Refugee-background students
Information, support and advice tailored specifically to students with a refugee background.
Nau mai haere mai—welcome
Congratulations on all your hard work and achievements so far. There are more than 100 students from diverse refugee-backgrounds across the University, and even more who have successfully completed their studies at Victoria. It’s great to have you with us at Victoria University.
Victoria offers you many exciting opportunities to learn and develop your skills, and there is a network of students and staff who can help you achieve your goals.
Ask questions, have fun, work hard and make contact with those around you. Learning is more enjoyable when you do it with others, and their support will add to your success.
Types of support
Teaching support
There is a strong network of teaching and support staff across the University, who have a particular interest and commitment to supporting refugee-background students.
To find out who may be in your area, contact Kirsten Reid by email on kirsten.reid@vuw.ac.nz or call her on +64-4-463 6841.
Other key student support services
At Victoria, we offer a wide range of services so students have the support they need to ensure a successful university experience.
The following services are available to all students enrolled at Victoria:
- Accommodation
- Career Development and Employment
- Chaplains
- Creche
- Disability Support
- Financial Support and Advice
- Student Counselling
- Student Health
- Student Learning Support
- Student Recruitment and Orientation
Student Learning
Student Learning advisors are interested in working with students from diverse backgrounds. Student Learning offers individual appointments, workshops and resources to help you develop your academic skills and writing, and become an independent learner.
Drop-in centre
Would you like to help set up a drop-in centre for students from refugee backgrounds and student leaders/mentors? There is space in the Bubble (in the Student Union Building) to host this. If you have ideas for what a drop-in centre could offer, please email Muna Yem or Kirsten Reid.
For more information, visit our Facebook page or email vuw.dropin@gmail.com.
Opening Doors
Opening Doors: Support and Services for Refugee-Background Students at Victoria University is a publication especially for students from a refugee background. It gives you lots of useful information about Victoria, Wellington, and how to access the different kinds of support that are available to you.