Life changing experiences for Whanganui students
Ateenager from Hong Kong has had a lifechanging experience as one of Whanganui’s Global Ambassadors.
As the only international student at Cullinane College during the Covid-19 pandemic, Parco Lam welcomed the opportunity to join the Global Ambassadors programme supported by Whanganui & Partners.
The pilot programme, funded by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao, aimed to provide leadership, mentoring and intercultural skills development for youth across six regions in New Zealand in 2022.
The ambassadors, comprised of local high-schoolers and international students, are involved in activities and community initiatives to facilitate strong cross-cultural relationships and create local champions for international education.
Many of the Whanganui Global Ambassadors cite the experience as being an opportunity to learn about different cultures and help welcome international students back to their regions.
Lam said the highlight of his three years in Whanganui was connecting with other young people and learning about different cultures as part of the Global Ambassadors
programme.
The 18-year-old is the fourth child from his extended family to attend Cullinane College as an international student, following three older cousins.
Along with being a part of the programme, Parco is also Cullinane’s International
Tuā kana, a role crafted to help international students feel welcomed on their arrival.
Parco is about to head back to Hong Kong for a year upon the completion of his studies.
“I’m going to spend time with my parents and family who I haven’t been able to see for three years because of Covid.”
He will then return to pursue his dreams of becoming a pilot at Whanganui’s International Commercial Pilot Academy. He has hopes to stay in New Zealand after completing his studies.
“I have loved studying and living in Whanganui, compared to Hong Kong it is much more suitable for a quiet life.
“Once you set foot in Whanganui, you feel like you belong here.”
Part of that belonging is thanks to the Global Ambassadors programme, which was an amazing experience benefitting both locals and international students, he said.
The Whanganui Global Ambassadors group comprised of five students across the region – including one other international student, from India, and three locals.
“It’s been a once-in-alifetime experience that I would recommend to anyone,” Parco says.
Being part of the Global Ambassadors group has created lots of educational opportunities for Parco.
He was recently part of a group of 40 local students to take part in a “hackathon” with a group of visiting Italian high school students. The hackathon, organised by Whanganui & Partners, aimed to help the students face the environmental challenges of the future by finding innovative solutions to protect nature and further its fundamental relationship with people. The three-day event was developed following an Italian educator’s chance encounter with “I Am”, the Te Awa Tupua exhibition of the New Zealand Pavilion at World Expo 2022 in Dubai. The exhibition was an immersive experience guiding visitors towards an understanding of Te Awa Tupua and the relationship Whanganui iwi hold with the river.
Lorenzo Micheli, from the Italian Ministry of Education, was fascinated by Whanganui River’s legal status as a living being deserving of the rights, protection and respect afforded to a person. The River Claims Settlement Act was signed into law in 2017 recognising Whanganui River as an entity in its own right, Te Awa Tupua.
In late August, Micheli led the 10 Italian students and eight support people on the trip to be
‘the face and voice of nature’ to create a dialogue between their respective rivers in Italy and the Whanganui River.
The Italian students joined the Global Ambassadors, including Parco, and 25 other Whanganui students from different high schools around the region.
Ngā Tāngata Tiaki o Whanganui, the iwi authority for Te Awa Tupua, welcomed the students onto Kawhaiki Marae and helped them learn about the history of the Whanganui River, its relationship with hapū and iwi, and its unique status as Te Awa Tupua. Local rangatahi then guided the students on a canoe journey on the river.
The students’ trip to
New Zealand was part of their international Digital Exchange Program, which forms an integral part of the Italian ministerial strategy for internationalisation.
Rach Hoskin,Whanganui & Partners’ Strategic Lead Capability, said it was great to see students from Italy and Whanganui work together to identify common problems facing rivers in their countries.
“The students looked at the challenges facing their rivers and answered questions such as if the river could talk what would it say? They also presented their ideas in the most fascinating ways – including with videos and acting.”
One of the major benefits of the event was the connection between the students, she said.
“Our Whanganui rangatahi really bonded with the Italian students. They learnt that the problems and challenges we face are universal and they realised that by sharing knowledge and appreciating our diverse backgrounds, we can expand our thinking and find new solutions.
“The visit also helped raise Whanganui’s profile in Italy, which we hope will translate into a strong international education relationship in the future.”
Whanganui & Partners is the region’s economic development agency with a mission to lead and drive opportunity in the region through business, education and lifestyle.
It promotes Whanganui as a destination to live, visit, work, study and invest.