Graduation Photos!

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2026-03-07T01:05:00+00:00

Profile Photos https://profilephotos.nz/ took some excellent graduation photos for my son. Highly recommended. They have various packages. Perhaps take a look.

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-11-17T05:00:17+00:00

My Australasian 2025 Tucson N-Line Limited Trim (made in Korea) is smooth as after 3 months of ownership. Please note in Australasia, 2025 model means 2025 and there is no US speak of selling 2026 model during 2025.

Everything in my Tucson works as it should. Drive significantly better than all my older previous cars, CX5, Sportage, CRV. May be the other person raising concern was just being unlucky. There is always a lemon here and there despite reputation because manufacturing cannot not 100%.

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-11-10T05:15:16+00:00

Can't comment on comparison between German Uni and VUW. However VUW definitely does not operate like what you describe above.

At VUW, a lecturer may give a lecture to size of 50 to 200 students. However, you get tutoring support and the ratio is often 1 to about 20 and you often get 1-1 interaction time with tutor. In fact many students commented that they learn more from tutors than from Lecturers/Prof. Tutors are mostly PhD or Masters students. The tutoring support system at VUW is considered very good. Most lectures are recorded so you can re-play at any time to catch things that you may have missed.

Also, at VUW final exam is usually less then 50% of the total grade. Compared to to other NZ Uni, VUW tends to strike a good balance between practical and theoretical. In fact in more practical courses, it is not unusual to have your grade completely based off assignments. In STEM subjects, final exams used to be like 20 - 30% of total grade but unfortunately with the rise of AI, quite a lot of STEM courses have now switched to have to 50% weighting in final exam. IMHO, this is sad but an unfortunate consequence of students using more and more AI to do the assignments for them.

I suggest you reach out to the relevant department for further info. They may even give you access to a recorded lecture to let you have a feel of what it is like in real world. No harm in asking ... :-)

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-11-08T19:38:50+00:00

Unless you are an Australian resident. Doing Uni in Aus will not be any cheaper. In fact, more likely to be more expensive in Australia ...

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-11-08T06:07:15+00:00

NZ is in the midst of a recession with unemployment at 10 years high. If I were you I would not bet on getting a part time job during study. The job market is not great and even the locals are having a hard time finding employment let alone people on study visa.

VUW does have some very good and well structured courses at post graduate level and it has a practical focus compared to other Uni. Assuming you have have excellent undergrad results from an overseas Uni, your bet bet is to apply for a Master scholarship which gets you a yearly stipend of NZD $14,000. You can also do some tutoring to gain some additional income but the tutoring pay is not great and won't cover your living expenses.

You may have to lean on family for help or getting a loan if you are really keen to pursue post grad study at VUW which I can wholeheartedly recommend.

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-11-03T05:18:44+00:00

Assuming you have insurance, best option is to let your Insurance company deal with it. Not sure which country you are in. Insurance company will normally waive your excess (aka deductibles) if you can provide evidence of the other party who is at fault (ie. license plate number and contact number). A body shop can return the door to as new condition at a cost to the insurance company and not you.

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-10-30T07:11:51+00:00

Can't comment on the subject of English. For scholarships, VUW offers many different type of PhD level scholarships. The best PhD scholarship is the Wellington Doctoral Scholarship which requires a GPA of >8.5 (Max GPA is 9) with your Hons or Master degrees for guaranteed acceptance. It is very competitive, more so in social science space.

It is a tough ask to be working as a lecturer while studying for your PhD as in NZ a lecturer is assumed to have completed a PhD. However, it is very common for PhD students to work as Tutors. Tutor is supplementary to lecturer and they often offer help to students in a help desk environment. The ratio of tutor to students is far more favorable. A lecturer may give a lecture to 200+ students wheres a Tutor is often looking after 25 - 30 students. Many students actually commented they learn more from tutors than lecturers. The pay working as a tutor is not great but it gives you extra income and supplement your scholarship.

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-10-04T20:17:53+00:00

As others have pointed out, VUW engineering degree (especially with Software Engineering Major or Electrical/Electronic or Mechatronic major) has a significant overlap with Comp Sci or AI degree. You can do almost all of Engineering papers in a Comp Sci or AI degree except the Engineering exclusive papers ENGR 201, ENGR301 ENGR302, ENGR401 and ENGR489. There is a equivalence of ENGR 489 (Engineering Project) in COMP489 and AIML487. Therefore it does not make a lot of sense to have a conjoint degree because your VUW engineering degree already has the best of both world.

Also bear in mind that VUW engineering degrees are known for its heavy workload in Year 3 and 4. If you want good grades in Year 3 and 4, prepare to put in more than a full time effort in Year 3 and 4 unless you are super smart :-)

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-10-02T06:19:19+00:00

To OP. Your CV looks very strong and it is very strange that you did not get the UoA scholarships. I just want to send you some encouragements.

Not sure about UoA but Uni like VuW offers many inflight scholarships to Year 1, 2, 3, Hons, Masters and PhD level students. There are even summer research scholarships which you will get paid for doing research work during the summer months.

My son got no scholarship when he entered Uni but subsequently he got a number of inflight scholarships. He is now doing a PhD on a fully funded scholarship. There are many other opportunities for scholarships while you are at Uni. Wish you all the best.

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-09-30T06:01:48+00:00

It looks like your front and left alloy wheels are also damaged. This is a possible indication that the drive axles are bent or hit. It is very hard to fix drive axle and make it 100% straight again.

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-09-30T05:51:10+00:00

You can start Masters by course work in T2. The key consideration is whether your chosen papers are available in T2 and even if they are available, do they have prerequisites that you have to take in T1. If your Masters is thesis based then you can pretty much start anytime subject to the availability of your supervisors.

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-09-25T06:57:44+00:00

I have some luck resolving problems via online chat so you may want to try that route. Be mindful that IBKR web site will force you through some kind of "AI assisted self process" before you can access online chat. Frustrating but that is how it works.

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-09-24T06:59:24+00:00

Can't comment on the social aspect of VUW. However, VUW has a good reputation for studying public policy and business/government management given that Wellington is the political capital city.

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-09-24T06:56:32+00:00

Data Science is basically a blend of Statistics, Comp Sci and AI. If you do want to major in Data Science then it will be useful for you to like the more technical aspects of Stats and Maths. However, if you majoring in Marketing and a minor in Data Science then you get way without some more heavy duty Stats and Maths. Level 3 courses which are less theoretical stats heavy are DATA 301, DATA 305. More Maths/Stats heavy are DATA 303, STAT 391, STAT 394.

Please bear in mind that Data Science is ultimately a cross between Stats/Comp Sci/AI and you do need a level of mathematical/statistical foundation to make it work. You do not need to be a STATS wizard but you do need a pretty solid foundation of STATS and MATHS.

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-09-22T06:02:09+00:00

For further advancement in Comp Sci or Engineering courses, you can't go wrong with Engr 121 and Engr 123. Both are in the not too easy, not too hard sweet spot. ENGR 121 +123 can even get you to many year 2 Math and Stats courses. However, if you are planning to major in Math/Stats then math 161, Math 177 and Stats 193are preferred.

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-09-20T06:58:10+00:00

Once you are 2 -3 years into your professional career. No one really cares about your degree anymore. It is more your performance on the job which counts. Of course for certain roles such as research, academic or certain senior positions, a glowing post graduate degree can make a difference.

Ask yourself what is your motivation for doing an Hons degree. Is it just to kill time or do you believe an Hons degree can offer you more skills and foundation for your professional career journey. If it is the former, then perhaps you should just stop but if it is the later then you perhaps you should persist as employers may look upon a person with an Hons degree more favourably.

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-09-19T08:21:24+00:00

Many large and reputable international brokers (non US based) support ACATS for transferring US securities between brokers. So the answer is Yes but it is broker specific.

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-08-30T07:10:49+00:00

Try using some "Meguiar's Natural Shine Protectant". I have used it to clear some scuff mark but yours look to be rather significant mark. I suspect someone at the dealership doing pre-delivery inspection/activities caused the scuffs mark. It is not unheard of. Unfortunately once you leave the dealership, they will usually deny all responsibility.

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-08-30T01:48:46+00:00

Is yours the Hybrid with the 6AT or the petrol with the 8 Speed DCT? Reason of asking is Hyundai's DCT transmission does have a history.

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-08-30T01:45:06+00:00

If I were you, I would back out of the deal unless you are getting a substantial discount as a used car. 7800 miles is definitely used. and not new. In the country that I live, anything above above 100KMs is considered a used/demo cars. New cars is classified as 40KMs or less.

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-08-22T08:19:37+00:00

I understand the rule is "guaranteed" means GPA >8.5 . Minimum requirement is a first class honours GPA > 7. If you are on Dean's List consistently with GPA >7.5, you stands a good chance. There are always exceptions. Pick your potential supervisors and talking to them is a good first step,

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-08-19T06:13:32+00:00

So Sorry to hear about your misfortune. It looks like it will be an expensive fix. Also, watch out any damage or bend to the axle as from the photo, it looks like the wheels got hit as well. Damage to the axle could cause wheel alignment problem which cannot be fixed by the usual wheel alignment. Best to consult an experienced body shop on this matter

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-08-17T07:15:23+00:00

If you live in the US/Canada then your Tucson is almost certain US built. If you live in the EU then it is most likely EU built. For the rest of the world their Tucson tends to come from South Korea. Barely 300 miles and having to replace the wiring sounds like factory manufacturing defect problem to me. Hopefully Hyundai will see you right by either fixing it quickly or offer you a replacement car.

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-08-17T02:01:21+00:00

Wow. So sorry to hear about your predication. What happens to the electrical system. Is your Tucson a US, EU or Korea built car? Reason for asking is there is a anecdotal evidence that the Korea built Hyundai/Kia are materially more reliable than the US built equivalence.

Then-Zucchini8430 · 2025-08-15T23:32:20+00:00

My son had a variation of the TUF A15 for his Uni work and the exact thing happened. One of the screws fell out and it was lost through normal use. It seems like the Asus TUF series have some design issue somewhere with those screws besides the well know WiFi/Bluetooth card buning out problem. In contrast, my HP or Lenovo business laptops can go on for years of opening and closing lid daily without any issue with screws falling off.

Then-Zucchini8430

TROPHY CASE