Victoria University of Wellington Partnership

Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything is included in your program fee.

Below are a selection of activities and excursions from previous terms; options may vary for your program. Due to the seasonal nature of many of program activities, we cannot guarantee a specific activity or excursion will be available in a given term or program.

Activities

• Learning Plan Check-in: Three times during the semester, catch up for a one-on-one with an IFSA team member to discuss your academic progress, housing, and general well-being. This is a great opportunity to ask any questions about roommates, lecturers, and new experiences.
• Weekly Catch-up: Meet your IFSA Student Experience Coordinator on campus or at a local hiking trail, farmers market, museum, or pub quiz night for a snack and take a bit of time out with your IFSA community.
• Reentry Workshop: Study abroad in New Zealand is a great addition to your resume. Learn how to highlight all the transferable skills gained in a powerful and succinct way that will appeal to prospective employers. Reflect on your experience and consider the transition back to your home culture.
• Celebration Dinner: The farewell dinner is the last official get-together with the IFSA crew. It’s time to recount great experiences and reflect on personal and academic growth before preparing for final exams! It’s a fun and memorable send-off, with an awesome culinary experience and plenty of laughs.

Excursions

• Explore the Escarpment: Catch a train out of the city for an amazing day tramp and enjoy the beautiful scenery the Kāpiti Coast has to offer! The Escarpment track is part of the national Te Araroa Trail, by which walkers travel the length of New Zealand from Cape Reinga to Bluff. The Paekākāriki Escarpment section of the trail is a 9.1km walk offering some of the most spectacular views on the Kāpiti Coast.
• Wellington Overnight: Mountain bike through the Rimutaka rail trail. The Remutaka Cycle Trail connects Wellington with Wairarapa, winding through a variety of stunning landscapes: a river valley, rolling foothills, bush-clad ranges, old railway tunnels, lake sides, farm land, and a rugged coastline. Then stay overnight in the historic town of Featherston.
• Mana Māori Te Papa Tour: Embark on a journey through Te Papa, the New Zealand national museum. Experience the living and breathing taonga (treasures) of te iwi taketake (first peoples of the land). From great journeys across vast oceans to hopeful visions for the 21st century, these taonga speak to historical and contemporary Māori perspectives.
• Wellington Volunteer–Kaitiakitanga: Kaitiakitanga (guardianship of environmental resources) is a concept underpinning much of New Zealand’s identity. Volunteer for a shift at Everybody Eats, a pay-as-you-feel dining concept for everyone. They serve delicious, chef-prepared meals that feed bellies, not bins.
• Wellington Cultural Activity: Wellington is known as the cultural capital of New Zealand, reflecting the local presence of national arts organizations and vibrant arts and events. Have a fun night watching a local performance.

IFSA students live close to campus, sharing co-ed apartments called flats or small houses operated by the university. Keep in mind that the university places students where space is available, which makes it difficult for us to meet all preferences.  

Explore these locations to see what your New Zealand home might be like.  

Everton Hall 

• Location: Everton Hall is next to Wellington’s iconic cable car, a 5-minute walk to Kelburn campus and a 20-minute walk to Pipitea and Te Aro campuses. 
• Living space: Furnished flats and houses for three to five students, with single bedrooms. Student rooms have a bed, desk, chair, mirror and storage. Complete bedding set provided. Flatmates share two bathrooms, living space, and a fully equipped kitchen with oven, refrigerator, toaster, and kettle.   
• Meals: No meal plan. Students prepare or purchase meals, and flatmates often tell us meals are a fun, social part of the day. 
• Other details: Wi-Fi and electricity included. 24-hour security. 24-hour residential advisors. Student support coordinators available. Social events like formals and quiz nights. Laundry facilities on-site or close by. Indoor and outdoor common areas include music rooms, games room, gardens, and barbecue space.  
• Nearby: University library and campus facilities. Wellington Waterfront. Cuba Street. Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s national museum. Supermarkets.