Christchurch highlights regional education pathways

Attracting more international students to come to Canterbury for secondary school study and stay on for tertiary studies has been the key focus of a nine-month project by ChristchurchNZ and Christchurch Educated, with support from Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao. 

A series of education and career planning resources has been produced for school staff to help guide students along their study pathways. These resources, which are available as web pages, a downloadable pdf, and as printed booklets and activities, host important information and advice about tertiary study, while showcasing the three high-calibre public tertiary institutions in Christchurch. The response has been enthusiastic and International Directors at Canterbury secondary schools say they are already being used successfully to support current international students.  

“I used the resources with my Year 11s the other day. It was an outstanding exercise. I used the planner and had them all so focused,” says Colleen Steyn, Director of Middleton Grange School's International College. 

Video case studies are another essential marketing component of the study pathway project. The stories feature three young Chinese students talking about their education journeys, and why they love living and studying in Christchurch.  All three moved to the city in their mid-teens and discovered the Kiwi lifestyle and culture was the right fit for them.   

Caroline Su spoke little English when she arrived as a 15-year-old, nine years ago, and now she is helping Christchurch grow, through an exciting new role focussed on commercial renovation.   

“The construction industry probably wouldn’t have been a possible pathway for me if I had stayed in China. The more self-directed style of learning here let me change my major when I discovered I wanted to be in construction. I wouldn’t have done that in China,” Caroline says.  

Stella Liu followed her passion as an early childhood teacher in Christchurch, while Quan Zhou is in his second year studying towards a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Lincoln University. He is looking forward to starting his career and with Canterbury’s strong agritech sector, Quan is confident this will lead to a wide range of career options. 

The project also launched an initiative to further strengthen relationships between tertiary providers Ara Institute of Canterbury, Lincoln University, and the University of Canterbury.  Each hosted a familiarisation event for international school staff and included an opportunity to meet with alumni and current students. The well-attended events received positive feedback and were a valuable experience for schools as well as the tertiary providers. 

Stefi Porter, International Education Partnership Manager at ChristchurchNZ, says the project has opened doors to new conversations and collaboration between Christchurch Educated providers. 

“This project has been a great opportunity to work together as a region to build back up after the challenges of the last two years.”  

The project complements the strong Christchurch Educated community and will support the sector to build back collaboratively and more sustainably.