21 August 2024 at 12:00 pm
International student speakers lay the wero at NZIEC KI TUA
Four international students shared insights for delegates about their experience in New Zealand at the conference plenary sessions.
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.
