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