"EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN WHAT BOOKS OR PEOPLE HAVE DESCRIBED"

These are just some of the  words used by two current New Zealand ASEAN Scholarships[1] (NZ-AS) Awardees from Eastern Indonesia to describe their first impressions of New Zealand.  Jermi Haning, Director of BAPPEDA in Rote Ndao, NTT Province, is currently completing a PhD in Environmental Planning at Massey University, Palmerston North campus.  Cornelia Matani, a Lecturer Assistant at the School of Accounting at Cenderawasih University in Jayapura, is currently completing a Masters degree in Business Studies majoring in Accounting at Massey University's Auckland campus. Bhakti interviewed them recently to find out more about their experiences both in applying for a New Zealand ASEAN Scholarship as well living and studying in New Zealand.

Deciding where to study:  Each of the Awardees approached this differently. Because Cornelia was planning to do a Masters degree in accounting by research, she first surveyed all the universities in New Zealand that offered this programme and then identified those that offered a masters by research.

"I found that the University of Auckland, Massey University and Victoria University of Wellington all offered this option and are among the top 100 universities globally in this field. I chose to apply to both Victoria and Massey universities,  and finally my application was accepted by Massey University."

As Jermi was planning to study for a PhD, he took a different approach.  "Because I had to find lecturers who are experts in my area of study and who were willing to supervise my research, I initially tried to find a suitable supervisor rather than choosing the university first."

Facing initial challenges:  Both of them arrived in New Zealand during the summer, but were not expecting such cold temperatures at this time of year. "The moment I came out from the airport building, I felt the cold wind blowing hard and I couldn't sleep that first night with only a single blanket to keep me warm," Cornelia said.   Jermi found the best way to deal with the cold was to put on several layers of clothes. "My wife saw photos of me and said that the clothes made me look like an astronaut." 

Once at their universities, they also faced some challenges in adjusting to their new academic lives as well. For Jermi, the main challenge was learning to write concisely and properly in English, and he managed to improve his writing by taking advantage of the service provided by the Learning and Teaching Centre on his campus, which offered one hour of individual tutoring support each week. He also attended academic writing and research workshops that were sometimes held at the university.  Jermi's efforts were rewarded when he easily passed the two papers required in order to qualify for entry to his PhD programme.

For Cornelia, one of the biggest academic challenges was having to think and write more critically. "I was not that critical because it is not in my culture to question or argue my own point of view, but all my papers require me to be critical." To overcome this challenge, she read as much as she could on critical writing as well as attending workshops on campus designed to help students think more critically.  This effort paid off and she received an A+ in one of her presentations in class where she had to critique an accounting article.

Leisure:   Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is important for everyone, including NZ-AS Awardees, and New Zealand provides many opportunities for recreation. On weekends, Cornelia likes to visit nearby places, especially beaches. "Auckland has many beautiful beaches, similar to my hometown of Jayapura.  The difference is that the water is cold even in summer, but the beaches are perfectly safe, people are friendly and there are great public facilities."  Her most memorable trip was to visit Hobbiton Village not far from Auckland, where several Lord of the Rings movies were filmed. "It was easy to plan the trip by ourselves using the internet.  I went there with a friend and we travelled by bus. I was very impressed and could not stop taking pictures and enjoying the beautiful scenery of New Zealand."

As a PhD student, Jermi has found little time so far for activities other than studying, though he has joined the International Student's Association on campus  which has enabled him to join some activities, including a visit to the ski fields on Mt Ruapehu, as well as join cooking lessons.

Working while studying: The New Zealand ASEAN Scholarships programme permits Awardees to work up to 20 hours per week, provided this does not have a negative impact on their studies.  Cornelia has taken several part-time jobs so far, mostly tutoring other students who have to take courses in accounting. "I tutored an undergraduate student from Samoa twice a week for almost three months, and then I tutored a student from Papua New Guinea who I helped with her studies in business research twice a week. For these jobs, I was paid NZ$20 per hour.  My Professor also hired me as an assistant on a short training of trainers course for staff from Badan Pengawasan Keuangan dan Pembangunan (BKPK) who were on a study tour to New Zealand from Indonesia."

Jermi decided his first priority was to focus on study and meeting the entry requirements to his PhD programme.  He says he will consider working in future if the work relates to his research topic or academic skills. "As NZ-AS sets high academic standards for Awardees, study should be the first priority, while work is additional. However, it will provide valuable opportunities to learn and understand more about the life of New Zealanders."  

Bringing family to New Zealand:  Neither Cornelia or Jermi have family with them in New Zealand, though Jermi plans to bring his wife and children to New Zealand in early 2015.  He has already started to gather information regarding schools and day care possibilities in Palmerston North and there are several possibilities.  He has this advice for anyone planning to bring their family to New Zealand..." Learning from my first six months experience here, I believe it is much better that the families join the Awardees  later after they have  settled in and become better prepared for their families to join them." 

Jermi's final words of advice for those thinking of applying for a New Zealand ASEAN Scholarship?

"I believe that if an islander like me living in Rote can get a scholarship  to study in New Zealand, then those in the other parts of the country with better access to information can certainly do this as well. The keys are believing you can achieve it, making the effort and networking." Cornelia advises  those interested in applying that, "….if you are thinking of applying for a New Zealand ASEAN Scholarship, don't leave it to the last minute.  Actively seek out more information through the internet and social media as well as by contacting Alumni directly." 

The deadline for applications for a New Zealand ASEAN Scholarship for study starting next year is 30 April 2015. For more information and an application form, go to www.aid.govt.nz

[1] Previously known as New  Zealand ASEAN Scholars Awards.