Ivy Lyden-Hancy
2nd-year student, Bachelor of Arts in History and Māori Media
She would like to see more Māori in the academic field, especially as lecturers, says Ivy Lyden-Hancy who is studying a Bachelor of Arts in History and Māori Media.
“I chose to study history because I believe that the past is our future and intertwining lived experiences with current approaches is the key to success. A career I’d love to be involved in is being a lecturer, specifically in history, to contribute to the current gateway of Māori into the academic world. I also chose to study Māori media as I love how that there’s a current influx of Māori and Pasifika in mainstream media.
“I decided to come to AUT because it has programmes and courses you can’t find anywhere else. AUT gave me the option to really think about my degree and my future, and it held promising connections and networks. I love that I can network with other creatives in the academic space through the Bachelor of Arts, and having that wrap-around knowledge of historical content will heavily contribute to my future plans as an academic.”
A home away from home
She considers AUT a home away from home, Ivy says.
“I love the wrap-around support and being able to connect with others with similar interests to me. Student life means that there are a lot of people who are in the same boat, and being able to grow and connect around each other’s lived experiences is definitely a highlight of being a student here at AUT. I’ve also enjoyed the freedom of self-directed learning, and being surrounded by academics helps me strive for my personal success and growth.”
Receiving an AUT Find Your Greatness Scholarship to support her studies has also taken some pressure off studying.
“The AUT Find Your Greatness Scholarship has immensely helped not just my studies but also my transition into university. The scholarship included the cost of staying in student accommodation in my first year of university, which took away a lot of the financial stress and anxiety that comes with university.”
Advice for other students
Ivy – who started her AUT journey by enrolling in the UniPrep university preparation programme and is now in the second year of her Bachelor of Arts – has some great advice for other students.
“Take every opportunity that comes to you, but remember to find balance between your personal and academic life.”
There’s plenty of support if you need it, she adds.
“My biggest challenge was feeling homesick; not just missing home but also the people. I grew up in Papakura in South Auckland and carry my people everywhere I go. Tītahi ki Tua has become a space of comfort, and through my majors I’ve met many likeminded Māori I could connect with and who have become my home away from home. I see many of my lecturers as a friend, academic and someone to look up to, and the AUT Māori staff members – including the Pou Māori team, the people in the whānau room space and my lecturers, Dr Maureen Sinton, Huni Strickland and Dr Tangaroa Paul – really provide wrap-around support. If it wasn’t for their support, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in today.”
