Japanese students experience a taste of Kiwi working life as part of study programme

A group of 17 third-year economic students from Kindai University in Osaka, Japan were at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University for an intensive 16-week English Language Studies and Internship Programme. The last two weeks of their programme involved internships at local businesses and organisations including a mortgage broker, a honey business, an environmental organisation, a confectionery business, a leisure centre and a chamber of commerce. 

Genki Mitsunga, who volunteered at Environment Network Manawatū, says the experience provided him with the opportunity not only to practice his English and to learn about the business, but also to experience gardening for the first time.

“I had never gardened before because there are no opportunities to do so in Japanese cities, but I could enjoy planting plants and carrying compost in cooperation with the local people. The activities with the Ruahine Kiwi allowed me to see and hear New Zealand birds and get a taste of the beautiful nature.”

The programme is run by the team at Te Tumu Whakatipu, who have over 30 years of experience offering international short courses. Director Andrea Flavel says the programme allows the students to work on their English skills as well as experience a taste of work and life in New Zealand.

“The feedback from both the business community and the students from Japan has been extremely positive, with experiences that will be remembered for a long time to come. Te Tumu Whakatipu really appreciate the continual relationships, some newly formed, between the local business community and Massey,” she says.

The course included visits to local businesses, activities and farms in the Manawatū, as well as a trip to Wellington. One student played soccer for a local club team, while another recorded music at The Stomach recording studio and got involved with Massey radio station Radio Control.

Radio Control Volunteer Coordinator Jordan Kupe says, "Ryo will be missed here at Radio Control, it was a pleasure having him around. His willingness to learn and try new things has been so amazing. He showed great development in his comprehension and communication in English from when we first met him at the beginning of the semester."

Massey would like to thank the following businesses and organisations for their involvement in this course:

Manawatu Business Chamber

Lido Aquatic Centre

Taylored Mortgages

Palmerston North City Council

Mason Brothers Honey

Munchkins Confectionery

Environmental Network Manawatū

Manawatū Multicultural Centre

Harcourts Real Estate

Medical Collagen NZ

Palmy Venues

Compressed Air Controls

Radio Control 99.4

Creative Sounds – The Stomach

OBO