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.


Telford sod-turning signals start of long-awaited major refurbishment
A ceremonial sod-turning at Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) Telford campus this week marked the beginning of a major campus refurbishment, signalling a new chapter for New Zealand's...
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.

Globally experienced academic returns home to help drive SIT Online's future
After more than two decades building a notable academic career across South Korea and Singapore, Dr Jacob Wood has returned home to Invercargill to lead Southern Institute of Technology’s...
SIT China visit strengthens educational links
Southern Institute of Technology’s (SIT) recent participation in an Education New Zealand (ENZ) ITP delegation visit to China spearheaded two weeks of networking and forging closer...
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 Hairdressing Students Finalists in Top National Competition
Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) Hairdressing students Haylee Clark and Holly Wolf received exciting news last week; the talented students have been selected as finalists in a top national...
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 Collaboration Brings Southland Music Educator’s Children’s Songs to Life

Working alongside SIT Screen Arts Tutor Ruby Meades and a team of students and graduates, Ms Fryer has already released two SIT filmed and animated songs on YouTube.

From Setback to Success: Apprentice benefits from SIT employment support role
Growing up on a farm near Edendale, Lauryn shares she had always been surrounded by machinery. While she hadn't really been involved in operating or maintaining the farm equipment during her...

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Southern Institute of Technology • New Zealand