Search
Showing 10 of 1803 results for NARSC 2016 July student registration fees
-
Student Ambassadors build global citizenship skills
Since it was set up in 2021, the programme has involved around 85 secondary and 50 tertiary students in six participating regions – Northland, Auckland, Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, Whanganui and Wellington. Northland acted as national coordinator.
“International students can sometimes find it difficult to connect with locals, make friends or venture outside their campus,” says Sahinde Pala, GM Sector Services at Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ).
“Language and cultural barriers, hesitation to meet new people, lack of knowledge of opportunities off campus, or budget constraints – many factors can play a part. The emergence of Covid-19 and lockdowns made it even more important to address these challenges, and so we worked with a range of people, including regional partners and Welcoming Communities, to develop the student ambassador programme.”
The programme has developed differently in each region, but with the same shared goals. Another common factor has been the training provided for student ambassadors – the opportunity to complete a New Zealand Global Competence certificate, training in social media, and specially tailored training provided by ISANA NZ.
“Student ambassadors are bridgebuilders and leaders, who create opportunities for students from different cultures to form relationships and learn about each other,” Ms Pala says.
“The ambassadors themselves also gain from the programme, by developing their understanding of cultural differences and learning new skills and strategies that are valued by employers. And regional communities benefit when international students feel valued and connected – they are more likely to remain in the area or recommend it to others.”
The ISANA NZ Student Ambassador Training explores intercultural concepts in an interactive and engaging format that can be run online or in-person. Participants are then able to apply their learning to develop activities and events that help students to connect with the wider community. Debrief sessions towards the close of a programme cycle support students to reflect on what they have learned from being a student ambassador.
“I enjoyed learning about how communication works between different cultures, going over cultural values and how some are visible and invisible and learning top tips to help me improve as an ambassador” – student feedback.
“Our Northland student ambassadors joined the ISANA workshop as a group of excited students interested in global citizenship and finished as a tight knit group of inter-cultural leaders in the school community. They learnt to work together, giving everyone a chance to contribute and respecting each other’s perspectives. The communication and planning skills honed in the workshop, enabled them to run a large-scale ‘Matariki Kai Festival’ event, introducing a range of food from cultures across the school to the students.” – Jo Lees, National Ambassador Coordinator and Project Manager at Study Northland.
Other activities sparked by the programme in different parts of New Zealand have included a Kiwi Cooking Class, an Auckland Weekly video series, international languages week events and Matariki events organised and run by the ambassadors, diplomatic events attended by ambassadors from other countries and an International Students Issues Panel Discussion.
One of the student ambassadors was recently profiled by ENZ: Michael Ren – Award-winning app designer eyes a future in tech | Education New Zealand (enz.govt.nz)
Several regions have indicated they hope to continue their student ambassador programme beyond 2022: Northland, Tauranga and Hawke’s Bay.
“This student ambassador training is much needed, not only for the international education sector but also across wider communities in New Zealand. In fact, I think everyone could benefit from this training if they have not received similar training before in intercultural communications and leadership,” says Wenhua Yang, Regional Manager at Learning Hawkes Bay.
To learn more about the ISANA NZ Student Ambassador Training, please contact: caroline.stevenson@isana.nz
-
International Student Experience Survey 2023 now open
The International Student Experience Survey (ISES) surveys international students and alumni in Aotearoa New Zealand across all international education sub-sectors and at all stages of the student journey – from those who have just arrived in the country to those who have recently graduated.
The ISES aims to better understand the overall international student experience to identify what is being done well, and where improvements can be made.
It features insights and findings on nine, key aspects of the student experience journey –
- Decision making factors
- Study arrangements
- Arrival and orientation experience
- Education experience
- Living experience
- People and connections
- Value for money
- Work experience opportunities, and
- Future plans
The survey targets international students via multiple channels, with the student sample including those on current student visas, post-study work visas, and those post study, but not currently on a work visa. To maximise uptake, ENZ has also engaged with sector peak bodies and education providers to distribute the survey to their students.
Findings from previous surveys have informed ENZ’s Student Experience work, including the development of bespoke content on NauMai NZ that better serves international student needs, shaped student experience-focused outreach across government and informed partnership with community organisations.
ENZ’s Student Experience Manager, Ross Crosson said that the ISES provides a rich data source to understand the student experience.
“Research-informed findings must inform all our mahi. This survey helps us better understand our students’ experience living and studying in New Zealand, which can be used to inform decisions to improve that experience,” Ross said.
“We look forward to sharing survey findings with the sector, and discussing those findings with them, later this year."
-
International student speakers lay the wero at NZIEC KI TUA
Sean Teow, Aria Ngārimu, Ibuki Nishida, and Albert Lu, each shared stories and insights with NZIEC KI TUA attendees that offered a reminder to those working in international education about why they do what they do.
The students’ speeches laid a worthy wero for the international education sector to continue the good work and keep international students at the centre of our work long after they arrive in New Zealand.
In this context, a wero is a traditional Māori challenge, performed by Māori warriors at a pōwhiri to test the intentions of visitors – by wielding weapons and laying down the challenge, with a token, such as a small branch for visitors to pick up and show they come in peace. Wero can also be used to convey a 'challenge' in other settings besides the traditional usage.
President of the New Zealand International Students' Association (NZISA), Sean Teow (Malaysia), spoke candidly about the full range of his student experience – offering insights on how he came to choose New Zealand to what the international education sector could focus on to better the student experience further.
Sean Teow speaks at NZIEC KI TUA.
Sean spoke about the need to focus on the “level of heart” that New Zealand exudes when interacting with prospective students alongside “bread and butter” attributes such as the high quality of education, lifestyle and beautiful natural environment.
“Be proud of the quality of New Zealand education, but also you as people, there is a level of heart that exudes itself when talking to students. That intention can be felt by a prospective student who may be afraid and anxious to embark on that path, a simple feeling that these people know how to take care of me, and they mean well.
“Don’t forget that the next time you recruit or interact with students for that could make the very difference with students remembering New Zealand and enjoying their time here. Embrace and embody manaakitanga,” Sean urged delegates.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship recipient Aria Ngārimu (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Rongomaiwāhine, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui), a domestic student at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington visited India as part of her scholarship experience.
Aria Ngārimu at the Taj Mahal in Agra, India during her scholarship experience. Photo credit: Aria Ngārimu.
In her address, Aria aptly used an Indian folk tale of five blind men attempting to describe an elephant that they had encountered for the first time to highlight how individual perspectives can be wildly different yet equally accurate. Her speech was a powerful reminder of the need to be open to points of view different from our own.
International representative of the University of Otago Students' Association, Ibuki Nishida (Japan), offered a challenge to the sector to remember that every international student has a story and the importance of staying connected to their experience and story while they were in the country.
Ibuki Nishida laid a wero for the sector to remember that every student has a story.
“Don’t forget about those of us that are already here. I challenge you to not set a “finish line”, but instead learn from, and be a part of, each student’s ongoing story while we are here, that we can take to our loved ones to inspire them back home.
“Do not underestimate the power of word-of-mouth. When looking at growth, it might be one of the most important. And the way you tap into that, is to make sure students have a great experience while they’re here too. And remember that each international student is a story waiting to be told. So help us make it one for the books,” Ibuki said.
Albert Lu spoke about the differences in school life in his native Taiwan and New Zealand and what he likes about studying in Wellington.
Albert Lu (Taiwan), a Year 11 student at Wellington High School, noted the differences in life in Taiwan and New Zealand as he spoke about his experience in New Zealand.
Albert spoke about the NCEA curriculum providing an opportunity to students to enjoy a good balanced lifestyle, how confidence was the key to settling into life in New Zealand and importantly, ‘another way to improve language faster is to hang out with friends whose first language is not my first language’. Albert does this through joining student groups, attending church and generally being proactive about life here in New Zealand.
“Everyone is friendly, I love it,” Albert said.
*Wero: In this context, a wero is a traditional Māori challenge, performed by Māori warriors at a pōwhiri to test the intentions of visitors – by wielding weapons and laying down the challenge, with a token, such as a small branch for visitors to pick up and show they come in peace. Wero can also be used to convey a 'challenge' in other settings besides the traditional usage.
-
Sharing the international student experience
In August, ENZ and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade brought together 30 international tertiary students representing all ten ASEAN countries, and ten New Zealand students who had participated in the Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia Understanding South East Asia programme. The purpose? To celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and ASEAN by strengthening connections among students, and to provide the students with a platform for sharing their views on the international student experience in New Zealand.
Over 100 nominations were received from a range of New Zealand’s universities, institutes of technology and polytechnics, and private training establishments for students from ASEAN countries to participate. Each nominating institution had at least one representative at the two-day programme in Wellington. Participating students were enrolled in a range of programmes from Level 4 certificates through to doctoral level.
Many of the nominating institutions created online media content around Student Voice and the students themselves set up a Facebook page especially for the event which attracted media attention both in New Zealand and overseas.
The students heard from industry experts on the importance of alumni networks, the value of a New Zealand education, and the importance of ASEAN-New Zealand links in business.
Lester Khoo from AUT University engaged the students on how a New Zealand education can launch careers in ASEAN, with one student responding:
“The launch pad was really useful and changed my perspective of being an ASEAN student. I used to think very selfishly about my own career not about the development of my country and other ASEAN countries. The launch pad makes me realize there might be something that I can do to improve my country and the relationship between New Zealand and ASEAN countries.”
In the key download session of Student Voice 2015, the students employed “Design Thinking” methodology to share their international student experiences and to think creatively together to reframe any challenges as opportunities.
There was lots of discussion around the quirkiness of New Zealand life which the students rated as very appealing. This included getting to understand and use Kiwi slang, and the relaxed and welcoming way everyone treats each other. Life in New Zealand is “sweet as”.
Integration in New Zealand was a topic that was very important to the students. They collaborated to develop a range of solutions to improve the integration process for international students in New Zealand. These included initiatives for New Zealand institutions but also advice for international students themselves. Some of the ideas for initiatives focused on campus events, and social media activity, to encourage an appreciation of cultures, and for international students to actively look for opportunities to engage with their New Zealand peers.
ENZ will be sharing further detail directly with the New Zealand institutions who engaged in Student Voice.
One student commented on the integration process by saying, “independence especially in a foreign country is a challenge, making it more difficult when homesickness strikes and adaptation is hard. But I think it’s all part of the process, because in a brighter perspective, New Zealand offers a wide opportunity to search for new paths in expressing yourself and adopting to different cultures and people.”
The students also listed some of their “top fives” on a range of topics.
Reasons for picking NZ as your study destination
-
Overseas graduates are inspirational and exceptional
-
Experience new things and independence
-
Higher quality of education
-
Financial support i.e. scholarships
-
To fulfil my fly fishing obsession
Things I hope my NZ education will provide for me
-
Change
-
Professional development
-
Friendship network
-
World class education
-
Personal development
Things that influenced my decision to study abroad
-
Safe, clean and student friendly environment
-
More job opportunities and linkages
-
Multicultural environment
-
State of the art technology and top notch quality of education system
Things that surprised me about NZ
-
You can take a banana to the exam room
-
Slang is the new English
-
You can banter with professors – no more ‘yes sir’
-
Four seasons in one day
-
Ethics approval is required for animal studies – even for mussels!
Things I would tell my friends about studying in NZ
-
Surprising kindness – a kiwi high school teacher decided to pay for my studies overnight
-
To see people go to school bare footed
-
NZ institutions offer a world class standard of education and you will definitely change as individuals to become a well-rounded person
-
Explore – do outdoor activities
-
The freedom of expression
Things I would say to recommend NZ to potential students
-
Come to one country and see the whole world
-
Number 1 place to experience study and witness the best of nature
-
The best place for study and family life
-
It is really safe here – 2nd safest county in the world. Low crime rate, Low accident rate.
-
Mixed religion – freedom to practice our beliefs
-
-
Funding round open for student wellbeing projects
The international student wellbeing strategy funding round 2018/19 is now open, with $750,000 of funding targeted at projects to improve the support and experience of international students in New Zealand.
The Ministry of Education is seeking Expressions of Interest on one-year projects that contribute to the outcomes of the International Student Wellbeing Strategy with a priority this year on safety and mental health support of international students
Each project can apply for up to a maximum of $150,000 funding.
Hayley Shields, ENZ’s Director Student Experience, encourages providers to apply for the second funding round.
“Wellbeing initiatives not only benefit international students, but also protect and enhance New Zealand’s reputation as a safe and welcoming study destination.
“While all students need wellbeing support services, international students – in a foreign country and culture, away from their support networks at home – can encounter additional challenges.
Applications close 24 August, with successful projects announced in November.
For more information, including how to apply, click here.
A list of previous projects from the 2017/18 round can be found here.
-
Employers embrace influence of international students
These employers know that, along with their skills, the international graduates bring rich cultural context, a fresh perspective, an innovative mindset, and a solid work ethic to the office each day.
Assurity Consulting, a New Zealand-owned digital delivery services consultancy, has been hiring international students for their graduate programme almost since the company’s inception 17 years ago. Last year it won the International Student Workplace category at the Wellington International Student Excellence Awards.
“From very early on we took an approach of inclusive selection,” says Aron Chantelau, General Manager, People and Capability. “We wanted to find people whose values aligned with ours instead of simply trying to select based on people’s background and whether or not they went to Uni.”
Assurity has also partnered with Wellington NZ’s Employer Connect programme, established to provide insights into the business environment and networking opportunities for graduating international students; and the Work Ready programme, offering support on CV writing, cover letters, and what to expect from the hiring process.
“For the students, it is an opportunity to build their own network in a place where that might not otherwise be easy. For our staff, they get to connect with new people outside the industry and learn about the challenges the international students face, which gives them greater perspective.”
Aron says the students who attend both programmes are engaged, good at taking feedback, and highly motivated to start their careers.
Learning from each other
For Assurity, employing international graduates is about much more than filling jobs in the tech sector. “Our international graduates bring diversity of thought to our teams, which benefits our clients,” Aron says. “They also bring innovation, introducing new ideas and fresh perspectives which has led us over the years to try new things. And, culturally, it makes for an enjoyable workplace because there’s lots to learn from each other.”
He acknowledges there can be challenges, especially for students with English as a second or third language but says it’s all about providing the right structure and level of support. “We have a People Lead in all our teams. That role can be about supporting career progression, but it can also involve pastoral care - understanding what challenges that person is facing and helping to mitigate them.”
In Southland, Blue River Dairy is another company which recognises the value which international student graduates bring to their business. Since 2018, Blue River has hired more than 30 international students from the Southland Institute of Technology (SIT) and other institutions.
“The culture within an organisation is so important. Hiring only for skills is short-sighted,” says People and Capability Manager Abbigail Surridge. “With many of the international students that we have hired, we’ve been able to harness their life experience, dynamic exposure, and untapped potential as they have grown in their roles.”
“Diversity adds value to our organisation, by introducing different ways of thinking and problem-solving. When we collaborate, those differences help to create success.”
Jacky Shen arrived at SIT from Beijing in 2017 to study for his graduate diploma in Information Technology (IT). He already had a Master’s degree in Communication and Information Systems but wanted to better understand the New Zealand tech environment. He is now a software engineer at Blue River, leading a team of three.
Not only does the company benefit from Jacky’s technical skills, but also his language skills. “We have a number of Chinese suppliers, so I can speak to them easily and provide quick solutions for them,” he says. “Many companies want applicants to have local experience, but Blue Dairy allowed me to gain that experience on the job. It’s been a great opportunity.”
Economic and cultural influence
He believes that international students bring real value to the workplace. “We come with good technical skills, but we also contribute to the economy and to the cultural diversity of the country. It’s a win-win.”
Aron Chantelau says the international students who work in New Zealand have a bright future, whether here or overseas.
“They make a huge difference to our economy, both in terms of digital outcomes for New Zealand but also improving the quality of life here through the work they do,” he says. “Some of them will move overseas but if they’ve had a good experience here, they will become ambassadors for New Zealand.
“It’s great to be part of their journeys.”
-
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.
-
Immigration New Zealand update
Pathway visa pilot extension
With a significant amount of change happening during the second half of this year, INZ has not been able to sufficiently advance the development of the pathway student visa policy.
As a result, the existing pathway student visa pilot will be extended to 30 April 2019. This extension will come into effect on 26 November 2018, along with a number of other scheduled immigration changes.
Celia says this means all current pilot participants will be able to continue offering pathway student visas, and pathway student visa applications will continue to be accepted up until 30 April 2019.
“We have taken on board the feedback we have received during the consultation with the education sector. We will continue to work on reviewing the pathway student visa into 2019 and we are extending the pilot to allow for this. The education peak sector bodies will be informed and involved throughout this process” says Celia.
As part of the extension, INZ will also make the following improvements on 26 November 2018:
- A dedicated online pathway student visa application form, including the ability to enter up to three programmes of study and education providers
- One eVisa approval letter that includes the details of each programme of study (including the start and end dates)
- Enhanced guidelines on the INZ website for pathway student visa applicants
- Enhanced guidelines and training for Immigration New Zealand staff processing pathway student visas.
Please note: no new providers will be added in for this extension. Entry criteria for providers will be part of the work being done early next year.
Post-study work visa changes come into effect
In August 2018, the Government announced changes to the post-study work visa policy to ensure that post-study pathways for international students are fit for purpose. These changes come into effect on 26 November 2018.
Transitional provisions will be introduced to ensure students who were studying or had applied for a student visa as at 8 August 2018 will not be affected by the changes.
Visit the INZ website for further information, including an FAQ document about the changes.
-
Rise in international students rating New Zealand experience positively
In the 2024 International Student Experience Survey, students lifted their positive rating of their experience to 86 percent, two percent higher than the previous year.
In addition, the number of students who rated their experience as “excellent” lifted eight percent to 41 percent.
The results were announced today at the international education sector conference, NZIEC KI TUA, which was organised by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ).
Commenting on the survey results, ENZ Acting Chief Executive Dr Linda Sissons said the results demonstrate the high quality of the New Zealand education experience both inside and outside the classroom.
“That we have a significant increase in the number of students rating their overall New Zealand experience as excellent is something to be celebrated. The results are a reassuring testament to the ongoing recovery of the sector and our ability to deliver international students what they highly value in a study destination.
“We are delighted to see how positive students are about the people they meet and connections they form in New Zealand. This speaks strongly to the enriching ties these students will have to our country in the long run, and how we will benefit and learn from each other,” Dr Sissons said.
2024 sees the highest proportion of international students (41 percent) rating their overall New Zealand experience as ‘excellent’, up from 33 percent in 2023. This proportion is higher than any of the previous three surveys undertaken. This year also includes a much larger sample of 6,431 students compared to 4,755 students last year.
Students were most positive about the people and connections they experienced in New Zealand (90%), followed by education experience (87%), making study arrangements (87%), arrival and orientation (85%), and living experience (83%).
Students also positively rated their experience using an education agent, particularly their agent’s knowledge of their education provider’s application process (84%), New Zealand application options (81%) and how using an education agent reduced the time taken to complete their application (79%).
For further information:
Visit Tableau Public to access the data sets (login required) - International Student Experience Survey 2024 | Tableau Public
Visit ENZ's Intellilab for the full report - International Student Experience Survey 2024 Report | ENZ IntelliLab
Or contact:
Sai Raje | Senior Communications Advisor, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao
+64 21 479 649
Notes to Editors:
About the New Zealand International Student Experience Survey 2024
The New Zealand International Student Experience Survey aims to better understand the overall student experience for international students enrolled with New Zealand education providers as well as those who have recently completed their studies. The survey also aims to understand where improvements can be made to enhance the international student experience.
International students across all sectors and all stages of the student journey were invited to participate in this online survey. Fieldwork for this survey was conducted from 10 May to 4 June 2024 and included 6,431 respondents representing over 100 nationalities.
About Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) https://www.enz.govt.nz/
ENZ is the government agency dedicated to helping Aotearoa New Zealand realise the social, cultural, and economic benefits of international education. Our role is to promote New Zealand as a high-quality education destination offering excellent education and student experiences and to encourage New Zealand students to study overseas.
With approximately 105 staff in 16 locations around the world, ENZ works closely with New Zealand’s diverse education sector which includes schools, English language providers, Private Training Establishments, Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (Te Pūkenga), and universities. Internationally, we work with a range of education stakeholders, including government agencies and education providers to identify and encourage sustainable growth opportunities for New Zealand’s education sector.
-
Hong Kong student wins Wellington award for unstinting community service
The Year 12 student from Wellington Girls’ College has been named a winner at the annual Wellington International Student Excellence Awards for her contribution to the city’s international student community and her tireless community service.
She was among a group of 24 high-achieving secondary and tertiary international students recognised at the event for excelling academically, in the arts, sport, community, or online.
As the only child of a teacher and a primary school assistant, Jasmine came to New Zealand in November 2019 to complete her education. Leaving behind a competitive school environment, and a tense and complex political environment, she arrived in Wellington ready to embrace the open and culturally diverse environment she found herself in.
Jasmine says that she had always wanted to get involved in community activities, but until arriving in New Zealand she lacked both the confidence and the opportunities.
“As an international student here, I have been given so many opportunities. I want to treasure all of them and get involved.”
Jasmine quickly understood the value of participation and leadership.
“Arriving in a new country where you don’t know anyone can be a lonely experience, and it’s easy to just hang out with people from your own country, but I have made great friends, both from New Zealand and around the world, and gained support through the organisations I’m involved with.”
From helping to reinvigorate the International Club at school, Jasmine went on to be a key player in the establishment of the Wellington International Students’ Association, which not only connects international students across city schools, but also seeks to build relationships between domestic and international students.
Domestic and international students learn from each other
She believes there is much that domestic students stand to learn from international students.
“They get to see a perspective from another part of the world. Coming here to study has allowed me to immerse myself in New Zealand's culture and learn far more about the country than I would if I was a tourist.
“I’m sure the same applies to New Zealand students who haven’t had the opportunity for exchanges or travel. Through encouraging domestic students to get involved in our events we have built stronger connections.”
But Jasmine hasn’t stopped there. From Mary Potter Hospice to Conservation Volunteers New Zealand to the Student Volunteer Army (SVA), she has put in the mahi. She recently earned her SVA Silver Service Award pin for clocking up more than 250 volunteer hours working to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Taking her community service to the next level, Jasmine has been selected to represent Wellington Girls’ College in the National Ambassador programme. She will join other like-minded students from around the country working to connect, support, and empower international students.
All of this while juggling studies, sport, mentoring, and music. However, she insists that she has gained more from her community service than she has given.
Volunteering builds skills and network
“Volunteering gave me the opportunity to get out there and build a strong network with experienced people. I’ve gained important inter-personal skills like customer service and communications, and I’ve also learned a lot about New Zealand culture.”
Jasmine says being an international student in New Zealand has also allowed her to appreciate some of the important issues which other communities, such as the LGBTQIA, face.
“I appreciate the inclusiveness towards gender minorities here. In Asia, people are much more reserved about their beliefs and opinions but here we can have open discussions and everyone can be passionate about sharing their thoughts. It has had a powerful influence on me.”
Global citizen skills important
The global citizen skills acquired through international education are so important for the current generation of students heading off to Uni or into the workforce, Jasmine says.
“It’s important to know people from other parts of the world, understand some of the issues they face, and appreciate their culture and beliefs. Building relationships in-person is so much more valuable than learning from the internet.”
“The diversity of ethnicity and cultures, religious and political opinions here in New Zealand has really enhanced my worldview.”
Jasmine is delighted to have been recognised for her contribution to the community, and says her parents were thrilled when her name was announced at the awards ceremony. “Not only are they proud of my own achievements, but they feel that I am representing Hong Kong well in New Zealand.”
Jasmine’s parents were among 214 friends and family of recipients who joined the livestream of the awards ceremony from around the world.
As for the future, Jasmine is looking forward to completing Year 13 and being a member of the student executive next year, striving for the SVA Gold Award for volunteering, being a National Student Ambassador, and ultimately heading to the US to study Computer Science.
