I’m Nana, your international officer for 2009. I represent all the international students at Vic, and it is my job to advocate on behalf of international students, to work on projects that improve service, equity and support for international students.
If you are a new international student and attended the orientation sessions, you may have seen me already. Yes! I’m just a normal international student as you are. Feel a little bit in common? It is my third year in NZ, if I can live so well, you can only live in a better life than me. So don’t panic about the different life here, you are just not familiar with it, one day you will live like a fish in the ocean.
As the international officer, I am concerning about all the issues regarding international students. Like the quality of accommodation, equity on campus, culture shocks and so on. I chair the International Students’ Council (ISC), which is a representative of all the international students at Vic. I will be working with Vic international, the Counseling Service, and Students Learning Support through some joint projects to improve support for international students.
Also, this year I will keep working on the International Students Guide, which was envisioned by the 2007 International Officer. The guide is aiming at providing the information about services that VUW and VUWSA provided in different languages and giving new international students a quick path to get used to uni life.
I encourage international students to join some clubs or rep groups. Instead of being a bookworm, participate in some clubs will enrich your experience and make more friends. It is a good way to get ride of stress that most new students, especially international students, are facing. Do remember ISC, the International Students’ Council, which is ideally built up for you. We organize heaps of activities for you, like karoke, bowling night and international week. The Initial General Meeting is on 26th March; mark that day on your diary! Come to our IGM, and have free pizzas, making new friends and the most important thing: vote for your executives! If you are interested in being an executive member in ISC, please don’t hesitate to contact me: international.officer@vuwsa.org.nz. I’m looking forward to hear from you!
Nana Wu, International Officer