Asia Connect Scholarships

History and purpose

The scholarship is designed to enable students to fully immerse themselves in another culture, grow personally and academically, and return to Aotearoa New Zealand with insights about Asia that can positively impact their communities.

Who is eligible?

• Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate degree at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington.
• Applicants must have secured or applied for a place in a university exchange programme in Singapore through the Wellington Global Exchange Programme.
• Applicants must be in their second year or above at the time they undertake the exchange.
• Applicants must be New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• While not a requirement, enrolment in the Kitea Impact Programme may be considered an advantage.

Selection criteria

Applicants will be assessed on:

• Their ability to clearly articulate the anticipated benefits of the international experience, including personal growth, educational and career development, and the opportunity to strengthen New Zealand’s global connections.
• Their ability to describe how they envision their time abroad, including the experience they hope to gain, the challenges they expect to face, and how they plan to immerse themselves in the new environment and local activities.
• Their work ethic as evidence by part time employment, extracurricular activities or volunteer work.
• Preference may be given to students who are experiencing financial hardship.

Application process

This scholarship will be offered for the first time in 2026.

A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4.30 pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.

Applications will normally open one month prior to the closing date. If no application link is provided below, check back again closer to the closing date. Contact us if you have any queries.

Scholarship specific documentation

• A personal statement (either written or video) outlining how they meet the criteria for the scholarship including any details of financial hardship (approximately 500 words/2 minute video).
• Academic transcript.
• Two personal references (to be requested via the online application) – one from a parent or guardian and one from a friend or colleague outlining how they believe the applicant will benefit from this experience.
• Evidence of acceptance or application to the Wellington Global Exchange Programme.
• A breakdown of anticipated expenses, excluding tuition fees, which must be covered by the recipient. E.g. accommodation, flights, living expenses etc

Selection process

The Wellington Global Exchange Team will establish a selection committee comprising the Senior Internationalisation Programmes Manager (or an equivalent senior position within the International Office), Senior Internationalisation Programmes Senior Adviser, and the Global Exchange Coordinator. The committee will be responsible for shortlisting candidates for interviews, ensuring that applicants meet the scholarship criteria and demonstrate potential to benefit from the exchange experience. The selection committee reserves the right to determine whether the scholarship will be awarded based on the quality of the applications received.

Additional information

• Recipients must submit an update after each trimester/semester which will be shared with the donor, and provide a final reflective report detailing their exchange experience. They will also be required to meet with the donor to discuss their experience.
• Recipients of the scholarship may also have the opportunity to intern at Booster NZ however, this is an optional opportunity and not a condition of accepting the scholarship.
• Recipients may also be invited to contribute to university communications highlighting the impact of the scholarship.
• Funds will be disbursed in instalments.
• Recipients of this scholarship are not eligible to hold an International Experience Grant or a Wellington Global Exchange Grant or any grants associated with the Kitea Impact Programme at the same time. If awarded this scholarship, students must forfeit any of the above grants.

Conditions

1. A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4.30 pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.
2. All offers of the Scholarship will be conditional upon the recipient being fully enrolled in a full-year programme (full time will be at the level of points considered by Studylink as full time) within the stipulated criteria and tenure of the scholarship. No payment of the Scholarship will be made until this condition is met.
3. The Scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year.
4. The Scholarship may not be held in conjunction with other awards.
5. Should the recipient withdraw from Victoria University of Wellington during the tenure of this scholarship or fail to achieve satisfactory progress, partial repayment of the Scholarship will normally be expected. Recipients must advise the Scholarships Office if they intend to withdraw.
6. Recipients are expected to act as Ambassadors for Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington and participate in appropriate events or marketing if requested.
7. At the discretion of the Deciding Authority, the application of the terms and conditions of the Scholarship may be modified in special circumstances or to avoid hardship to any candidate for the Scholarship.

Contact

Scholarships Office
scholarships-office@vuw.ac.nz
Phone 0800 04 04 04