The International Schooling Experience
I think international students deserve more recognition. For many of us, it’s our first time moving away from family, a first step into adulthood. It’s an experience that demands bravery and resilience, especially when you realise your mum won’t come with you to doctor’s appointments any more. Packing for it is even more stressful, with […]
Across the Ocean
Imagine packing up everything you’ve ever known, getting on a boat with your mother and eleven siblings, then sailing over fourteen thousand kilometres. One quick stop, and then you’re on another boat trip around fifteen hundred kilometres long before you end up here in New Zealand, which might as well be a whole new world. […]
You call yourself a Kiwi
Te Paea Parengaio Maurirere Parliament just made it legal to kill protected wildlife. Last week, the government rushed the Wildlife (Authorisation) Amendment Bill through under urgency. It was a direct response to High Court rulings that found the director-general of conservation(DOC) had unlawfully issued permits to kill or disturb protected species. Within days, it became […]
Say My Name
It goes without saying that when you have a ‘unique’, or really, non-Western name, you are probably familiar with the inevitable pause before someone says your name. For some, a name that is an important part of their identity and their whakapapa isn’t even something people bother to learn to pronounce. Below are some words […]
Diary of an International Kid
English I was born in Jakarta, Indonesia, into a uniquely diverse heritage. My mother is of Sundanese and Melanesian descent, while my father is a Singaporean of Chinese and Indian backgrounds. In Singapore, this multicultural race is often known as Peranakan or Eurasian. Throughout my life, I have lived in many countries, including Indonesia, Singapore, […]