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.


Staff Profile: Bringing 20 years of international experience home – Dr Jacob Wood returns to...
When Jacob Wood left Invercargill in 1998 to attend the University of Otago, he had no idea he would spend the next 25 years building an international academic career across South Korea and...
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.

Justine Holland - Social Work

Justine Holland had always been interested in a career that supported other people, so it was quite fitting she raised a family of four children before finding her vocation in Social Work

Telford Graduate AJ Tyer

A Telford Taster Camp convinced AJ Tyer that a move south to train in farming was the right move for her future career in the sector

Engineering Graduate Marieli Remolazo

A move to New Zealand prompted Marieli Remolazo to study engineering at SIT because she wanted a qualification that provided her with interesting career opportunities.

Telford Graduate Taylor King

Growing up on a small dairy farm in the King Country influenced Taylor King in choosing the agriculture sector for her future career

Bree-Anna Jones

Cromwell beauty salon owner Bree-Anna Jones has found her niche in the Beauty Therapy industry after training at SIT Queenstown campus

Philip Barrow – Certificate in Farming Systems
When Philip Barrow’s family made an impromptu visit to Telford during a South Island holiday, it set him on a path to train there for his agricultural career
Caitlyn Forde - Certificate in Equine Skills

South Otago local Caitlyn Forde knew Telford was the right place to train in her pursuit of an equine career

Your New Zealand Story Starts Here.

Wherever you're from, whatever you want to study. SIT gives you an affordable, supported, world-class education in one of the most extraordinary places on earth.

Apply Now
Programme Guides:

Southern Institute of Technology • New Zealand