International Student Representative 2011
Privet! I am Ksenia Vistovskaya, the International Representative for 2011. I came to New Zealand from Sakhalin, Russia at the beginning of 2009. Many people ask me why I decided to move to New Zealand. One of the reasons was to gain an amazing life experience and the other one was to study and gain knowledge that wasn’t provided in my home country. This is applicable to every international student. I am currently studying photography, visual culture, graphics, classical studies and art design and plan to do design at university next year.
Learning English is another reason why international students enrol at Lynfield College. Some of them just know the basics and usually are very shy. It can be a tough and lonely time for them, as they do not have their friends and family to support them. However things get easier and there is a lot of help getting through this stage. International students really appreciate the chance to have a conversation with English speaking students so that they can improve their language and feel more a part of the community. There are many chances to get involved in school life. Last term, Lynfield College held its annual cultural day. So many international students got involved and joined diverse groups who shared their culture and delicious food with us. It was lovely to see that the French group was quite popular on that day -thanks to our only French student, Elodie! |
Ksusha receiving her leadership badge. |
A big thank you to all the students who reach out and make friends with us international students! You make our stay in New Zealand so much more enjoyable. I am also really grateful for our International Department staff, Ms Austin, Ms Foley, Mrs Way, Mrs Arnold and Ms Henricksen who take care of us and make things so much easier!
Harmandeep
Harmandeep studying hard. |
I am Harmandeep Singh Sodhi from the Punjab in India. I am currently in Year 12 and plan to study engineering at AUT when I complete high school. My favourite subjects at Lynfield are physics, chemistry, maths and English and I enjoy the practical way they are taught here. The teachers and students are friendly and have helped me a lot to settle in. The school environment is very good. My host family are very caring and helpful – they are just like my own family. Sandra and Sam in the homestay office have helped me find solutions to any problems I have had. Auckland city is very beautiful and a nice place to explore although sometimes it is a bit rainy.
The highlight so far for me has been participating in the cultural fashion show with the Indian Club during the week long multi-cultural festival held in Term 1. What a great experience! |
Esther
Esther Linn is from Yangon in Myanmar. She started at Lynfield in Year 9 and plans to eventually study medicine at university and become a doctor. Now in Year 10 it is not surprising her favourite subjects are maths and science and her science teacher is her favourite as he is good at teaching and makes learning fun. Esther enjoys the clean green environment, has made many friends and thinks Lynfield is safe and fun. “The international staff are kind and help us when we are upset or need help with our subjects.” |
Esther helping the Chinese Club.
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Christian
Christian in the IT Department. |
Christian Kutz is from Berlin and has come to Lynfield for a year. Christian was impressed with the variety of subjects he could choose from and his favourites are Year 12 photography and food technology. He has found the teachers and students to be friendly and welcoming. The NZ way of life is a lot more laid back and relaxed than in Germany and he has enjoyed meeting many different cultures and experiencing a wide variety of food. His host family have been friendly, welcoming and fun, and as Christian describes “just like a real family”.
During the school holidays Christian has taken the opportunity to see a lot of NZ and the highlight of these adventures was skydiving in Rotorua.
“The International Office really cares for us. It was the right choice to come to Lynfield College and if I could I would do it again. It is a lot of fun.” |
Sarah
Sarah Schluter is a 16 year old from Germany. She has been here since July 2010 will stay for a whole year. Sarah is in Year 12 and enjoys studying art, photography and hospitality. She is sadly counting down the days until she leaves.
“Now my time in New Zealand is nearly over and I know I’m going to miss New Zealand very much. The time has passed quickly. When I came here, of course I missed my family and friends very much, but then I got to know more and more people who made me feel better, everybody was so nice and welcoming towards me. My host family is really nice and I enjoy staying there. Up until the summer holidays I wasn’t homesick at all, but over Christmas and New Years I was a bit sad but still the summer holidays were good. I went on tour from Auckland down to Queenstown which was really fun and I also went away with my host family.
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Sarah in hospitality.
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This whole experience at Lynfield College has been an amazing life experience and I thank everybody that made it how it was. I know I’m going to miss everything very much, I enjoyed staying here. Thanks!
Matthew
Matthew doing research. |
Matthew Ng from Hong Kong plans to study law at university in HK or Auckland. He is in his second year at Lynfield and is currently in Year 12 and enjoys chemistry and biology. He thinks Lynfield provides a good environment for study and he like the spacious campus.
Matthew has been with his host family since he arrived. He thinks they are nice, loves their tasty food and appreciates being involved in family activities.
He enjoys the lifestyle in NZ as it is at a much slower pace than HK and there is a much better balance between the city and the natural environment. |
09 627 0600
admin@lynfield.school.nz