Victoria Maria Enriquez Martinez

What brought you to UC?

I was searching for opportunities to study abroad and UC stood out for several reasons. It’s based in Christchurch, which was important because I come from a big city and have a five year old son, so I wanted somewhere peaceful where I could live in a house and be close to nature. It’s also a very prestigious university with a beautiful campus and renowned lecturers, all of which were big factors in my decision.

You’ve returned to study at a later age. How has that experience been?

It was a little stressful at first because I hadn’t studied in a long time, so I had to get back into that rhythm. My first language is Spanish, so that was also a challenge. However, I found the entire environment at UC – the lecturers, programme coordinators, and university as a whole – to be very supportive. The people here are really nice and understanding, and they made it easy for me to get back into study. It was life-changing; it made me feel capable and inspired, and it taught me a lot about myself and the lifestyle that I want to create for the future.

What’s been your favourite aspect about student life UC?

Having spaces where I could go to focus on my study and prepare my papers was very important for me. It enabled me to meet a lot of other postgraduate students who could relate to my situation. I also got to meet PhD students who encouraged me to continue with my studies. We all supported each other through stressful times and became great friends. They helped me settle into life here, and they’re now part of my family. I also love UC’s campus – it’s lovely to walk around and get some fresh air. 

What do you like about your studies?

My programme is a good combination of international law that also includes the politics perspective, which is very important. It’s also great having so many options for your elective courses. A big highlight was a field trip to Wellington where we got to meet with Members of Parliament and ambassadors. We got to learn about how their careers were developed, what topics they work on daily, and how their work integrates with what we were studying. It was great to get insights on what that career path would look like. 

Are there any support services that you found particularly helpful?

UC’s Academic Skills Centre reviewed drafts of my papers and helped me improve the structure. They also helped me practice for my oral presentations. They were very kind and supportive, and I gained a lot of confidence for the presentations, which helped me earn a good grade. I also utilised Student Care at the beginning of my programme when I was nervous and struggling a little. They helped me reframe my perspective and gave me tools to manage the stress. Coming from Argentina to the other side of the world was shocking, but their support helped me feel settled and ready to focus on my studies. 

How do you find life in Christchurch?

I love it. It’s the perfect place for balancing work, study, and spending time with your family, especially with a small child. It allows me to enjoy things more. Everything is close, there’s not a lot of traffic, and the people are very friendly. Christchurch surprised me – in a good way – with how easily and happily my whole family settled. I imagine trying to settle anywhere else in the world, or even anywhere else in New Zealand, would have been a bit more difficult or taken more time. 

What do you get up to when you are not studying?

My family and I enjoy going to the beach, which is easy to do because you’re never more than 20 minutes’ drive from one. We love nature, so having that access to the beach and mountains and nice playgrounds is great. I also enjoy going for lots of walks because it’s very peaceful here, so it’s nice to be outside. 

What are your career goals and how well do you think your studies are preparing you?

I was a corporate lawyer in Buenos Aires, working in-house for different international companies and institutions. I wanted to study International Law and Politics because I could apply the tools and skills to those roles. Now, I’m planning to pursue a PhD at UC and would like to work for companies or in a public office as an advisor. I’m confident that the skills I’ve learned here can be applied anywhere in the world, so I will have my choice of what’s next. I know I’ll have a lot of job opportunities wherever I choose to go.

Would you recommend UC to other international students?

Yes, for so many reasons! UC offers great lecturers, an amazing, supportive environment, a lovely campus, and a fantastic city.