Testimonials

Here are comments from some of our current and past International Students.

Hello I am Philipp

South Otago is a beautiful place and you see the nice parts of New Zealand with the school. I go to South Otago High School. You can do lots of sport stuff here. And in the weekends you can go tramping, kayaking, skiing or trips to Queenstown but it is not all weekends. The people are friendly and I found fast friends here. I have now good friends here and I do nice things with them. In the school there are lots of opportunity such as building, cooking and drawing. The time here was a very good time for my life.

Hallo ich bin Philipp
South Otago ist ein wunderschöner Ort, und Sie sehen das schöne Teile von Neuseeland mit der Schule. Ich gehe auf die South Otago High School. du kannst viel Sport arten hier tun. Und an den Wochenenden kann man wandern gehen, Kajaking, Ski oder Ausflüge nach Queenstown, aber es ist nicht an allen Wochenenden. Die Menschen sind freundlich, und ich fand schnell Freunde hier. Ich habe jetzt gute Freunde und ich mache schöne Dinge mit ihnen. In der Schule gibt es viele Möglichkeiten, wie bauen, Kochen und Zeichnen.
Die Zeit hier war eine sehr gute Zeit meines lebens.

Balclutha is a good place for education, because the people are kind and friendly. The teachers always give me extra help for my learning. I took part in the ski trip to the Remarkables for the first time and also went on the Geography trip. Both trips were fun and exciting. The senior school ball was a highlight and I am looking forward to this year ball. Finally, Balclutha is a nice and quiet place to study.

Gary Yiu

Peoples’ Republic of China (Hong Kong)

This is my first time being an international student. I remember when I arrived at South Otago High School; the place was extremely strange to me. But now, I know Balclutha well. Actually it is a good place for everybody to study here. Balclutha is a small town; it is very different to Hong Kong.
The teachers are helpful; they spend lots of time helping you if you need it.
My host family is very kind, they look after me very well and they like to keep contact with my family. I enjoy my school life at South Otago High School.

Isaac Wong

Peoples’ Republic of China (Hong Kong)

I am from Hong Kong. I have been at South Otago High School for a year and a half. I find it to be a very good school. The people here are very friendly to foreign students and there are a lot of activities. If you don't understand things, the teachers will be very helpful; it made me fit in quickly in this new environment. I really like this school because it provides us with good teaching and courses.

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May Li

Peoples’ Republic of China (Hong Kong)

South Otago High School is a great place for your study and life. The teachers are very helpful, and students at school are very friendly, all help each other. I have got a lot of friends to study with both at school and during weekends, and it is a lot of fun. Studying sometimes sounds a bit boring, but with your friends, it becomes very exciting. Subjects offered at SOHS are also very interesting. Class style is not like lots of Asian school where students are just to sit in class and listen to teachers, but all the students actually participate in class by asking lots of questions, and discussing the subject. Other than study, there are plenty of social activities going on. Cultural activities are one of the highlight of this school. Individual music lessons are offered for those students who wish to play. And even if you have never played before, you can start learning an instrument. I started playing Violin and Flute, and because those lessons are very valuable, I am in the school orchestra.

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Snow Ishii

Japan

Simon

I am a 15 year old exchange student from Hamburg, Germany. I came to New Zealand in July to study at SOHS for half a year. All the experiences I have gained in New Zealand are good. The good and funny times, like Mr Sharp's Geography lessons, are nice memories to take home to Hamburg. It was a big change for me to live in such a small town with so few shops and people. School in New Zealand is much different to school in Germany, but I got used to it very quickly. People as SOHS are very friendly, and respect international students whose English is not as good as theirs. I also discovered rugby and cricket in New Zealand and enjoyed them very much. My host family made life in New Zealand much easier for me. They gave me a really good home and were always nice to me. Ich werde euch me vergessen!

Amanda

I come from Hong Kong. I was so happy I could come to New Zealand and be a student. It is such a different experience, living in a small town with such lovely people. They care about the environment and have a very strong passion for Rugby. Because of New Zealand, I now like baking, and having coffee in the morning. I learnt a lot more than I expected. Thanks New Zealand, for giving me such a wonderful time!

Julius

Moin. I'm Julius and I'm from Hamburg, Germany. I have been here for only five months, but it feels like home already. My mother worked here before, and she was always gushing about beautiful New Zealand with all the friendly people, and now I can say she was right! I have learned a lot since I have been here, and the opportunity to live in another country where everything is different is beyond words! I was really impressed by how much the school encourages sport. I'll be back!

Kris

I come from Hong Kong. I prefer SOHS to my secondary school in Hong Kong – SOHS is a lot of fun, and the teachers are nice, and kind. I love New Zealand, even though it is quiet in Balclutha, but that just makes it easy to study hard – which I can’t do in Hong Kong, because I prefer going shopping and singing Karaoke… I hardly ever focus on my studies there. I’m also glad I met my host family, and my host sister, who went back to Brazil. They are so lovely, and I’m so happy to be staying with them.