First Weeks of Classes at Victoria University of Wellington

After getting settled in Wellington, classes officially started at VUW.

I have in-person classes on Tuesdays and Fridays at the Pipitea campus, which is about a 25 minute walk from my apartment. It’s actually a really nice way to start the day. The mornings are usually pretty cool and sometimes cold, but the walk is a good way to wake up.

One thing I’ve already noticed is that my schedule is very different from what I’m used to at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Most classes here meet once a week for a 2 hour lecture. Some courses also have smaller group sessions called tutorials, where a smaller group meets to discuss the material in more detail and work on assignments with a class tutor. The schedule almost feels more like a master’s program, where classes meet less often but for longer periods of time, which makes it easier for students to work part-time.

This semester, I’m taking two Human Resources classes: Negotiation and Conflict Management and Issues in Work and Employment, and two Marketing classes: International Marketing and Digital Marketing Management.

The structure of classes also feels pretty different. Most lectures are fairly large, but attendance can vary depending on the class because lectures are recorded and posted online. Some days the lecture halls are full, and other days there are fewer people since students can watch later.

So far, the workload seems pretty laid back compared to what I’m used to. There isn’t a lot of weekly homework, mostly readings and a few assignments spread throughout the semester. I’ve also heard from other students that in New Zealand, there’s more of a mindset of keeping school at school and home life separate.

Having classes only two days a week also makes the rest of the week feel pretty flexible. I’ve been able to run errands, do smaller grocery trips, since my fridge space is very limited, and get into a routine around the city.

It’s still early in the semester, but I’m starting to get used to the pace of school here and figuring out what my weekly routine in Wellington looks like.