Wei Chen Lai

Why did you choose to come to UC? 

My university in Malaysia offers a pathway programme with UC, and I chose to come here to explore a new culture and country, meet new friends, step out of my comfort zone, and experience something new.

What is the education at UC like? 

Students are encouraged to use critical thinking and apply real-life examples so we can immerse ourselves in real-world business scenarios. The University teaches the latest knowledge and skills for a successful career.

The tutorial is discussion-based and interactive, so students share and speak with others. It’s non-judgemental, which creates a safe zone to share.

How did you find the academic staff at UC? 

The lecturers at UC are very helpful, especially when you need to adapt to a different style of coursework. They explain things in depth and they always made sure I fully understood. And they’re quite flexible and encouraging. They engage with students, ask questions, and talk to us about our opinions.

How was your transition from your pathway to UC?

The Business Internationalisation Team helped me from the very beginning. They provided a lot of support with things like how to enrol and how to pay fees. They also helped with all my questions about settling into New Zealand, like the weather and how to find housing.

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

The Tūhono Programme is great. It helped me meet a lot of new friends from different countries. We shared our own cultures and learned about others. It taught me a lot and helped me adapt to the culture here more easily.

What did you like most about life at UC?

I love how UC puts a lot of effort into putting on lots of events. The BCom Society holds a case competition doing a real-life case study, and my team won first place. It’s very valuable to immerse yourself in real-life situations, and I even became friends with my teammates.

How did you find life in Christchurch and New Zealand? 

Christchurch is very chill and offers a lot of outdoor activity. New Zealand scenery is next level; so far it’s the best I’ve ever seen. And the people are so friendly and easy to get along with.

What campus facilities did you enjoy using most? 

UC provides students with free access to the gym, which is well-equipped and maintained, so that’s a great benefit. I would go often and use the machines. Usually, in Malaysia, it’s not free and the gyms aren’t that great, so I really enjoyed taking advantage of UC’s fitness centre.

You worked part-time while studying at UC. What benefits did that provide?

I worked as a casual pharmacist assistant. Besides earning money, I got to meet a lot of awesome people and share experiences. Working in New Zealand definitely helped me adapt to the culture and society more easily, and also taught me to manage my time well.

What are you doing now that you’ve graduated?

I am currently working as an Auditor at Foo Kon Tan LLP, an audit firm in Singapore. As this is my first full-time job, I'm learning as much as I can from my seniors. I'm fortunate to be part of a team that's both supportive and friendly. 

Being an auditor brings new challenges daily, which keeps things interesting. Starting my career in auditing is giving me broad exposure, which will be beneficial for my long-term plans.

What UC services did you utilise to help prepare you for the application and interview process?

UC Careers has a tool called Interview360 which benefitted me a lot in getting well prepared for the interview. It features a wide range of interview questions and provides instant feedback, which helped me refine my responses.

Beyond Interview360, UC Careers offers numerous resources tailored to fresh graduates, ensuring we are well prepared and confident for interviews and job applications.

Has your time at UC benefitted your career path in other ways?

I am currently pursuing the CPA Australia professional accounting qualification alongside working full-time. Thanks to my degree from UC, I've been able to get exemptions for most of the papers, leaving just six more to complete before I become a certified accountant. Balancing work, life, and study has been a new challenge, but it's an important part of the journey.

Would you recommend UC to other international students?

Yes, I would. New Zealand is a friendly country towards international students, and UC provides a lot of support. With all the societies and clubs there are chances to have a taste of home, and you don’t feel alone. People at UC are very friendly and open to different cultures.

Any advice for others who may be just starting out on their job search?

It took me a bit of time to secure this role. Initially, I felt frustrated, but it's important not to jump at the first job offer that comes along. Choosing the right employer and a job you enjoy is crucial. In short, focus on thorough interview preparation, and the right opportunities will eventually come.