
"Hi, my name is Mia and I am a student in the Bachelor of Nursing programme.
I arrived in New Zealand in late January 2025 and plan to be here until late June. So far, I have really liked my experience here. Kiwis are very nice people. They are very cheerful and helpful even in simple everyday situations, when I need some help. Wintec was one of the partner institutions for my school, Metropolia. New Zealand has been a dream destination of mine for a long time, so it was easy to choose to apply to study here. Also, the thought of being by myself all across the world was very intriguing, and Wintec seems like a good place to study.
Hamilton has been a nice place to stay. I think it is calm and peaceful, it suits me well, and everything I need is accessible. There are some really lovely places to see, and also the central location makes it easy to take some trips around and travel the North Island. I have not noticed any major differences between Finnish culture and the Kiwi culture so far, but I was a bit surprised by the amount of small talk when I first got here, as in Finland, people only talk when it is necessary. Everyone is very polite.
I have received great support from the International team. They have been really helpful, and answer all my questions. I have found it quite easy to transition and learn how the timetables work and how can I get around and find my classes. The staff at the Central of Health and Social Practice have also helped me to do a placement here which has given me great experiences.
The facilities are really nice. There are many nice spots to study, and also the classrooms are spacious. I would say my favourite place is the City Campus Hub. I spend most of my time there studying. My classmates are really nice; they are also really helpful and nice to talk to. I have been lucky and have not had any challenges so far. Everything has been going really smoothly, and the information has been easily accessible. The people here have made me feel comfortable and at home.
I have tried to spend most of my free time outside. I have travelled to Raglan, a really nice small town with a beautiful surf beach. I didn't go surfing, though, but maybe I will someday. I have also been to Auckland and Tauranga and am really enjoying the beauty of New Zealand's nature.
I would definitely recommend studying at Wintec. I have found the nursing programme very interesting, and the level of education is really high. I really like the tutors; they are all really good teachers and all really enjoy what they do. You have the opportunity to meet some really great people, make new friends, and improve your language skills."