Waitomo tour excites Wintec International students
Besides classes and studying, students need to be reminded that there’s also fun and relaxation to be had. Tuvaluan scholarship student, Lisette Elisala reports on the latest trip.
Over twenty Wintec International and exchange students from the Pacific islands, Poland, China and India had a chance to explore and tour around the beautiful Waitomo region recently, including the glowworm caves.
Wintec’s International exchange and scholarships advisor, Thomas McDonald, said the main purpose of the trip, was for students to connect with each other and “to remind them that there are also fun and relaxing activities to be explored”.
The students visited the Marokopa Falls, Ruakuri Cave, Otorohanga Kiwi House and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
Papua New Guinea student, Molly Ketramo Mayang, said, she really enjoyed the trips to tour and explore more beautiful places in New Zealand. Mayang said, what really excited her was to see a real Kiwi bird for the first time.
McDonald said, it is important to the international student advisors’ team that the international students have a good time, meet other people and, broaden their networks as they showcase these amazing places in New Zealand.
Thomas McDonald is new to his role at Wintec. Prior to joining the international team, he worked for 9 years at the Manaaki space at the University of Waikato. He said, he wanted something new and was attracted to the scope of this new role and a new ‘green pasture’. He said, he knew it was perfect for him to bring his skills to Wintec.
McDonald said that this was his first tour with the international students, and it was a good time to interact with the students and to get to know them.
These trips are often organised by the team along with many other fun activities, events and workshops designed specifically for the international students.
He said, each semester will have something little different, but the ever-popular trips are to Hobbiton, BBQs in summer, Rotorua and other staples on the menu for those who has an appetite for a taste of something Kiwi.
The next trip for the international students is expected to be in September.
