I am grateful to have been an international student at Iona and feel I have been offered so many opportunites. 

"I am an international student from China, who studied in New Zealand at Iona College for five years. My years at Iona shaped me in every way to grow into a stronger, more independent young woman. Iona offers a large variety of courses for Year 7 to 13 students, which, after my graduation, I found many students from other schools had not had these options. For example, Iona offers variety for the creative minded students with Fashion Technology, Drama, and Design. In Year 9, most courses were compulsory so we had a chance to give all subjects a try before deciding which one is our passion. It is hugely important to try different courses before you choose your pathway and Iona offers this opportunity. From Year 11, many courses were taught in small class sizes giving students a more personalised experience. I found this extremely helpful. Students and teachers developed a strong bond and my teachers were able to work with me in a way that managed my workload. 

Teachers at Iona also encouraged learning opportunities to experience future pathways of each course. I was fortunate to go on trips with my Fashion Technology teacher and with my class to Wellington to watch the “World Of Wearable Art” performance. I also participated in Auckland Fashion Week which helped me hugely with my design work. The international department also encouraged me to become the best version of myself. When opportunities for leadership roles came up, the Director of International Students encouraged me to put my name forward for International Student Leader and Hastings Youth Council Representative. I think both leadership roles helped me with my personal growth.

Iona also offers a wide range of co-curricular options and programmes to look after students’ wellbeing and help students to explore their interest. Our Year 10 camp helped me develop my confidence and physical awareness, I learned to look after my feelings and my mind in mindfulness courses, I practiced my public speaking in speech lessons and participated in many sports and cultural activities including volleyball, netball and choir. These courses helped me to grow into the person I am now; Iona influenced me more than I imagined a school could.

If international students are looking for an in-depth experience overseas, I would highly recommend Iona College."

Priyanit Jindapadungrat (Chacha)

- A parent's perspective.  

“Iona was the right choice of school and Chacha excelled in all areas; academic, sporting, cultural and social. Initially, Chacha felt unfamiliar with the New Zealand culture, the English accent and the school's rules and regulations, but soon realised she could adapt quickly. She had good classmates and made many friends, including one who is now studying medicine also. She had a happy life at Iona College and particularly enjoyed the holidays when she stayed with her friends. Staying on a farm was a very memorable experience and one she would never have had the opportunity to enjoy if she had remained at home and studied in Thailand.

Teachers created a rich learning environment in the classroom and were very helpful and friendly, particularly Mr Marshall her Chemistry teacher and Mr Rayner her Physics teacher, who always helped her whenever she needed extra support. She developed confident public speaking skills which enabled her to make a positive impression when she was interviewed by Nottingham University before they accepted her as a student.

Mrs Edwards was a good advisor and helped her to find places for her to stay during holidays and a place for her to take IELTs exam, a compulsory exam when applying for the joint medical programme between Nottingham University and Srinakharinwirot University.

Thank you again to Iona College, the teachers and her friends."

Pornprasit and Vipavadee Jindapadungrat

Chacha is pictured celebrating her successes with her mother Vipavadee.

There is an Old Saying in China “Teamwork is strength”

At Iona, there are many opportunities to work together. In China, we just work by ourselves. It is good that at Iona we help each other, not just think about ourselves because when we grow up we can’t just work by ourselves, we must work with others.

Elsa Zhou Year 7, China