Janavi Kadhiravan

How have you found UC?

UC is great! It has only been seven months so far, but I already feel at home. The people and staff are really kind and helpful. There is always an event or workshop happening to interact with and meet new people, and, of course, the campus is an amazing place to walk around and relax. UC creates the perfect blend of giving you your own space to explore and experience uni life, while still ensuring you do not feel alone. 

What are UC's academic staff like? 

My professors are incredible. They're all very knowledgeable in their subject area and extremely passionate about what they teach. It is also easy to reach out to them if you are having any trouble with the assignments or classes; they are always ready to help. The academic staff are open, understanding, and friendly, making it even easier to engage with and enjoy the learning experience.

What is the support like for international students at UC?  

UC supports international students in so many ways: socially, mentally, and even professionally. There are numerous clubs and societies, each catering to different cultures and ethnicities. Weekly workshops, talks, or events for international students help us navigate life in NZ. Finding a community is one of the most important needs for international students to settle in a new environment. 

Are there any support programmes or initiatives that you found particularly helpful? 

The Tūhono programme was extremely helpful and insightful. It taught me about the New Zealand culture as well as other different cultures and how to approach multicultural situations socially and professionally. The weekly “Cake and Chat” initiative was also a great way to casually interact with international students studying different degrees and share experiences. Those discussions were really valuable, and it was a great way to make friends and help out new international students.

From a professional perspective, UC Business School’s Global Impact project is a great opportunity for international students to interact with real companies and work together with other students to find solutions for these companies. This market research project is an important experience for international students to learn about the industries in NZ and gain valuable insights into the international market. 

How do you find life in Christchurch? 

Life is slower here compared to Mumbai, which is a great contrast to my “big city, always hustle” attitude. It makes me take a step back and just appreciate what we have. Christchurch is a beautiful city to explore. It has all the pretty things: countless gardens and parks, the beach and the sea, and – of course – the mountains and the views.

What do you get up to when you’re not studying?

I enjoy volunteering at Imagination Station at a local library. It is very stimulating to help kids explore Lego in innovative ways to build robots, make stop motion movies, or just build complicated contraptions. Other than that, I am either at dance rehearsals (Euphoria Dance Studio is like my family), at the gym (the UC RecCentre has super fun group fitness classes – the Pump classes are honestly the best), or just simply hanging out with friends, playing board games or exploring the city.

Are you involved in any clubs on campus? 

My best advice is to get involved in lots of clubs. I am involved in so many that I’ve lost count! It is a great avenue to try new things (I did musical theatre with MUSOC), find comfort (puzzles and pizza with the Math Society), and find “your” people (the Indian Student Association). Clubs are a great way to be my true self in a safe space (QCanterbury, UC’s rainbow society) and also push myself professionally and creatively (Entré has definitely been my favourite club so far).

Have you taken part in any internships, exchanges, or other practical experiences at UC?

As part of my degree, I had the flexibility to undertake a 45-credit consultancy project instead of a couple of courses. This project involves working with a real NZ company (Farmlands) to understand a real-world problem they are facing, and to provide appropriate recommendations and solutions. It is like a sneak peek into what work I could be doing in the future and gives me the experience of a real-world job. It has helped me understand what type of work I like and dislike, as well as what to look out for while preparing to enter the workforce after graduating.

Would you recommend UC to other international students? 

Yes! UC has a very holistic approach to education, which makes it easy to focus on developing your knowledge and skills. The systems and processes at UC are set up to be mindful of international students’ struggles, and UC's environment is open and welcoming, making it comfortable for international students to feel at home right away.