Student diaries

Danhong Qu is studying a three-year Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science at The University of Auckland.

"When I saw the information about the course and Auckland I knew it was for me." The competitiveness of the tuition fees and New Zealand's reputation as a safe and secure destination for international students allayed any fears her parents had about her studying overseas.

The way the course is structured and taught has impressed Danhong, "the lecturers are very approachable, if something isn't clear they will take time to explain it to you" she says.

One of Danhong's most notable achievements has been her dramatic improvement in English. "Studying in English really makes you learn faster, I think this will be a major advantage for me in the future, being fluent in English is very important if you want to get ahead in China."

David put on hold his PhD studies in China when he was given the chance to come to The University of Auckland. "I'd been preparing to come to New Zealand for a long time, it was a chance I just didn't want to miss." A native of Jiang Xi Province, David worked as a software programmer before coming to New Zealand.

David is studying a Master of Engineering in Electronic and Electrical Engineering. His thesis topic is the reconstruction of three-dimensional objects from two-dimensional images.

While David has experienced few problems settling in he does have two pieces of advice for students wanting to study overseas. "The first is to prepare for language and the second to be prepared to learn to cook!"

David's biggest challenge to date has been adjusting to a different study mode and the different language. "In China if you do a thesis the supervisor gives you all kinds of assistance and guidance through your research, but I've found here and I've heard from others here you need to finish the process of research all by yourself. The guidance that is provided by the supervisor just gives you direction, but you need to finish the process by yourself."

The departure to New Zealand was soon and doubtfully I looked to my world map and I asked myself: "What have I done….???". New Zealand is really on the other side of the world and it is no exaggeration to say it is "Down Under" so squeezed on the one side of my world(map).

But as soon as I arrived I totally felt very well and realized that 6 wonderful months were waiting for me. And who wonders?!?! New Zealand moved right to the middle of the world map and I was just there!

So many times during my stay my doubtful expectations were changed into unforgettable positive experiences.

There was uni, with its really nice employees, which offers every help you can imagine. At no time I felt on my own or had open questions. You have a wide range of lectures and tutorials in every area you are interested in (e.x. presentation or computer courses). In the lecturers itself it was really relaxed, although you have a good amount of work… but you get used to it ;-)). You call the lecturers by their first names and they seem to be happy if you visit them in their consulting hours to ask questions or discuss with them.

Anyway, Kiwis[1] are a very friendly and open minded bunch of people who seems to internalize to give help and it is very easy to get in contact with them. Nevertheless at the beginning of my stay I was extremely surprised about their slang. But at least after the second time someone said "sweet as"[2] I assumed that he was not happy about my botty but more about the general situation.

Auckland has 1.3 million inhabitants- although you are wondering where all the people hide?!?!? I expected a thrilling city and arrived in a cosy one with cute districts where you can enjoy nice cafes and an "easy going" atmosphere. The crowd of the city you find at uni where it is to any time very busy and colourful because of heaps of different nationalities. It was as colourful in our group of international students. I was surprised how fast a close relationship and friendship was born and I'm sure that it will last for very long.

But the "real" New Zealand I rather met while travelling around the North and South Islands. I already imagined that the nature would be nice, but I was more than impressed by the beauty of the surroundings. Everything was more colourful and lush (especially the grass ;-)), I saw more sheep and cows than ever before, the sea seemed to be more wide, the walking trails more interesting and travelling on your own was so easy because of a well organised tourism.

I lived my dream in New Zealand and I'm happy for everyone who can take the opportunity to study down there.

[1]Kiwis: New Zealanders
[2]Sweet as: all right, cool, yeah!

Alex had heard a lot about New Zealand and had already made up his mind to come to New Zealand many years ago. "It was not until later that the idea came to me that I could study here and later see something of the country."

Alex is here under the terms of a reciprocal governmental agreement, which allows German postgraduate students to pay domestic tuition fees at postgraduate level. The 23 year old German is studying a Master of Engineering Studies in Electronic and Electrical Engineering.

Alex especially enjoys the practical component of his degree. "I feel it's a little bit harder because it's very practical. I have assignments that really mean I have to build, for example, a circuit. This is new for me, this wasn't such a large part of my studies in Germany. It's hard but it's interesting. I really feel that I learn a lot more this way."

"With the upcoming reforms and a strong revolution in the field of "food science" and "nutrition", making a place for yourself in the food industry was always a challenge in front of me. The willingness to be a part of the food and health industry was always my dream and to perceive my goals I needed skills and clear understanding of the norms and standards that govern the market of food industry. To convert my dreams to a reality New Zealand was the right place, as food industry is one of the ruling industries in NZ and The University of Auckland was the right one as it is located in the heart of the city. I decided to choose The University Of Auckland as the platform to my future.

I still remember the day when I first received the letter of placement from the University and since that day till date I have been provided with so much information about the campus, the faculties and the variety of courses available that it was suffice to curb my curiosity about the place. The teaching staff as well as the non-teaching faculty have been so friendly with the students, especially with us international students that I never felt the need to go and ask for any help from anyone who was not associated with the University. The best part about the University is that it implants practical skills in students, which help them to explore how the practical set up in the industry works and how to implement the theory into practical.

The orientation, which lasted a week, was of so much help for me because being an international student it gave me time to meet other students from different parts of the world and even gave me time to make friends.

So my admission to The University of Auckland not only gave me a platform of success but also broadened my horizon of knowledge and allowed me to adopt and grow with every experience and move ahead to make a path of success."

"Late 1999, back in India, was when I started giving serious thoughts to choosing the right University for myself. I was finishing my second year of computer engineering at the International Centre for Applied Sciences (technology twinning program) in Manipal, Karnataka. My parents were keen on sending me to a country which was safe, had its cultural values persevered, yet technologically advanced.

The engineering faculty's registrar, Mr. Keith Willson, from The University of Auckland was in India that year. We discussed the engineering degree offered by the university and I applied for the same.

It was really exciting when I was offered a place in the computer systems engineering program. The university sent me all sorts of information about the campus, the degree I was enrolled in, about Auckland and New Zealand in general. My accommodation in Auckland was sorted by the university while I was still in India, and my airport pick up was confirmed as well.

A very well planned international student's orientation, organized by the university, helped me in getting familiar with a totally new environment. The orientation included sight seeing, university's campus tour, live Maori cultural performances and much more.

During my degree, I had two on-campus jobs. I worked in the engineering school library and in one of the engineering school's computer labs, as a supervisor. The university has heaps of opportunities for students who are willing to learn.

The university runs a FutureGrad program at the student job search centre, which helps students and graduates find part time and full time jobs. I found a job, soon after completing my degree through FutureGrad.

Being a part of The University of Auckland has been a truly great experience. I am now working as a project coordinator with an e-learning company in Auckland. Upon securing a permanent job, I was granted a work permit almost immediately, and now my permanent residence in New Zealand has been approved too.

The staff at the university is very helpful and supportive. I have moved on now, but have total faith that if I need any help, I will be offered so, by people I know at the university. I still keep in touch with my employers from the university and go to their house for a little catch up and yummy dinners, of course. The university has a very friendly atmosphere around it. Auckland, in general, is a very accepting city. It is amazing to see that the traffic is diverted and roads are blocked, because Indians have decided to celebrate their most beloved festival, Diwali, right in the middle of the city. One can see so many non-Indian faces enjoying the festival as much as us.

I miss India a lot, but the unbelievable number of Indian restaurants, shops, Temples, Indian families, Indian students, Indian movie rental stores (my favourite hang out place over the weekend), make me feel very close to home."

Tatiana is studying a four year Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree at The University of Auckland.

"The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Auckland has a really good international reputation, the labs and the library are excellent" says Tatiana.

"I really like it here, the people are friendly and considerate, they even queue at the cinema" she muses. She feels that New Zealanders are very easy going and the pace of life helps her study.

"The University is very open toward overseas students, Kiwis accept people for what they are and I never feel discriminated against here."

Another facet which she admires about New Zealand is the natural environment, "I have travelled in the South Island and really loved it, it's unique seeing a mountain next to the sea, it's pretty unpolluted here."

A non-clinical course of study, the Master of Health Science provides students with understanding of the biological, social and behavioural bases of the western medical system. Now in her first year of a Masters in Public Health, Namjilmaa hopes the knowledge she gains from her study here can be put to good use in Mongolia. Namjilmaa is here on a scholarship from the Asian Development Bank.

She found out about The University of Auckland from the internet. She chose The University of Auckland because of the base of knowledge and to experience a different system of teaching.

After completing a Bachelor of Medicine from the National Medical University of Mongolia in her hometown of Ulan Bator, Namjilmaa worked as a medical doctor in the State Central Hospital in Mongolia for 6 months. For someone whose strengths and interests are in surgery, Namjilmaa's introduction to the non-clinical subjects of sociology and health policy, have been a challenge, but she has not been afraid to take this on with the help and support of her lecturers.

"Here the emphasis is more on independent study, there are lots of readings and it's your own choice as to whether you do them. It's a lot stricter in Mongolia and we are more dependant on the teachers, its quite a different system. I have to be more organised and responsible here."

Gaute is in his first year of a Master's degree in Environmental Law. "I heard about The University of Auckland from the Law faculty at the University of Bergen."

Gaute has always had a concern for the environment. "The course is interesting, and though there is a lot of work, I'm making good progress. Studying here is also about making progress in English, which I had not to practised since I was in College."

"The programme is very good, the classes are small which gives me the opportunity to have contact with the lecturers." One thing Gaute likes is that he can design his own degree. "I can choose subjects that I like and put them in my degree." The degree is interdisciplinary and the other students come with different experiences and backgrounds. Being the melting pot of the Pacific Region, Gaute finds that the multicultural mix of his classes will come in handy in later years.

"I had always wanted to go abroad and get that international experience, this is very attractive to employers." Gaute sees his studies leading him into a career in Environmental Law. "I feel my time at Auckland will bring me closer to this."

Kate is working on a PhD in Geology, having graduated from Durham University with an Honours degree in Geology and Geophysics. "I decided if I was going to do a PhD I wasn't going to stay in England, it was an opportunity to go and see another country more than anything else.

I applied to lots of universities, and I have to admit The University of Auckland offered me the right PhD. I knew New Zealand had a nice climate and The University offered a PhD that I really wanted to do." Kate is specialising in Geophysics, the thing that attracted her was the amount of fieldwork. "We do lots of fieldwork, that is why I wanted to do this PhD more than any of the others."

Katie finds the people at the Geology department very helpful. "You can go and knock on anyone's door and ask for their help and they'll sit down with you and talk to you. The University of Auckland is very similar to any university back home. It's got all the facilities you could ask for." Katie sees herself going into post-doctoral research after she has finished her PhD and eventually into lecturing.

Kim Wise is a Rotary exchange student spending a year at The University of Auckland as part of her American Masters degree course at Arizona State University in Phoenix, majoring in Audiology.

"I grew up next to a neighbour who was deaf. I didn't know this would lead me into audiology." Kim later volunteered at a local hospital and this then lead to the Audiology programme at Arizona State University.

"I had never been outside Arizona. This is my first international experience." Kim knew little about New Zealand when she started researching possible study destinations. "I was allowed to pick five universities where I might study Audiology."
So why did she decide to study at The University of Auckland? "The Master of Audiology programme is held in such high regard and people who finish usually have no trouble in finding employment."

"The Audiology course is held through the medical school and you have clinics, practical labs and lectures. The lab simulations are quite intensive and you have to stay on top of it and keep a sense of humour. Luckily the people on the course pull together to explain."

"It's a great foundation, just having the international travel experience and also having the chance to see things." Since arriving in New Zealand Kim has already managed to get some travelling done. "Everywhere you look there is something different." She recalls one experience when she went to Lake Taupo and watched someone scoop water out of the lake and drink, and that she says "I just could not believe.

Esther heard about New Zealand while studying in Australia. She chose The University of Auckland because it has a very good reputation.

Here on a NZODA Postgraduate Scholarship, Esther's research is on the reconstruction of curriculum areas formerly divided along gender lines and the reconstruction of gender participation within the Zimbabwean situation. Her study focuses on the evolution of Domestic Science into Home Economics.

Before starting her Master of Arts course majoring in Education, Esther worked as a secondary school teacher. She finds her classes much less formal than those at home. "Being able to address the lecturers on a first name basis means we can get a lot closer to them. The lectures are small, there is lots of personal contact with the lecturers."

Esther wants to use some of the teaching methods lecturers use here, particularly the way the lecturers interact with their students. "I also like the amount of reading material we get. Coming from a developing country you really need to use these resources when you get back home."