An Insight into the world of Science and Technology beyond the horizon of school, on a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience sponsored by the Rotary Club.

The Forum gives an experience like no other with university life for 2 weeks, witnessing people from all over New Zealand and how they think and being intellectually challenged by those in your teams. 

Ranging from Biomedical Sciences to Game development, participants witnessed how professionals in their fields think and how people with passion work for an end goal. They got to stay at Waipārūrū Hall and visit the University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and Massey University while also enjoying beach days, exploring Auckland days, barbeques, a Disco Night, a formal dinner, volleyball tournament between the 6 group colours, and finally the best: a Dragon’s Den (first experience of an effective group). 

Jason’s Experience:

During my two weeks in Auckland, I experienced a wide range of people who are roughly my age, as well as how many of them are significantly smarter and got to see what their interests are. The wide range of lectures also helped us to better understand what lies ahead for us along those career paths. We would spend up to 18 hours a day together (at most) as a group, developing relationships and friendships that last months after the two-week period. The food served by the staff of Flametree Catering was exceptional and a requirement for the amount of walking and touring we got to experience nearly daily, with EMA’s and movement to and from lectures (most I walked was 16.5km on the 2nd Friday). You need to make sure your phone is 100% charged every day as you take hundreds of photos of every experience you get. The forum solidified my future career pathway into Biomedical Research and development by offering an in-depth view of what the day-to-day experience is like.

Stella’s Experience:

During my two weeks in Auckland, I got to experience having covid for a second time. Although it meant I could only spend half the time in labs, lectures and spending time with the friends I made, I still got to partake in some of the events still happening whilst I and six others were in isolation. I was near the lower end of the smartness scale which meant I kept on needing assistance from others and they were all willing to help out. The lectures and lecturers were amazing. The amount of new stuff I learnt that I'd never been taught at Te Aratai was quite a lot. They helped me better understand what I'm looking for in the future. We'd spend hours in our colour groups which helped us bond better together (although some of them were like cults) as we'd go to all our lectures in the busses together jamming out to some of the best music tastes by the advisors. I thought the forum would help me decide or narrow my decisions down, but no I now have 3 other things added to my list of what I want to do and where I want to go. I'll still have to keep my options open but nano girl makes me want to break things and not fix them.