News from International Department

International Student Leaders

This year, we have seven international student leaders who have been supporting our students and the International Department since the orientation at the beginning of the school year.

At international student assemblies, our leaders share important notices relevant to international students and also present a “Growth Story” speech, where they reflect on and share their experiences at Western Springs College.

Here are two of our leaders’ growth stories:

Huixin (Sebrina) Zhang from China

My name is Sebrina, and I am from Guangzhou, China. I have been studying at Western Springs College for two years and I am now in Year 13, the final year of high school in New Zealand. After graduation, I hope to attend one of the top universities in New Zealand or possibly in another English-speaking country.

My family and I chose Western Springs College after visiting several schools in Auckland. We were impressed by its strong academic reputation, convenient location, supportive teachers and International Office staff, and the modern campus that feels like a small university. I also really like the wide range of subjects offered, such as Dance, Music, Art, and Technology, in addition to traditional subjects like Maths, English, and Science.

During my time here, I have grown a lot. I have become more independent, adapted to a new learning environment, and built great relationships with my homestay family, classmates, teachers, and other international students. I also enjoy that creative subjects like Dance and Food Technology are valued just as much as academic subjects. 

In Business Studies, for example, we even ran a real small business and sold our products at a local market. I have also found many things about learning here very interesting. For example, at this school, the Dance, Food Technology and Business subjects I take are considered just as important as my other subjects of Maths, English, and Science. 

In my Business Studies class, we not only learn how to plan a business, but we also run a real small business with our class groups and sell our stuff at a local market. Through my learning experiences at Western Springs College, I have learned how to learn better and manage my time better, and how to live a balanced life between academic studies, activities, and leadership opportunities. If I could give some advice to new students who want to study overseas, I would encourage them to be ambitious and aim to become confident global citizens. You may need to work hard, or even harder, because you will be learning everything in English instead of Chinese. However, many things are not as difficult as they first seem, and much of what you learn can easily connect to the knowledge you already learned in China.

Another important tip is to try your best to connect with people around you—at home, at school, and in the community—and to develop your thinking skills, planning skills, and people skills. This will help you grow into a happy, confident, and positive person. In the future, you might want to become a scientist, an engineer, a lawyer, or an artist, a musician, and a dancer. It is very important to explore what you enjoy and what interests you. The subjects you study at a New Zealand high school can help you discover your passions, connect them to your future career path, and help you become the best version of yourself.

Dinare (Dina) Haimiti from China

My name is Dina Haimiti, and I am one of the international students at Western Springs College. I originally come from Ürümqi in Xinjiang, China. I studied at another high school in Auckland for one year before moving to Western Springs College two years ago. I am now in Year 13, my final year of high school, and I will go to university next year.

Here, in addition to subjects like Maths, English, and Science, I was able to study Art, Design, and Technologies. Over time, I discovered how much I enjoy designing and creating, which inspired my goal to study architecture in the future. Reaching this point — having a clearer goal and becoming a more confident and unique person — took time and courage. 

When I first started learning Art, I often thought about what other people would like to see. I chose topics that sounded impressive or ideas that I thought would look good to others. I kept asking myself, “Will people like it?” or “Will it look good in other people’s eyes?” Then one day, when I was deciding on a theme for my project, my teacher said something very simple but very powerful: “Do what you like.” The more I thought about what my teacher said, the more it changed the way I approached my work. Instead of thinking about others first, I began asking myself: “What do I want to create?” and “How can I make my ideas better?” My work became more honest and more reflective of my own ideas. In the end, it became more unique and much more enjoyable — both for me and for others.

I think this is something very special about studying at Western Springs College. Teachers here don’t just teach you to achieve good grades. They really try to understand who you are, guide you to think critically, explore your interests and potential, and express your ideas in your own way. At the same time, you are encouraged to work independently and also collaborate with others. 

If I could share two tips with students who are thinking about studying overseas, they would be these. First, don’t be afraid to explore what you truly enjoy. When you are doing something you love, you can discover your best potential, and learning becomes much easier and more enjoyable. Second, value your background and work hard on your English communication skills. Being bilingual or even trilingual will open many opportunities for your future.

Overseas Education Agent Visits

From time to time, the International Department hosts international education agents, giving them the opportunity to learn more about our school. As interest in high school education in New Zealand continues to grow, we are seeing increasing enquiries from overseas students.

Recently, we hosted agents from Vietnam, Japan, Italy, the Czech Republic, Argentina, and China. They had the opportunity to join a school tour and speak with our students, gaining firsthand insight into student life at Springs. The agents were impressed by the high-quality care we provide, as well as our innovative and supportive learning environment.