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Kia ora e te whānau,
Welcome to trimester 1 and our first newsletter of the year.
Whether you’re just starting your studies or continuing, a new trimester symbolises a fresh start. We’re glad that your hopes and moemoeā—dreams have brought you to Te Herenga Waka.
You’re part of a caring community at the University, and support is available to help you flourish and feel confident as part of this whānau. Student services can assist you with practical help and encouragement whenever you need it, so don’t hesitate to reach out anytime.
Wishing you a year filled with inspiring lessons and positive progress.
Here's what's in our newsletter:
- Refugee-Background Students' Welcome and Lunch
- Meet your Refugee-background Students’ Adviser
- Connect with your Student Success Adviser
- Refugee-background students’ study collective
- The Wellbeing Kete
- Your student ID card
- Student column: Hope guides direction, vision shapes destination by Khoa Vang
Abdul Samad Haidari
Kaiārahi Tauira Konene - Refugee Background Student Adviser
Refugee-Background Students’ Welcome and Lunch
If you’re new to our community, be sure to join us at the Refugee-background Students’ Welcome and Lunch:
• 2–4 pm
• Monday 16 February 2026
• The Bubble (SU216), Kelburn campus.
You’ll connect with your refugee-background peers, meet staff from different services who will support you on your journey, and hear valuable tips from others to guide you through your first trimester. There will also be fun activities and free food!
If you’d like more information about the welcome session, contact Abdul at Refugee-BackgroundStudents@vuw.ac.nz
Be sure to explore the full New Students’ Orientation schedule online—you can build your own timetable of sessions to attend.
Meet your Refugee-Background Students' Adviser
Abdul is your go-to person for on campus advice and support.
Find him on level 2 of the Student Union Building (SU213). His door is open 9 am–12 pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
You can also email him for advice or to make an appointment from noon–5 pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Here are a few reasons you might want to reach out:
- struggling with classes or coursework.
- looking for social connections.
- wanting to get involved with the community.
- needing someone to join you at English Language Hour.
- help with enrolment.
- experiencing financial hardship.
- seeking wellbeing support.
- facing other obstacles.
Get in touch early, drop by for a cup of coffee/tea, a chat, or just to say hi!
Your student success adviser
Your student success adviser is an essential support service throughout your studies.
What do they help with?
Staying on track with your studies
Meet with them to plan the courses you need to complete your qualification. Your student success adviser can also connect you with additional services and support to help you succeed.
Changing your current courses or programme of study.
If you need to change your course schedule, it's a good idea to have a chat with your Student Success Adviser. They can help you understand the administrative requirements, deadlines, and impacts of any changes you'd like to make.
Be sure to make any changes to your study plan by Friday 6 March 2026, which is the course add/drop deadline for Trimester 1.
Tailored advice, exploring opportunities, and general questions
Your student success adviser is an expert at providing tailored information. For example, they can help you with understanding:
- Assistance such as the University’s Hardship Fund.
- Information about studying abroad, finding an internship, and discovering extracurricular activities.
- General information about University life.
If you'd like to learn more about any of these topics, find out who your student success adviser is and get in touch with them—the sooner, the better!
Refugee-background Students’ Study Collective
Join study sessions hosted by your Refugee-Background Adviser and Te Taiako—Student Learning, to build confidence in your studies. We'll cover skills like academic reading and writing, exam prep, and more—with free snacks!
Time: 4–4.45 pm
Location: KK001
Trimester 1 study session dates and topics:
Wednesday 25 February
Navigating University expectations and assignment planning
Plan and manage assignments: understand expectations, interpret briefs, create timelines, and book support appointments.
Wednesday 8 April
Academic writing and reading strategies
Write and read efficiently: take notes, structure essays, paraphrase sources, and learn academic integrity basics.
Tuesday 19 May
Exam preparation and managing assessment stress
Prepare for exams: make study plans, use active techniques, learn exam strategies, and manage stress.
Wellbeing Kete Module—Developing strong, supportive friendships
The Wellbeing Kete brings together practical wellbeing skills to support you during your studies and beyond. Starting the trimester is a great time to focus on connection. The Developing strong, supportive friendships module supports you to build confidence in your relationships—whether you’re meeting new people or strengthening existing connections.
Check out the Wellbeing Kete and follow Student Equity and Wellbeing on Instagram or Facebook on for Wellbeing Kete quick tips.
Your student ID card
Your Student ID provides access to resources across the University.
During New Students’ Orientation, you can collect your card from Level 1 of the Library, next to the stairs.
At other times, to collect your card or request a replacement, contact the Student ID Card team.
Student column
Hope guides direction, vision shapes destination
By Khoa Vang
Bachelor of Chemistry and Mathematics student School-Leaver Scholarship recipient
“เดินช้าแค่ไหนไม่เป็นไร ตราบใดที่ที่ไม่หยุดเดิน—It doesn’t matter how slowly you go, as long as you don’t stop.” —Confucius (ขงจื๊อ)
This Thai proverb has guided me through every moment of doubt on my journey to Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. My path to University was not straightforward. There were times I doubted myself, wondering if this was possible for someone like me—but my family, friends, and teachers believed in me even when I struggled to believe in myself. They helped me discover my passions and gave me the courage to imagine a different future.
I’m the first in my family to attend University. Financial struggle has prevented many of my siblings from attending. The School-Leaver Scholarship transformed years of dreams and effort into reality. Receiving the scholarship eased financial pressure on my family and allowed me to focus on my studies in Chemistry and Mathematics—a field I’ve always wanted to pursue.
I cherish the opportunity to learn more so I can contribute to Aotearoa and possibly help address global challenges, such as climate change. I also hope to pass on my knowledge as a teacher, inspiring younger generations to become interested in Chemistry and Mathematics.
University may feel unobtainable to many, but it’s a journey within reach. The first step is the hardest, and every step forward is a victory to celebrate. The experiences, dreams, and perspectives that brought each of us here have provided unique strengths to nurture and carry forward with care and ambition. Dreams deserve to be pursued with courage, and support exists when needed—worthiness is not something that needs to be questioned.
As my dreams continue to blossom, gratitude nourishes my journey. Thank you to those who have supported me with this opportunity. I am excited and ready to discover what the future holds.
Do you have a helpful study tip, a way to look after your wellbeing, a story, or a piece of artwork that might lift someone’s spirits? We want to hear from you!
Send us a short submission for our student column with your practical advice or positive perspective. It could be about:
- How you manage your workload.
- What helps you stay connected.
- Something that made your day better.
- Part of your journey—whether about climate, humanity, courage, strength, achievements, or life experiences.
Submissions should be:
- Uplifting, encouraging,and/or empowering.
- Focused on study, wellbeing, and/or campus life.
- If written: submitted as a Word document (250 words or less).
- If artwork: submitted as a JPEG or PNG (max 10MB) with a short blurb in a Word document (60 words or less).
We’ll feature selected tips and artwork in our newsletter to support and inspire others.
📧 Send your tips to: Refugee-BackgroundStudents@vuw.ac.nz
🗓️ You can submit anytime.
📝 Please note: submissions may be edited for clarity or length.
Stay connected
Check out our website for useful information www.wgtn.ac.nz/refugee-background
Follow us on Instagram @vuwequitywellbeing
Connect with us on Facebook
Questions? Email refugee-backgroundstudents@vuw.ac.nz
