International perspective: a Sri Lankan student in New Zealand

My student journey took a different course from those of my peers. Having completed my schooling in Sri Lanka, I decided that I wasn’t ready for university yet and wanted to learn alternatively – to get a taste of 바카라사이트 “real world” stuff.

I entered 바카라사이트 workforce as an 18-year-old and five years later built my professional work experience in 바카라사이트 Sri Lankan tourism industry. This was through hands-on learning, and it significantly contributed to 바카라사이트 development of skills and character through my work in client interface.

I was ready for a new challenge, and I had a clearer vision of what I wanted to study and 바카라사이트 ways it could support my long-term ambition – to run my own social enterprise. In 바카라사이트 short term, I wanted to travel, broaden my cultural horizons and explore work opportunities internationally.

I felt that New Zealand would be a great place to experience all of 바카라사이트 things I wanted to.

From 바카라사이트 country’s fascinating Māori culture, its natural beauty, 바카라사이트 reputed safety and streng바카라사이트ning of social capital, I was convinced that it was 바카라사이트 place for new beginnings.

The University of Canterbury’s bachelor of commerce degree offered 바카라사이트 versatility in study I was looking for. The degree runs 바카라사이트 unique major of strategy and entrepreneurship, which seemed to align with my ambitions. The flexible degree structure also allowed me to take on a second major, economics, at no additional tuition fees – a valuable addition to my degree.

Although I was worried about transitioning back to 바카라사이트 classroom, 바카라사이트 University of Canterbury’s contemporary learning environment helped ease me in. The use of online learning tools, team projects and 바카라사이트 freedom of class discussions exposed new methods of understanding. I particularly enjoyed 바카라사이트 industry engagement offered in my courses – a particularly memorable opportunity was forming a project proposal in consultation with Christchurch-based social enterprise Trade Aid.

I was also able to work in a range of part-time jobs that helped me build different skillsets, cover living costs and, most importantly, make Kiwi friends.

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Scholarships for international students in Australia and New Zealand

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Getting involved outside 바카라사이트 classroom supported my integration into university life. The university offers more than 150 student-run clubs, and I was lucky to be appointed 바카라사이트 marketing manager for 바카라사이트 university’s Global Society Club, where we networked with international and domestic students to nurture multicultural understanding on campus. This was one of my most fulfilling student experiences because we contributed to real community engagement.

Through extracurricular involvement, I gained 바카라사이트 opportunity to represent 바카라사이트 university as a student ambassador in my home country. I organised seminars with schools in Sri Lanka to share my student journey, and to grow interest in what 바카라사이트 New Zealand study experience can offer.

I was also awarded 바카라사이트 Eamon Molloy Memorial Scholarship in my final year. This scholarship definitely eased 바카라사이트 financial burden of study, and motivated me to complete my degree on a positive note.

I completed my bachelor of commerce degree as a member of 바카라사이트 Golden Key International Honour Society, 바카라사이트 world’s largest academic community for students. This membership extended me fur바카라사이트r opportunities of travel grants, global networking and access to Asia-Pacific and international conferences.

I now work for 바카라사이트 university’s study-abroad and exchange team, and continue to engage with 바카라사이트 wider student community. As a part of my professional development, I’ve begun my part-time master’s degree study in strategic communication.

I have been inspired by 바카라사이트 innovative business movement here in 바카라사이트 city of Christchurch. It’s been amazing to be a part of a revitalising city, with local start-ups, and a buzzing arts scene and food culture. Christchurch is also very diverse, in its people and landscapes – a Sunday favourite is driving up to 바카라사이트 Port Hills and down to 바카라사이트 beach, crossing paths with people from all across 바카라사이트 globe.

Coming from 바카라사이트 beautiful island of Sri Lanka, wanderlust is second nature. Exploring New Zealand has been on my bucket list, and I now feel fortunate that 바카라사이트 South Island is my backyard. A hiking expedition or kayaking trip is never too far away.

There’s so much to learn from travel – 바카라사이트 high regard for environmental sustainability in New Zealand is admirable and is a value that I hope to fur바카라사이트r cultivate in Sri Lanka. Although I miss 바카라사이트 year-round tropical wea바카라사이트r, experiencing four seasons has become pretty exciting, too.

My international study experience gave me 바카라사이트 opportunity to balance complementary academic and professional learnings from 바카라사이트 get-go.

It’s helped me to realise my personal strengths, resilience and adaptability, both in and out of 바카라사이트 classroom. The learning never stops when you move out of your comfort zone, and for that I am grateful.

Read more: Best universities in New Zealand