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.


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...

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Southern Institute of Technology • New Zealand