Student profiles

Adel

I am Adel Alghamdi from Saudi Arabia. I am here in New Zealand to study for a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering at The University of Waikato.

I finished the Foundation Studies and I found it a very important year to prepare myself to do the undergraduate studies. There are many differences between high school and university studies. For this reason, the Foundation Studies are very important for students to adjust themselves to the university studies. At Foundation Studies I learnt how I can manage my time, study for tests, do my assignments and how can I get high grades. Many students think that the Foundation year is just to get a pass for the university.

After my experience, I would like to advise the students who like to get high grades in the university studies to try to get the maximum benefit from the Foundation Studies.

Anne Koh (19 years old)

Anne Koh has said that when she first immigrated here to New Zealand "I didn't even know that 'Korea', in English, was my country". Nine years have passed since then, and now she is studying fulltime at the University of Waikato. Anne went to Peachgrove Intermediate School in Hamilton, then Rangitoto College in Auckland. In Auckland her English didn't seem to improve, and she believes this was because many of her friends at school were Korean. After leaving school, Anne prepared for the Ielts test and after a month was accepted into Auckland University of Technology (AUT).

When her family moved back to Hamilton, she decided to take the foundation course at Waikato University. Unfortunately, after studying only two months Anne had to go to Korea for family reasons with her mother. When she came back to NZ at the beginning of 2008 Anne started the foundation course again.

"When I started this course, I had a goal. My aim was to get into the degrees course after one semester of foundation. Therefore I applied for only one semester and studied really hard. I guess I studied all the time except when I am sleeping and eating. I ended up with straight A+ and proudly passed the interview to get into Education studies".

"I realised that if I try harder than my best to reach my goal, the goal will certainly be in my hands".

Although at times Anne wanted to give up because of coping with the workload, she feels that the Foundation Studies teachers were "really passionate and supportive" and "wanted their students to go on to the degrees after completing a year course".

"I was the girl who got told to give up on going to University in high school. But now I am studying at the Education department which is pretty hard and strict (especially when you're willing to go after only one semester) to get in. Anyone can do it. There was the time when I thought to myself that it is too late. But, for all these people who are thinking the same thing out there. When you say 'it is too late', that time is the just right moment for you to start."

Lamya

I am from Saudi Arabia. I came to NZ for a summer holiday and then my father liked NZ because safe and good for studying. So he suggested for me to study here. The good experiences in NZ — enjoyed studying at uni, meeting lots of people from different countries, being more independent, and learning more things about other cultures and other countries, being more open minded.

Experiences in FS — It was hard but it was good. Good for my studies in the future. I learnt how to manage my time, do my assignments, how to prepare for my tests and exams. I learnt that you have to ask for help. Doing a lot of laboratory work was a first for me and it help me to understand the subject more. Seminar presentations helped me to be more confident and creative. I have grown in the use of the English language and though I faced difficulties in reading and writing I learnt how to overcome them and now I feel more comfortable.

Advice: Work hard and do your assignments or any work you have do day by day don't put off for later. Learn how to manage your time. Always study hard because nothing is easy. And always be prepared for tests and exams. Make friends from your class. You will enjoy your time with them and they will help you if you don't know something. Don't feel shy to go and ask the teachers about anything

Best thing about Foundation Studies — Gives you the basics that you should know for your degree study.

Melissa

My name is Mellisa and I'm from Kenya which is in East Africa. I was born and grew up in the capital city, Nairobi. In the photo is me at home with our dog 'Puppy'! He's not a puppy though! After I completed my high school education, I wanted to study Computer Science and I wanted to do it abroad. I chose to study in New Zealand at the University of Waikato because it is world renowned for its excellence in Computer Science and its related studies. Before I could begin my degree course, I did my Foundation Studies at Pathways College. My experiences there were unforgettable. I met a lot of people from different parts of the world such as Arabia, China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia and China and was able to interact with all these different cultures. It was also easy to make new friends both from abroad and from New Zealand. This made it easier for me to adjust to my new surroundings.

I was able to improve my writing skills and get a better idea of what would be expected of me at the University level. The work, though sometimes rigorous, was enjoyable. Now, after the Foundation Studies, I feel I'm ready to tackle University life with both the social and academic skills that I have adopted.

Advice: I would advise anyone doing Foundation Studies to take it as a stepping stone to higher learning and to enjoy every minute of it because it is worth the ride.

Sean

For 17 years of my life I lived in Singapore, a multi-racial country that has more or less the same population as New Zealand, and yet has an area that is slightly smaller than Lake Taupo. My decision to study in the University of Waikato has enabled me to immerse myself in Kiwi culture, as well as benefit from the full range of facilities, from the efficient library to the lustrous green fields. The environment here is calm and serene; just conducive for studying. In addition, Foundation Studies has given me the valuable experience of interacting with people from other cultural backgrounds. It has certainly widened my perspective on life, and in the whole process, I have acquired self-confidence in all the things I do.

The best thing about Foundation Studies is the passion of the teachers. They are always there and all so helpful, whenever you need them, as well as being encouraging in all your endeavours.

Advice: " Ask and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you." Whenever you are in doubt, ask a teacher or ask a friend. If you need help, ASK. If you need tips for the exams, ASK. If you want answers, SEEK it. If you need to find a teacher, Knock on the door... If it is closed, EMAIL her.

I have not regretted my decision to study here. It is certainly one of the milestones in my life.