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.

  

• Kathleen Cristiane Silva Dos Santos – Brazil

  When I arrived here Jen and Spring from the International department received me and were so kind. They explained everything about the school, and how the school works. All the teachers were kind, and they explained information to me slowly and carefully.

  Hastings Girls’ High School is an excellent school because all the people here want the students to be successful, healthy and happy. It’s a good place to think about our future because we have a counsellor, and she really wants to help us find ourselves. Classes can be chosen according to what we want for the future like visual arts, performing arts, science and technology.

  

• 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.