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.


Farha Khan – Master of Applied Health Science

Farha Khan already had an established career in the health sector before she chose to come to New Zealand and further her studies.

Will Li - Master of Information Technology
Will Li had worked in IT for many years before discovering Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), where he was considering pursuing the Master of Information Technology (IT), but when he found...
Johanna Lehmann – Study Abroad student
Johanna Lehman from Germany says it was one of her biggest wishes to do a semester abroad. “SIT seemed cool because it’s on the other side of the world,” she says. Coming from...
Renatha Soh Pande - Pre-Entry Applied Health Science
When Renatha Soh Pande (Natha for short) was 10 years old, she dreamt of studying abroad, but didn’t know which country it would be. Natha is from Papua New Guinea, which she calls...
Marcos Martinez – Bachelor of Information Technology
When Marcos Martinez discovered he could to come to New Zealand to complete his studies, he seized the opportunity, settling into life in Invercargill, half a world away from his home country of...
Scholarship recipient aims to advance sustainable home design
SIT2LRN Distance Learning student, Carla Garcia, is delighted to be a Prime Minister’s Scholarship recipient. When she heard she had the scholarship in late 2023, Carla says “I cried,...
Sera-Therise - Bachelor of Information Technology

Exchange student Sera-Therise from Germany has chosen to include a year’s study overseas in New Zealand to complete papers towards a Bachelor of IT, at SIT Invercargill.

Renz Condino
From new New Zealander in 2015, to being offered a dream opportunity at an award-winning winery restaurant in 2021, Renz Reneil Condino has set his feet firmly on the path to success through hard...

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.


SIT’s postgraduate health qualifications surge in popularity

Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) is seeing strong growth in enrolments across its postgraduate nursing programmes, with enrolments increasing by around 85 percent since 2020.

SIT Poland Trip strengthens international profile

These conversations broadened our perspective and highlighted how international cooperation enables us to learn from different experiences and practices.

SIT’s state-of-the-art refurbished nursing clinical suite officially opened
The newly refurbished Nursing clinical suite at Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) School of Nursing (SoN) which was officially re-opened last week, assists with training SIT Nursing students...
SIT Nursing graduates are winners at State Finals
In the March 2026 results from the Nursing Council, the 100% pass rate from SIT Bachelor of Nursing (BN) graduates put them more than 10% above the national average of 88.2 % for registered...
Southern Cross Scholarships awarded to SIT Nursing students
Six Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) Bachelor of Nursing students were given wonderful news at the end of 2025 as the first group of SIT students to receive a Southern Cross Nursing...
Mother and daughter excel in Nursing and Health studies
After realising she wasn’t suited to a teaching career, Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) Nursing student, Hannah Symon, is now following in her mother’s footsteps - Southland...
Māori nurse awards bring out the ‘mana in their mahi’
Māori nurses on a journey to advance their clinical practice or develop innovative ways to help Māori communities access and understand their medicines, were recently recognised at the 2025 Te...
Farha Khan – Master of Applied Health Science

Farha Khan already had an established career in the health sector before she chose to come to New Zealand and further her studies.

Southern Cross Nursing Scholarship Programme Launches at SIT
A new partnership between the Southern Cross Health Trust and Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) is offering student nurses in Southland unparalleled support during their studies and clinical...

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Southern Institute of Technology • New Zealand