Support
Find out about the range of support services available to refugee-background students.
Whether you need help with your health and wellbeing, with practical details like finances, English proficiency, and somewhere to live, or with how to juggle your studies with being a parent, the University can support you.
Refugee background student adviser
My name is Abdul Samad Haidari (he/him), the new refugee background student adviser. I was born in the high mountains and wide landscapes of Afghanistan and have been a refugee since I was 10 years old. I have recently arrived in Aotearoa after spending nearly a decade in Indonesia as a refugee. My job is to support students who were refugees, or whose parents were refugees, while they study at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. I am the first point of contact for any concerns. I am available for in-person drop-ins on Wednesdays 11 am–4 pm in SU201.
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Abdul Samad Haidari
Kaiārahi Tauira Konene | Refugee Background Student Adviser
abdul.haidari@vuw.ac.nz SU201—Student Union Building
![reuben-3200x1800 Smiling student, Reuben, is standing holding a book in front of the Beehive in Wellington.](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0007/1879315/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Plan your studies
Thinking of coming to the University? We can help you make the right decisions about what to study—get in touch with our student recruitment team.
![te-puni-village-3200x1800 A group of students sitting in the dining room of Te Puni Village hall of residence which overlooks Wellington harbour.](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0009/1922463/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Accommodation
Where you live can enrich your university experience. Find out more about our halls of residence and the accommodation care and support we provide.
![Financial advice Two people working with laptops and paper to sort out finances.](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0007/1947193/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Financial support and advice
You can get help with your finances, whether it's managing your student loan or allowance, paying fees, budgeting, or applying for scholarships.
![Student feedback A lecturer and student reviewing a piece of work together](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0007/1880773/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
English assistance
We offer the English Proficiency Programme and Academic Writing in ESL courses, and you may be able to get your fees paid for by the Refugee English Fund.
![refugee background students students with refugee background students sign](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0020/2035460/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Vic Without Barriers
Find out about a student-led club for students from refugee backgrounds that provides academic support and social activities.
![See a specialist Medical equipment laid out on a desk.](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0003/1365339/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Health and counselling
The Mauri Ora (Student Health and Counselling) team provide a range of services to help students manage their physical and mental wellbeing while at university.
![wellbeing poster Image of text about being kind to yourself](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0003/2035461/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Wellbeing
Find out how to look after yourself and seek support for your health and wellbeing, including free services on campus, online, and outside the University.
![Student parent A young Asian woman holding a small child with a laptop computer on the desk behind her.](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0005/1947182/woman-child-laptop.jpg)
Students with children
Find out how the University welcomes and supports students with children, about bringing your children to campus, and about our facilities for parents.
![Chaplaincy Table with woman's hands holding tea cup and another person holding a religious book.](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0007/1947184/bible-tea-muffin.jpg)
Chaplaincy
The chaplaincy runs Koha, a donation-based café, and provides space for people to connect, reflect and find support, regardless of belief or background.
![stones-and-bowl.jpg A woman holds a wooden bowl containing stones while she extends one of the stones as a gift.](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0011/1518617/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Disability services
You can get tailored assistance if you are Deaf, have a disability or impairment, mental illness, injury, medical condition or specific learning disability.
![Rainbow crossing Students walking across Rainbow crossing on Cuba Street](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0008/1794617/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Rainbow students
We offer a range of services and resources for students who identify with diverse sexual orientations and sex and gender identities—the Rainbow community.
![international-students-support.jpg Two students, with an advisor smiling, while looking at a pamphlet.](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0010/1947160/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Careers and employment
Find out about networking events and get support with your career planning, including CV drop-in sessions and one-to-one appointments with our consultants.