Hope Manaakitia Korewha

3rd-year student, Bachelor of Visual Arts Te Tohu Paetahi mō Toi Ataata

She loves art, says Hope Manaakitia Korewha who is now in the final year of her Bachelor of Visual Arts Te Tohu Paetahi mō Toi Ataata.

“I enjoy drawing and seeing the beauty in the mundane, and expressing those talents through my art. Once I finish my studies, I’d love to be an independent artist. But since art is such a broad subject it’s also opened my eyes to my other interests including Māoritanga, my love for people and psychology.”

Deciding to come to AUT for her visual arts degree was easy for her.

“I chose to study at AUT because I love the inclusivity and the support that this university provides. I’m grateful for receiving a McDonald’s Te Tai Tokerau Scholarship, an AUT Welcome to Auckland Scholarship in my first year and a Keir Trust Study Award on my second and third year to support my studies.”

Creating new connections
Hope says she would 100% recommend AUT’s visual arts degree to others.

“I’ve enjoyed creating new connections and meeting lifelong friends, enabling me to hold on to unforgettable memories, and learning skills in my degree that will be applicable in my future and day-to-day life. We all have this shared experience of being a student, and mentioning your degree and university enables you to connect with your fellow peers at a deeper level.

“I also appreciate that AUT has student support services that see you as a person, rather than a statistic, and are here to help. A plethora of clubs to join, countless social events happening and more! It has been a great experience and I’m very grateful to have been involved.”

Balancing study with her other commitments hasn’t always been easy, she admits.

“During high school, it was easy to not study too much but still achieve at a high level. This created some habits that couldn’t be replicated at a higher level of study. When I started uni, I had to start genuinely studying and being time-efficient so that I could achieve deadlines, attend classes, go to work and have a personal life. It has taught me to be intentional with my time and energy. This alone has been the greatest gift university has given me to prepare me for my future.”

Advice for other students
Hope has some great advice for other students who are only at the start of their university journey.

“Focus on your studies – I can’t stress it enough. Being a university student is a privilege and an honour. It’s easy to get swept up in your own world, thinking you can get away with being mediocre.”

Remember that you’re investing three or more years of your life into uni, she adds.

“You should give it your all to avoid any regrets. You’ve made the decision to study at a higher level of education, therefore you should treat every assignment and every class at that same level. In the end all of those nights crying over your assignments will be some of the fondest memories you’ll have for the rest of your life. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to grow as a person you will be so much better for this experience.”