Born and raised in the Philippines, Marieli arrived here in 2023,” thanks to my father, who works as a hardworking farmer”. She spent the rest of the year acclimatising to life in New Zealand by working part-time jobs, meeting the locals and doing some travelling before starting her SIT studies in 2024.
Marieli researched where to study while still in the Philippines. She had begun a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of the Philippines but decided to pursue a career in the engineering field because it was currently in demand in most parts of New Zealand.
“It piqued my interest… I found that [SIT] offered all the qualifications I needed to start an engineering career in NZ. I chose the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Civil Engineering major) because I believed they could provide me with the training and opportunities to develop the skills I need to be a successful engineer who can contribute to our local communities.”
Advice from family and friends was also a significant factor in Marieli choosing SIT, and last but not least, the iconic Zero Fees Scheme that SIT offers to domestic students was a drawcard. “It helped my family and me with financial aid.”
Marieli says SIT succeeded in meeting her expectations. “I had a primary expectation, especially in my case - I came from another country - and this school did not fail me.”
During Marieli’s course she was taught the expected technical information, including standards, codes, and skill sets graduates use in the real world. “The technical terms are important to us as engineers, but the best lesson I learned in this course was to present myself as confident, bright, and well-spoken in front of audiences.”
Marieli explained her tutors provided opportunities that helped her to grow and improved her knowledge of local communities. “They helped me realise I could do great things.” And she did. Together with fellow student, George Villanueva, they designed a house model incorporating culture and modern engineering for their final engineering project, Resilient Homes in Papua New Guinea: Where Culture Meets Engineering, which won the 2025 Best Student Research Poster Competition.
What Marieli liked at SIT was having tutors who are from the engineering sector. “They have first-hand experience in the actual field I will enter… having them teach me is an excellent advantage I can take away from SIT. I was happy … because the activities and support helped us grow into competent engineers.”
In addition, Marieli said the course facilities were excellent, from the classrooms to the computers and software, all of which were provided to the students. “Also, Zero Fees helped me push through the financial struggles my family and I have faced.”
Marieli found the most valuable lesson learned from her time studying is maintaining a well-balanced life between staying focussed at school, doing part-time work, socialising and staying healthy and fit. “It may sound simple, but I found managing time exceedingly difficult, yet particularly important in my life,” she admits. However, she maintained good grades and believes she did a good job in handling my time while juggling different activities during my programme.”
English is not Marieli’s first language, (nor her second), so her first year studying at SIT was full of challenging times, but it didn’t stop her from chasing her dream. “I studied harder and practised speaking English until I was comfortable presenting myself to groups of people.”
“I met a lot of people at SIT, different personalities, races, cultures, and traditions, yet I found comfort and happiness during my time with them.”
Pursuing further studies this year, Marieli is completing her degree – Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BENG TECH) in Civil Engineering, which will take about a year to complete. “But as of now, I am a graduate of NZDE Civil Engineering, which makes me an Engineering Technician, qualified and ready to be part of the real world.”
“My goal is to find a company that will allow me to contribute my skills and knowledge I learnt from my SIT studies while also becoming a better, more experienced engineer to help the community.”
Marieli acknowledges that while coming to New Zealand was full of challenges, doubts, and struggles, “being part of SIT has given me the passion and opportunity to grow as a student, as an incoming professional, and as a person.”
“SIT, (and) especially our amazing, supportive tutors, have shaped me to be the best possible version of myself I can be.”