New Zealand Welcomes International Students
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Throughout New Zealand, International Students will be being welcomed into their new communities through a variety of civic welcomes and events on Thursday and Friday. Mayoral greetings, traditional ceremonies and hospitality will be in abundance as regions gear up to host thousands of students from offshore for the coming academic year.
‘International Students are a vital part of our education system and our economy’ says Robert Stevens, Chief Executive of Education New Zealand. ‘They have come a long way to be here, and have made a substantial investment. I am delighted that our regions and communities are making great efforts to welcome these students, and acknowledge the mutual benefit that both students and communities get from this great global influx into our institutions’.
Regions throughout New Zealand have co-operated to undertake welcoming activities on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th of March. The aim is to both make the students feel at ease in their new temporary country, and to highlight to the community the scale and importance of international education activity to all New Zealand.
‘International education is not just about dollars, although the $2billion worth of business is very welcome’ says Robert Stevens. ‘It is about raising the academic standards in our own institutions by exposing them to some of the world’s brightest students; it is about giving our own students the opportunity to experience different cultures; it is about our overseas students becoming ambassadors for New Zealand as they progress their careers back home and it is about the wider community sharing in the experience whether it be through homestays, greater business opportunities or the chance to enjoy the social diversity that we gain from students from over 160 different countries.’
‘I congratulate all those in the regions who have worked so hard to make our international students feel at home, and I urge all New Zealand to enjoy the success story that is international education’ concludes Robert Stevens.
Palmerston North International Student Welcome
Date: Thursday 9 March, 4pm-6pm
Venue: Palmerston North Convention Centre
Format: Mayor will formally welcome international students, followed by a Kappa Hakka group. Senior students will speak about their experience. Students will be given “goodie bagsâ€.
For more information contact Rossana Couto, email: rossana@visionmanawatu.org.nz.
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