The UHC senior ball was held at Trentham Racecourse on Saturday August 12th attended by about 350 students and teachers. I attended the ball to experience a different culture and to make more friends with the local students.

The UHC senior ball was held at Trentham Racecourse on Saturday August 12th attended by about 350 students and teachers. I attended the ball to experience a different culture and to make more friends with the local students.  Here is a little glimpse into my experience on the night. 

The room was decorated with twinkling lights that made me think of the night sky, and fitted in really well with the ball theme of "Be a star for the night".

The unique costumes caught my eye and there was a photobooth to capture the glamour. All the students made a real effort to dress up with the girls in ball dresses and the boys in suits. The meal was a kiwi style buffet, we had sparkling apple juice on arrival poured in a fancy glass, it all made me feel like an adult.

One thing that was different from home was the selection of a King and Queen, and a Prince and Princess of the ball. This isn’t something that happens in Japan.

There were many famous songs that were played during the dance. The dance floor was packed out all night. I enjoyed dancing so much it made me tired. Socialising helped me to get to know my New Zealand friends better, we discovered we both liked Korean idols. I also made lots of new friends.

Participating in this ball gave me a positive feeling and was a great cultural experience that I would recommend for all international students in the future. This has given me the courage to interact more with the local students and make my study abroad experience even better.

Minaki Takahashi