New Zealand is a multicultural country, and I’ve really appreciated the value placed on diversity and inclusion here. Learning about Māori culture, especially the concept of whānau (family) and manaakitanga (hospitality/care for others), has helped shape the way I provide care. These values align beautifully with nursing and have made me a more culturally aware and empathetic nurse.
Hamilton was the perfect study environment for me. It’s a smaller city compared to Auckland, with a friendly community. I loved walking around Hamilton Lake after classes, sipping a coffee and watching the ducks play, it’s so peaceful and relaxing, and the air is fresh and clean. It’s a beautiful place to study and live.
I graduated from the Bachelor of Nursing programme at Wintec in 2019. I chose Wintec because I heard it had a strong reputation for nursing education, with experienced teachers and a supportive learning environment, and that turned out to be very true. Wintec offers diverse clinical placements across hospitals, community services, and aged care facilities, giving us wide exposure to different areas of healthcare. As an international student, it was also important for me to find a place that was welcoming and well-prepared to support students from overseas, Wintec was exactly that.
The International team helped me find a lovely homestay family, and the library staff supported me with academic writing. I spent a lot of time in the Wintec Hub, studying with classmates in group study rooms, writing assignments in the quiet study area, and just feeling part of the campus community.
One of the most helpful parts of my training was the simulation room. It looked just like a hospital ward, complete with beds and real equipment. This hands-on experience helped me become familiar with clinical environments and made my transition into real placements, including at Waikato Hospital, much easier, and I felt less nervous.
To future international students: Studying at Wintec will be one of the most rewarding decisions you’ll ever make. It’s not just about getting a qualification, it’s about building a future and becoming the best version of yourself."
