International Stories

Discover what it’s really like to study at the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) through the experiences of our international students and graduates.

From arriving in a new country to building careers and lifelong connections, these stories highlight the journeys, challenges, and successes of students who have chosen to study with us in Southland and Queenstown.

Every student's journey is different. Here are just a few of the stories from international students currently studying at SIT.

Student Stories

These stories reflect the real experiences of international students as they adapt to life in New Zealand, explore new opportunities, and work towards their academic goals.


National Award Success for SIT Online Photography Student

New Zealand Diploma in Photography (Level 5) student Julia Chen has earned a Bronze Award at the prestigious New Zealand Institute of Professional Photog-raphers (NZIPP) Iris Awards.

SIT Diploma leads to Award Winning Photography
SIT Online’s New Zealand Diploma in Photography (NZDP) Level 5 was the impetus for Lisa Jones to produce award-winning images recently recognised in an international photography competition
Tutor profile – Tim Garman
With a 48-year career in graphic design, Tim Garman could be described as the perfect person to be tutoring at tertiary level, sharing his significant industry knowledge with students training for...
SIT graduate excels with 7 awards in national competition
Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) photography graduate Rachel Hampton has recently made her mark in the 2025 NZIPP Iris Professional Photography Awards, achieving seven awards from eight...
Julianne Andrews – NZ Diploma in Photography Levels 5 & 6
Julianne Andrews is the first to admit she is a better person when she’s studying. “I have to have something to keep my brain active,” she says. As a result, she has achieved a...
Bob McAuliffe - SIT Graduate Profile
Always Keeping Story In His Sights Bob McAuliffe, 82, is a Māwhera Greymouth-based photographer who has made a name for himself documenting the many fishing vessels navigating the Greymouth...
Amy Coombes - NZ Certificate in Interior Décor (Level 4)
Amy Coombes consolidated her innate aptitude for interior design with a qualification through SIT2LRN, helping her to establish a flourishing, fulfilling career, producing accolades, beautifully...
Photography student uses creative portraiture to empower women
Southern Institute of Technology photography student, Julianne Andrews, is halfway through holding her first ever photographic exhibition ‘empowher’. The exhibition is a dream come...
SIT Interior Design graduate wins national bathroom award
Southern Institute of Technology graduate and Interior Designer, Amy Coombes, has  been awarded the top prize in the 2024 TIDA New Zealand Group Home Builder Bathroom of the Year and the...

For many students, their journey at SIT leads to meaningful career pathways and long-term opportunities in New Zealand and beyond. Our graduates share how their experience has helped shape their future.

Graduate Stories

Hear from SIT graduates who have successfully completed their studies and taken the next step in their careers. These stories highlight the outcomes, skills, and opportunities gained through studying at SIT.


Celine Villarin – Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Health Science
Philippines born-and-raised Celine Porsha Villarin, who came to New Zealand to pursue further studies at SIT, loves that living in Invercargill means no traffic jams. 
Photography student uses creative portraiture to empower women
Southern Institute of Technology photography student, Julianne Andrews, is halfway through holding her first ever photographic exhibition ‘empowher’. The exhibition is a dream come...
Yumiko Horigome - Bachelor of Therapeutic and Sports Massage
Yumiko Horigome fulfilled a dream she’d held since a teenager when she walked across the stage to receive her Bachelor of Therapeutic and Sports Massage from SIT last year, and she is now...
Lalina Dayal – Master of Applied Management
Lalina Dayal feels she really gained the maximum benefits from her time as a student through SIT2LRN Distance Learning. She graduated with a Master of Applied Management, and she was also the...
Alice Liang

Alice Liang hails from China and was already in the construction industry there, working as a Cost Supervisor prior to her move to New Zealand for further study.  

Heidi Qu
Heidi Qu made the decision to study at Southern Institute of Technology because she wanted to start something new. “I wanted to learn a skill that would lead to a career lasting a...

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