallas
    $2,720
  • Denver
    $2,720
  • Des Moines
    $2,900
  • Detroit
    $2,860
  • Houston
    $2,700
  • Los Angeles
    $2,460
  • Miami
    $2,980
  • Minneapolis
    $2,900
  • New York
    $2,880
  • Newark
    $2,880
  • Orlando
    $2,800
  • Philadelphia
    $3,060
  • Phoenix
    $2,760
  • Pittsburgh
    $2,880
  • Raleigh/Durham
    $2,800
  • San Francisco
    $2,500
  • Seattle
    $2,780
  • St. Louis
    $2,800
  • Washington/Dulles
    $2,880
  • View more View less

See what others are saying

Two students walking in a field.

Ready to Study Abroad in Wellington?

For more dates or questions, contact your program consultant:
(203) 399-5163 or email: aifsabroad@aifs.com