Taking on the Challenge

Study in New Zealand

Congratulations on taking this big, but exciting, step of moving from your own familiar world to a foreign one.  This coming year will involve new experiences and personal growth—you will learn new ideas and new ways of thinking.   At Victoria University, you will also have the opportunity to make new friends.  You will share your culture and learn about other cultures too.  Try to make full use of the opportunities available.

During the first few weeks in this new study environment, you will possibly suffer study and culture shock.  You might feel very lonely, confused, frustrated, unsure, tired, or disorientated.  You might feel you will never succeed in this new educational environment. Hear what students say about the challenges of coming to university.

A number of factors may impact upon your experience of culture shock.  These factors include whether you have lived away from home before, previous exposure to other cultures, current living arrangements and support networks, contact with those from home, your expectations, and how you look after yourself. For those who have come from a Western culture the differences may not be so big, but you may still experience culture shock.  

Try not to worry too much about these feelings. They are quite normal!
 

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