Manawatū campus farewell for international students

International students from 22 countries and their families celebrated completing their studies in 21 different programmes at a farewell at the Manawatü campus last week.

International students support officer Natalia Benquet says the event was held for students who will not be taking part in a formal graduation ceremony. They were presented with Goodwill Ambassador Certificates from the University and the Palmerston North City Council along with Massey pins and other mementoes.

Students were from Botswana, Brazil, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, the United States, Vanuatu, Vietnam and Zambia.

Ms Benquet says students were given advice and a booklet about re-entry into their own culture, reverse culture shock, and job seeking in their own countries. The farewell ended with an afternoon tea with University chaplaincy staff.

A number of students sent positive feedback to the international team after the event. Syed Shafqat Ali from Pakistan, who is completing a PhD, said the event was well run. “The gifts that I have received are lovely and I have made them a part of my “precious-things-collection.”

Kerryn Sogha Galokale from the Solomon Islands, who is completing a Master of Education, described it as "awesome", saying he met some of the other students for the first time.

Indika Herath from Sri Lanka, who is completing a PhD in soil science, thanked the team for “continuous support since our arrival to this final stage".

Students who completed the semester exchange programmes Study Abroad and Study Exchange also attended the event to celebrate their time spent at Massey.