Gurleen Kaur: Finding a New Home in New Zealand While Pursuing My Dream in Media Design

The culture, the people, and the natural beauty were captivating. After the pandemic, I felt a strong desire to move abroad, and New Zealand seemed like the perfect choice. Now, having lived here for a while, I can confidently say it was the right decision - it truly feels like home.

When I decided on New Zealand, I knew I wanted to live in Auckland, the largest city. I did thorough research and came across Media Design School (MDS). I loved the idea of smaller class sizes, which meant I could develop closer relationships with lecturers and students. 

At larger universities, you sometimes feel like just a number, but here, I feel a real connection to everyone. 

I also appreciated how practical the course was - working on industry briefs and projects made it clear that by the end of my degree, I’d come out a better designer and person.

I chose the Bachelor of Media Design (BMD) because of the breadth and depth of the programme. Although I didn’t have a strong design background, I was always making presentations and videos for friends using tools like Canva. The three-year programme seemed like the perfect amount of time to dive into the basics, learn the necessary software, and specialise in areas I enjoyed - eventually, I chose to focus on Motion Design. It felt like the perfect investment of my time and energy.

When I moved to New Zealand, it wasn’t without challenges. I didn’t know anyone and had never lived on my own before. The first few months were tough - figuring out how to navigate a new city, learning to cook for myself, and battling homesickness. I missed my family and friends from India deeply. But over time, I built a new home here. I started making friends, including my classmate who is now my flatmate. The welcoming nature of my classmates and the supportive environment at MDS made all the difference.

One of my favourite aspects of studying at MDS is the way we’re encouraged to be creative. I love how the briefs we work on allow us to explore our ideas and get constructive feedback from lecturers, helping to shape and refine our work. One project that stands out is a group assignment for Spark, where we collaborated on a Matariki brief. It was my first experience working in a group, and it was amazing to present our ideas to people from the industry. Knowing that my work had real-world value was incredibly fulfilling.

MDS also does a fantastic job supporting international students. I was part of the international student executive committee, where I helped organise monthly lunches and events. This role gave me the chance to connect with other international students, creating a sense of community and belonging. Even though I was the only international student in my class, I never felt like I didn’t belong. Everyone at MDS, from lecturers to management, has been incredibly supportive, and I’ve always felt valued as part of the school.

Studying in New Zealand has transformed me in so many ways. Back home, I lived with my family and had everything taken care of for me. Here, I’ve grown so much as a person - learning to live independently and taking care of myself has been a huge achievement. It’s also given me the confidence to tackle design challenges with a structured approach. The lessons I’ve learnt at MDS will stay with me for the rest of my life.

If I could offer advice to anyone from India considering studying in New Zealand, I’d say do your research, make sure you’re passionate about the subject, and just go for it. New Zealand is a beautiful country, filled with the kindest people. Taking the leap was the best decision I’ve ever made.

Watch Gurleen talk about her experience as an international student at MDS.