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Ara student’s volunteering experience
Sas has been involved in the Christchurch Youth Council’s Civics focus group, is an International Student Representative for the Ara Student Council, and is the Student Representative for Engineering, representing his classmates at the Engineering New Zealand Canterbury Committee meetings each month.
He has found that volunteering is great for networking and considering his future career options.
“I love it because it’s study-related, and I get to meet a lot of industry people,” Sas said.
“It’s been good for developing my communication skills, and public speaking. Currently I’m doing my final year project on recycled concrete but I’ve also talked to the City Council to see if there’s any research they want me to do for them. It’s good to do industry projects.”
In future, Sas is interested in working with Engineers without Borders.
“I’d love the opportunity to go to the Pacific Islands and use the knowledge I’ve learned so far to help build structures and give back to those communities.”
Lynda Clegg from the Ara Careers Centre believes students can find great value in volunteering.
“Volunteering offers a range of opportunities for students including building on their employability skills, gaining experience in an area of interest, contributing to the community and enhancing their CV,” said Clegg.
Ara organised a Student Volunteer Expo earlier this month to connect students to volunteering with a variety of organisations, including Ronald McDonald House, Salvation Army and SPCA.
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11 million engagements across channels
Patrick Holden, ENZ’s Digital Media Project Manager, said this makes it ENZ's single largest marketing campaign yet.
“We are really pleased with how ENZ’s ‘Future Proof’ campaign has been tracking since its launch on 19 March,” he said.
New Zealand was ranked the #1 country in the world for educating students for the future, according to a report by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) released late last year.
On 19 March, ENZ launched an eight-week global campaign to promote the ranking and encourage international students to sign-up to ENZ’s database marketing programme.
The first ‘dream’ phase of the campaign focused on awareness.
“We reached over 30 million people and have had 11,757,000 engagements across our digital and social ecosystem.
“This is the largest qualified audience ENZ has ever achieved in a single campaign.”
The second phase of the campaign started on 1 April and is focussed on converting the audience into enquiries to institutions. Ten days in, 11,600 referrals have been made.
The ‘Future proof’ campaign integrates ENZ’s social communities and digital channels via ENZ’s student attraction engine and is the first campaign integrated with the database marketing platform.
The third ‘decide’ phase will introduce the My StudyNZ member centre tool for which we received excellent feedback from the pilot prospective student group.
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Japanese students join Kiwi flight school
The students came from Kinjo Gakuin University in Nagoya, Japan and studied a short course specially designed for them. In addition to New Zealand School of Tourism’s flight attending course, they also had a session from Cut Above Academy about hair and makeup training, as immaculate grooming is an essential part of the job.
Shizuko Ozaki, a teacher from Kinjo Gakuin University, said the girls loved their time at the airport campus, and were impressed with the school’s facilities – including offering training onboard a real plane.
“They enjoyed the hands-on learning and the practical aspect of the training on the 737 aircraft. The trainer was fantastic with our students, she made the learning easy for them to understand and follow. They also enjoyed interacting with the other classes and they felt very comfortable and welcomed on campus.”
New Zealand School of Tourism frequently creates bespoke programmes for international groups.
New Zealand student Armani Young said having international groups at the college was a bonus for everyone involved. She said it gave the trainers the opportunity to learn about other cultures, and the international students the chance to experience life in New Zealand.
“Our class also loved interacting with the Japanese group. They were quiet and shy at first, but soon became comfortable and had fun interacting with us. It was great to share our culture with them.”
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Have your say on major review of education
There are several ways people can become involved in the Education Conversation | Kōrero Mātauranga.
People can offer their thoughts on the future of education using the simple online public survey at https://conversation.education.govt.nz/and engage on social media using the hashtag #EdConvo18.
The Ministry of Education has been working with stakeholder groups across the sector to identify possible participants for two Education Summit events being held next month – in Christchurch on 5-6 May and Auckland on 12-13 May.
Some 3,000 nominations have been received for the total of 1,600 spaces at the events. Invitations are going out this week to people representing the full breadth of the sector and the wider community, including students.
Fiona Weightman, the Ministry’s Group Manager Communications and Stakeholder Engagement, said that not everyone who wishes to will be able to participate directly in the Summit events as numbers have to be limited due primarily to venue capacity.
“In acknowledgement of this, there will also be regional opportunities after the Summit events for local communities to share their ideas and continue the kōrero.”
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Around the world in five
IRELAND
Ireland to create new technological universities
Ten of Ireland’s 14 institutes of technology are working together to merge and set up four new technological universities focused on science and technology programmes by September 2018.
Read moreCOLOMBIA
Colombia hopes peace can attract postgraduates
The ongoing peace process has given new impetus to the country’s efforts to attract international students, with the Colombia Scholarship scheme for postgraduate students doubling its budget and inviting 110 applications.
Read moreINDONESIA
University sector to open to 100 percent foreign ownership
Indonesia’s university sector will open to 100 percent foreign investment, including allowing foreign universities to open local campuses, according to the head of the country’s investment board.
Read moreUK
Alliance needed on student mental health
A student mental health report has prompted a group of stakeholders in the education sector to call for more collaboration to improve mental health of students, including international students.
Read moreCHINA
App designed to help protect Chinese students abroad
A private company has launched an app to provide a range of security, travel and emergency support services to Chinese international students in New Zealand, US, Australia, Cambodia and Israel.
Read more -
ENZ signs education arrangement with Atsugi city
The arrangement was signed between ENZ, the Atsugi City Council and the Atsugi City Board of Education at the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo on 5 April.
The signing was preceded by a two-day visit to Wellington by an Atsugi City Board of Education delegation in late March. They met ENZ Chief Executive Grant McPherson, Deputy Mayor of Wellington Jill Day and visited secondary schools.
ENZ Chief Executive Grant McPherson with Atsugi City Board of Education Superintendent Takaharu Soda in Wellington
Already there are tangible results from the signing. Atsugi city is making plans to send a group of junior high school students on a 10-day study visit in August to Wainuiomata High School, Wellington.
Misa Kitaoka, ENZ’s Senior Market Development Manager – Japan, said Atsugi city is keen to provide more opportunities for Atsugi’s school students as well as English teachers for teacher training in New Zealand.
Atsugi city will also act as a host town for New Zealand under the Japanese government’s initiative to promote exchanges between Japanese cities and the countries participating in the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.
The education cooperation arrangement is the first of its kind between a Japanese host town and guest country.
Adele Bryant, ENZ’s Regional Director for China and North Asia, said the arrangement will strengthen the education relationship.
“Atsugi city has begun organising a range of activities to foster a strong relationship between the city and New Zealand in sport, culture and education.
“The arrangement has highlighted the range of education exchange initiatives that we could further promote as part of Japan’s ongoing internationalisation agenda leading up to and after the 2020 Olympics,” Adele said.
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Massey links up with Dutch social scientists
Researchers from the Sociology of Development and Change group at Wageningen University in the Netherlands were hosted by Massey University’s School of People, Environment and Planning earlier this year.
Together, they created and signed The Mordor Accord (referencing the Lord of the Rings film scenery where it was signed) and developed a collaborative workplan addressing issues to do with the environment, food, political economy and development studies.
Massey Professor Glenn Banks, Head of the School of People, Environment and Planning, says the school jumped at the opportunity to work with Wageningen.
“Massey and Wageningen have been working together for a number of years but it is only recently that we started a discussion between social scientists at the two institutions,” he said.“The main objective of the collaboration is to kick-start joint teaching, research and grant development, and to help strengthen and broaden the relations between the two universities.
“We are also looking to gain from their strength in Latin America and Africa, where they do a lot of work. [In turn], they get a lot from us in the Pacific and Asia where they are looking to expand their research and are seeking networks and joint opportunities."In future, the partnership will translate into work programmes with joint publications, research grant development and applications, and staff and student visits and exchanges.
Some of these are already underway – a Massey University Sociology PhD student Stella Pennell is leaving in mid-year for a three-month visit to Wageningen as part of her study.
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Latin American agents tour New Zealand
The trip was organised by Carlos Robles, Director of IEP’s New Zealand Choice Schools, a consortium of 14 New Zealand secondary schools. It began in the north with a visit to Kerikeri, and covered schools right through to Dunedin – hitting Auckland, Te Puke, Napier, Rotorua, Wellington and Queenstown in between.
Carlos said the diverse range of schools and settings gave the agents useful insights into what New Zealand offers as a study destination.
“At Kerikeri High School, the agents participated in a Sailing Academy with the students, while in Queenstown they witnessed the modern facilities and collaborative learning approach at Wakatipu High School,” said Carlos.
“It showed agents the range of education experiences that Latin American students can have in New Zealand and that often aren’t available in their home countries.”
In Napier, the group visited Taradale High School and William Colenso College before hitting Western Heights High School in Rotorua where the students performed a haka. The whirlwind trip ended at Te Puke High School.
ENZ’s Senior Market Development Manager Brazil, Ana Azevedo, said the agents returned to Mexico and Brazil with a deeper knowledge of the secondary school possibilities they can share with their students.
“It reinforces that experiencing a Kiwi classroom first-hand is a great way to inspire agents to promote the variety of high-quality education offerings in New Zealand.”
The agents also had some time for adventures including taking in the sights in Queenstown and Milford Sound, spending an afternoon at Te Papa in Wellington, cycling through the vineyards in Napier and relaxing in the hot pools of Rotorua.
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Student speakers at NZIEC 2018
WelTec student Angelique Viola came from the Philippines to study accounting here, leaving behind a secure job and taking a leap of faith. After graduation, her goal is to find employment as an accountant in New Zealand.Three things I’ve enjoyed about being an international student in New Zealand:
1. My tutors were supportive and made me feel comfortable to ask them questions. It helped me cope up with my studies and boosted my confidence. Other support, like the free shuttle bus provided by my school, was also a big help.
2. It is the first time that I encountered a study break during the school semester. That one-week break helped me to cool off before the final exams.
3. The Work-Ready Wellington programme helped me learn about New Zealand’s working environment.
Three things I’ve found hard about being an international student in New Zealand:
1. Finding a part-time job related to the field I am studying.
2. The cost of transportation is quite expensive.
3. It’s challenging to find an institution that offers free seminars/training to enhance specific skills I am lacking.
The one thing that would have made the biggest difference/improvement in my experience is…
I am taking a Graduate Diploma in accounting and it would be beneficial to have on-the-job style training and to learn software such as Xero or MYOB in the curriculum. This would definitely help me in my job hunt since most New Zealand employers are looking for experienced individuals.
Yuki Sugito left Japan to study at Wainuiomata High School – party driven by the appeal of the All Blacks at the 2015 World Cup. He has become involved in kapa haka, competing in the national championships with his school group. He plans to study tourism management at the University of Otago, and also wants to teach Japanese to Kiwis.Three things I’ve enjoyed about being an international student in New Zealand:
1. I like learning about New Zealand culture. At school, I participate in Kapa Haka and get to learn the significance of Māori traditions.
2. New Zealand school is less strict than Japan and I can relate to the teachers and build good relationships.
3. I can practice my English every day.
Three things I’ve found hard about being an international student in New Zealand:
1. Learning English is hard. In Japanese we don’t pronounce “r’s” and “l’s”. Also, the slang New Zealanders use is hard to get used to.
2. In New Zealand you have to self-manage your time. In Japan you “must” do things, in New Zealand you “should” do things, but no one makes you do it. You have to be motivated to achieve.
3. The NCEA system is different and hard. The system in New Zealand means if you don’t get your credits you can’t go to university. In Japan, the universities don’t operate like this.
The one thing that would have made the biggest difference/improvement in my experience is…
The classes for each subject in school are longer than in Japan. I wish New Zealand had at least a 10-minute break between classes. In Japan, classes are 50 minutes long with a small break in between which makes you feel recharged to learn the next subject.
Jingxin 'Ada' Wang is originally from China, and studied a master’s degree in accounting at Victoria University of Wellington. She enjoys travelling and has embraced hiking since being in New Zealand.
Three things I’ve enjoyed about being an international student in New Zealand:
1. Excellent international student insurance – I don’t need worry about any accidents.
2. Help from the international students centre, they give you the best advice no matter what issues you struggle with. There are also lots of discounts for international students such as gyms, barbershops and restaurants.
3. I went to a Work-Ready course organised by Wellington Council, which made it easier for me to find employment after graduating.
Three things I’ve found hard about being an international student in New Zealand:
1. The Kiwi accent was very hard to understand at the beginning, and it was difficult for people to understand my own accent.
2. It’s hard to find delicious and authentic Chinese food in New Zealand.
3. Winter is my nightmare, and the weather here is always so rainy, windy and cold!
The one thing that would have made the biggest difference/improvement in my experience is…
I wish I had more support from my university about New Zealand etiquette and taboo. International students need to mingle into New Zealand culture and society and know the appropriate way to speak and to behave.
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US delegation delighted by New Zealand biculturalism
Although many of the study abroad advisors were already working with New Zealand partners and sending students to New Zealand, they hadn’t experienced the country themselves.
Prior to the visit, participants listed Māori culture and heritage as one of their top three focuses for the visit to New Zealand institutions.
In Dunedin, the delegation was welcomed onto the Otago Polytechnic campus with a powhiri. In return, the delegation sang “Te Aroha” – after having practised it on the bus ride from their hotel.
The group said this moment, and similar experiences on other New Zealand campuses, was what provided them with a better understanding of New Zealand and the international student experience – even more so than the brochures they received from institutions.
“I was surprised and very impressed to see how Māori culture is so integrated and celebrated around the country. This is unique and a stark contrast to the experience of indigenous cultures in other countries,” said one delegate.
Alanna Dick, ENZ Field Director – North America, said the advisors left with a better understanding of New Zealand, and a drive to help more US students experience it too.
“It was clear to me the visit was a success when one study abroad advisor told me that now they understand the main points of difference between New Zealand and Australia! They now tell their students they would have a unique study experience in New Zealand, especially if they take a course to learn more about the indigenous culture like Kapa Haka or introduction to te Reo Māori.”
The US delegation offered suggestions for New Zealand institutions to consider when hosting international guests:
- Explain how Māori culture is embedded into curriculum
- Invite Kiwi students to sit on a student panel or lead campus tours
- More conversations over kai with faculty, staff and students and less PowerPoint presentations
- Consider having faculty give a short presentation about their area of research or courses they teach.
The US delegation also attended NZIEC to present a session on US engagement. They shared interesting initiatives and partnership models from their campuses, highlighted the importance of curriculum integration between US and overseas institutions, and shared best practices for outreach to students from diverse or underrepresented backgrounds.
