A couple of weeks ago we had a group of ten Chinese students visit Breens Intermediate, with their group leaders.

The students came to Breens Intermediate each day for a week to experience life in a New Zealand classroom.  Each Chinese student had a Breens 'ambassador' to show them around school and help them out in class. The students all stayed in homestays with Breens students and had a great time doing activities with the families in the afternoons and weekends. 

The Chinese students learnt a lot about what school is like in New Zealand and our Breens students got to learn about some of the differences of school life in China. Some of the students had little English so google translate and hand gestures were needed to help communication. The Chinese students enjoyed the space of the school, especially the field and the less pressured learning environment.

On their final day at Breens we held a Farewell Celebration that all the Breens Ambassadors attended with their Chinese students. A small group of Kapa Haka students performed waiata and a haka which the Chinese students loved. The Chinese students received certificates to acknowledge the time they had spent in our classes and the two Group Leaders received gifts, made by the wonderful Jill Reid. Then everyone enjoyed kai together.

The homestay families were amazing and created lifelong memories with the students they hosted. Feedback we received afterwards from one of the Group Leaders was - 'The host families in New Zealand really put in a lot of effort to spend time with our children. Although the time is short, the friendship is long - even beyond friendship to the level of family affection. We not only miss the pure land scenery of the South Island in New Zealand, but also the pure and loving people we met there.'

Overall, the week in which the Chinese students and leaders were at Breens was a success as we all learnt a little about each other. Lifelong memories and connections were made.

Sandra Wong - International Student Co-ordinator