News from the International Department

Twenty-one new international students started with us this term and are now starting to settle into the new environment.  The International Department held a two-day orientation at the beginning of the term. They learned about a lot of new things such as school life at Western Springs College, living with a Kiwi homestay family and the school facilities including our new Ken Havill Centre for Learning.

While the new students are getting used to their new life at Western Springs College, our returning students are working hard in class after three weeks holiday and enjoying learning in the brand new building.  Recently, Eri Sugiyama, a Year 12 student from Japan, has performed as Del in the Year 12 Drama Production “The Judas Zoo”. Here is the story from her about her life at Western Springs College.

I have been studying at Western Springs College since the beginning of 2018.  I was planning to be here only for a year, but in the middle of last year, I decided to extend my study.  This year, I study Soft Material, Environmental Sustainability, Science, Advanced Maths, Drama and ESOL (English for speakers of other languages).  I enjoy my school life at Western Springs College as I can learn the subjects like Drama and Environmental Sustainability, which I like or am interested in but am not able to learn as a subject in Japan.  I also like that we have got opportunities to have discussions in class. Since English is not my first language, I am scared of making mistakes when speaking or am worried about saying something out of point in front of my classmates. So it is challenging to join the discussion and share my ideas in class.  But I feel good when I contribute my ideas, and it creates more discussion. I also like hanging out with my friends. I have made some Kiwi friends through my class, especially through my Drama class. In the future, I want to be involved in protecting wild animals by becoming a vet. Through my Drama class, I also got interested in acting and started to think that being an actress could be another option for my future path.  In terms of protecting wild animals, if I get involved in it as an actress, I think it can influence the public more easily, and a lot of people can be aware of what should be done to protect animals. Even if I get engaged with it as an actress, I want to have proper knowledge and take part in the hand-on activities myself, otherwise people won’t trust and support me. Learning Environmental Sustainability now is a very good step towards my future goal, and I am happy to have the opportunity at Western Springs College.