Past International Students

• Yimin Liu
  

  Alumna and Ara Institute of Canterbury Graduate

  Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health

  Postgraduate Diploma Osteopathy

  Hello everyone! I’m Yimin, an international student from Taiwan. I spent two years at HGHS and completed Year 12 and Year 13. 

  When I was 16 years old, I came to NZ alone to create a new chapter of my life. I was very shy at that time. The teachers and students in HGHS were super kind and supportive, especially those in the International Department Team. They continuously encouraged me to speak English, which made my journey of picking up English so much easier and faster.

  Academically, HGHS brought me a new version of academic learning. Teachers’ explanations of calculus, statistics, physics and chemistry were creative and passionate. This teaching style taught me how to learn things more efficiently, and I achieved academic awards at HGHS, including 1st in maths class, 2nd in physics, and excellence in chemistry. I also received a Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship (International) from Otago University.

  HGHS is culturally diverse, and learning there enabled me to broaden my perspective, enjoy personal growth, and enhance my communication skills. I gained cross-cultural experiences by trying different cuisines, learning Māori songs, and learning Samoan dances.

  Now, I am comfortable with diverse cultures and am more aware of intercultural differences, and I was also very honoured to be the international leader in 2021.

  I have now graduated from the Ara Institute in Canterbury with a Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health and a Postgraduate Diploma in Osteopathy. Undoubtedly, my time at HGHS made me more active, mature and confident, and I am very grateful for all the special bonds I made and developed at HGHS.

  

• Fernanda – Brazil
  

  Kia Ora, my name is Fernanda Stockler, I’m 16 years old and I’m a Brazilian exchange student. I did an exchange programme in New Zealand during the first five months of 2026, and during those months, I studied at Hastings Girls’ High School.

  From the beginning, I always received support from the International Director, my dear Jen; one of the most incredible people I’ve had the privilege of meeting. Besides her, the teachers and the school staff were always very kind, understanding, and welcoming. I built incredible friendships that made my experience even more magical, and that I’m sure I want to keep with me for life.

  Besides the school, what was very important during my stay in Hastings was my host family – simply put, people who arrived so suddenly and became a second family to me. Together with them, I was able to visit surreal places, like the Sky Tower in Auckland, Huka Falls in Taupo, and I was able to fulfill my dream of visiting Hobbiton. In addition to the incredible trips and places I visited, I was able to learn and develop my English with them. My host sisters, my host father, my host mom, and I always enjoyed talking and telling stories; and in the midst of that, talking about my life, my culture, and my country, I was able to develop my new language skills very well.

  I can say with conviction that these months away from home have transformed me. I gained a broader worldview, international experience, learned a new language, built new friendships, and, above all, I was able to get to know a little about this incredible country and the rich cultures that comprise it.

  I thank HGHS for welcoming me and for being part of this transformative experience in my life!

  

• Maria – Brazil
  

  Hello girls. I’m Maria, an international student from Brazil. I spent 6 months at HGHS in Year 11.

  Studying at HGHS was a fun and somewhat challenging experience, as we have a huge cultural diversity at the school, which is really cool because, in addition to learning about New Zealand culture, I also had the opportunity to learn a little about the cultures of other countries such as Samoa, Fiji, Cambodia, among others.

  With all this experience, I felt that the school not only helped me in my academic development but also positively influenced my personal development, where I learned more about myself and discovered that I am capable of going much further than I imagined. I had the support of welcoming teachers who were always willing to help when I needed it and sweet students who always encouraged me to do my best, who will be friends for life.

  I hope one day to be able to return to HGHS to encourage other girls to never give up on their dreams, because what I experienced at that school was once a dream for me. And as our Principal always says, “a Hastings Girls’ High School student can be anything she wants to be.” That phrase deeply resonated with me and is something I will carry with me forever.

  I was also fortunate to live with a wonderful host family. My three host brothers, whom I will miss dearly, were always kind and caring towards me. My host mom, in particular, took care of me like a daughter from day one. Every joke, every conversation, every hockey game, made me very happy, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to meet such incredible people and to learn so much from each of them.

  These six months taught me much more than just living in another country. They taught me independence, confidence, and to believe in myself. I will carry all these memories, lessons, and friendships with me for the rest of my life.

  

• Sophia – Philippines
  

  Kia ora, I am Sophia Mabalcon, and I was a Year 12 and 13 student at Hastings Girls’ High School. As I look back on my time at Hastings Girls’ High School, I am filled with gratitude for the experiences, opportunities, and support that shaped my journey as an international student.

  From the moment I arrived at HGHS, I was welcomed with kindness and encouragement. Moving to a new country and adapting to a different environment was both exciting and challenging, but the school community made the transition much easier. I would especially like to thank Jen, the Head of International, for her unwavering support throughout my time at school. She was always there whenever I had questions, concerns, or needed guidance. Her patience, understanding, and genuine care helped me navigate both school life and life in New Zealand, and I will always be grateful for everything she did for me.

  I am also thankful to all the teachers and staff who made HGHS such a supportive learning environment. Their dedication to students goes far beyond the classroom. Whenever a student struggled with a subject, they were always willing to give extra help, encouragement, and guidance. Their commitment to our success inspired me to work harder and believe in my own abilities.

  One of the most memorable parts of my experience was the friendships I built with students from different backgrounds, nationalities, and cultures. Despite our differences, everyone was incredibly welcoming and accepting.

  I am especially grateful for the opportunity to represent Hastings Girls’ High School and deliver a speech in front of international students and schools across Hawke’s Bay. It was both an honour and a privilege to be trusted with such a responsibility. That experience helped me grow in confidence and gave me memories that I will never forget.

  As a Filipino student living far from home, there were times when I experienced homesickness. Thankfully, I had the opportunity to meet fellow Filipinos at school who became a source of comfort and support. Together, we shared our culture with others and celebrated Filipino Week with the school community. Being able to showcase our traditions and connect with others through our culture made me feel proud of where I come from while also feeling at home at the school.

  Looking back, many of my achievements would not have been possible without the support of Hastings Girls’ High School. Passing my IELTS examination and achieving the NCEA level I needed were significant milestones in my educational journey. The encouragement, resources, and guidance provided by the school played a huge role in helping me reach these goals and prepare for my future.

  Today, I am back in the Philippines, enjoying time with my family and taking a well-deserved vacation. However, my journey with education is far from over. I am planning to return soon to continue my studies and enrol in Early Childhood Education, a path that I am excited to pursue.

  To everyone at Hastings Girls’ High School, thank you for believing in your students and for providing endless support toward their educational success. Thank you for creating a welcoming environment where students can grow academically, personally, and culturally. Hastings Girls’ High School will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunities, friendships, and experiences that I gained during my time there.

  Maraming Salamat, Hastings Girls’ High School.

  

• Jan Weitzing – Germany

  Last year in term three I came to the Hastings Girls’ High School. I had never experienced being in a girls’ school before. In Germany I attended a coeducational school. Also, a completely new experience to me was wearing a school uniform. At first everything was very confusing and I got lost a few times, but very quickly I got used to the school, the people and the different language. I always enjoyed the outings that we had with all the international students. We went to a chocolate factory, the Napier prison, we went bowling and visited the museum in Napier. I also really enjoyed the exit program in November.  We did Greenstone carving, bushwalks, surfing and so many other fun activities. At school I found friends. We had so much fun together just chatting in the breaks and sitting together at lunchtime.

  My host family is awesome. I have a Brazilian host sister and a wonderful host mom. Two cats are also part of my family. My host mom sometimes takes us out to see a bit more of New Zealand than just Hastings, and I also travelled around the South Island. I learned how to cook and improved my baking skills with the help of my host mother. She always supported me in what I was planning for my weekends and my holidays.

  My Year in New Zealand is an experience that I will never forget. I will miss so many people when I go back to Germany and definitely want to come back one day. Until then I keep all these amazing memories in my head and in my heart.

  

• Aoi Tano – Japan

  When I was in Japan, I really wanted to learn Māori culture. I saw pictures of Hastings Girls’ in their Kapa Haka uniform and wanted to wear it too, so I joined Kapa Haka. The first time I was nervous, but one of the girls helped me understand the meaning and went over things with me. She was really kind. We do games and activities together and it’s fun. It’s hard work but I am excited to be involved and I do my best. The sense of achievement is really good.

  We play softball every Saturday at the park. At first, I didn’t know the rules, and I couldn’t hit the ball but my teammates cheered me and it was fun. Teamwork is important and I made new friends.

  We went to Te Mata Peak and saw famous New Zealand birds that I had never seen before – it was amazing! I made a new friend who also likes music and dancing and we went to the Opera together and had such a good time. I’m happy to make good friendships here at Hastings Girls’. I’m very glad to come here.

  My goal of this study abroad is ‘Don’t give up’. I have many people who support me. We can see the international teacher any time if we have a problem. I also have my Akina teacher, the ESOL teacher and my lunch group friends. They are all so kind.