Reconnecting Selwyn with international agencies and students overseas

Last modified: 21 Nov 2022 2:52pm

Helping reconnect Selwyn schools with international students was the aim at an event supported by the Council earlier this month.

Directing managers from international agencies and staff from Selwyn’s high schools met for the Selwyn International Education Networking event, hosted by Mayor Sam Broughton. After two years on hold due to Covid, the event was an opportunity for networking and learning about the benefits of international students studying in Selwyn.

It was great to be able to host an event linking Selwyn’s education providers with international student agents, as our international student programme bounces back Mayor Sam says.

“Getting the programme up and running again brings considerable economic benefits for our district, as well as supporting the cultural diversity for youth in our community. It also provides opportunities for language growth and building our international relationships.”

Waseda Study Overseas Centre South Island Area Manager, Miki Furuse said she was hoping to make new connections and gather information to help recruit Japanese students.

“During Covid, we lost contact with the schools, but I am excited to start building relationships with them again. Students want to live in rural areas and the ski programmes are also really popular."

Rolleston College Deputy Principal, Pete Buyers says he made new connections and it was the start of some great opportunities.

“I really enjoyed seeing the pride we have in our region and what it has to offer anyone who lives here long or short term.”

In 2019 research done by New Zealand Education showed that the total economic value of students studying in New Zealand was $4.93 billion. While 55 percent of these students studied in Auckland, Canterbury had the second highest percentage of students in the country of 12 percent.