Arama Rata
Taranaki, Ngā Ruahine, Ngāti Maniapoto
Fourth year student from Inglewood.
Degree: Bachelor of Science, majored in Psychology and Applied Statistics. Currently studying towards a BSc Hons in Psychology.
What drew you to your study programme? Psychology is a fascinating and relevant area, where there are still plenty of discoveries to be made. While you are learning a scientific discipline, there is still real scope to be creative and produce meaningful research that benefits people. Applied Statistics is the perfect companion because you gain the right tools to explore data and reveal answers.
What do you think about Wellington? Wellington combines all the advantages of city living, with a small town New Zealand feel. There's always something happening, but there's still a real sense of community.
Why did you choose Victoria? Victoria has one of New Zealand's best Psychology Schools, and both the research and teaching are of a high standard. Victoria also has flexible degree structures, which allows you to explore a broad range of subjects. You can also get involved with interdisciplinary research in other areas, including addiction and cross-cultural research.
David Herman
Ngāti Ruanui
Fourth year student from Lower Hutt.
Degree: Bachelor of Biomedical Science, majored in Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology. Currently completing a Graduate Diploma in Science to prepare for Honours in Chemistry in 2008.
What drew you to your study programme? I have always enjoyed both chemistry and biology, and have a strong interest in Forensic Science. The BBMedSc programme at Victoria offered a unique opportunity to take a major with equal parts of biochemistry and organic chemistry - which is a perfect match for me. It also offers "real" laboratory experience, under the same conditions that forensic scientists operate.
What do you think about Wellington? Excluding a year in the Netherlands, I have lived in Wellington all my life and still love it! There are movies, cafes, city life, beaches, and of course my mates.
Why did you choose Victoria? Victoria offered the best degree programme for my needs. Here I have been able to continue my passions from high school, without leaving my home city.
Hartmut Hoehle
Fourth year student from Germany
Degree: Bachelor of Commerce and Administration with Honours in Information Systems
What drew you to your study programme? During my undergraduate studies, my lecturer Eusebio Scornavacca encouraged me to carry on studying Information Systems. His passion and student-focused teaching style helped me to make the decision to take postgraduate studies.
What do you think about Wellington? Wellington is a fresh city and offers real variety from music and theatre, to museums and cafes. Yet it is still very close to fantastic natural resources. Wellington is very "sporty" too, which gives students the chance to balance their studies with other activities.
Why did you choose Victoria? I have received an incredibly high level of support from both my Lecturer Eusebio Scornavacca and Sid Huff (Head of SIM). They encouraged me to take part in Victoria's overseas exchange programme and study for one trimester at Georgia Tech, in Atlanta, USA. I was able to compare a well-respected American University with Vic and I decided to come back to Vic to complete my Honours. I believe Vic offers a world class education and a superb learning environment.
Salainaoloa Lisa-Maree Wilson
Sixth year student from Wainuomata
Degree: Bachelor of Arts, majored in Lingusitics and Samoan Studies. Currently studying LLB.
What drew you to your study programme?My passion lies in languages and initially I wanted to pursue a BA in Japanese and German. But after taking Samoan and Linguistics papers, I found them so fulfilling that I changed my majors. I am currently doing an LLB, which I started earlier before taking time out to complete my BA. Along with languages, I feel drawn to work within the Pacific community, so I am hoping I will be able to achieve this by working either in the area of law, or otherwise educating Pacific people particularly in the Samoan language.
What do you think about Wellington?Wellington is an incredible city. It is not only the capital of New Zealand but it's the culture capital too. There is always something different to do and see. It is a friendly and vibrant place, where people from all walks of life feel at home.
Why did you choose Vic?Vic has a great reputation in all disciplines and it boasts some of the most respected lecturers in their fields. Situated right in the heart of Wellington City; Parliament, the Courts, galleries and different research facilities are all around the corner, and everything is within walking distance.