Nicolas Staub

Study Abroad student from Switzerland

The Orientation event for international students made him feel welcome at AUT from the very start, says Nicolas Staub who came to Auckland as a Study Abroad student from Switzerland.

“The Orientation Day for new international students at AUT was a great experience. The speech, the singing and the pōwhiri made me feel very welcome in New Zealand as well as at AUT. Already on this day, I was able to learn about Māori culture, which was very nice.

“The speech from the student ambassador – a senior student at AUT – was also reassuring and made me feel less nervous about the university and studying in a new country.”

Studying in New Zealand
Nicolas – who usually studies at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) – says the teaching style in New Zealand has been a little different from his home university.

“The lectures are very different from what I’m used to in Switzerland. At AUT, there is a big focus on self-reflection.”

Not having one exam determine the passing grade for a course is also something he has appreciated about studying in Auckland.

“I’ve appreciated the multiple assignments throughout the semester, which reduces the reliance on a single final exam. The workshops are engaging and interactive, making it easier to learn and retain knowledge. However, the quality of the lecture of course depends on the individual lecturer, but that is a common phenomenon.”

Convenient student accommodation
Throughout his time in New Zealand, Nicolas is staying at Te Āhuru Mayoral Drive Student Accommodation at the AUT City Campus, just a two-minute walk from where his classes are.

“Because I’m only staying in Auckland for four months, I did not conduct an extensive search for accommodation. However, AUT offers three different types of accommodation, and I opted for Te Āhuru Mayoral Drive Student Accommodation, which is conveniently located next to the City Campus.”

He says his self-contained room had everything he needed.

“While the rent at Te Āhuru Mayoral Drive Student Accommodation is relatively high, the room is equipped with all the necessary amenities and my personal bathroom.”