Education and Social Work student stories

Why Early Childhood Education?
"I want to break down the perception that early childhood education is mainly for women. As a Pasifika male, I can bring a unique perspective to the area and be a role model for other people like me who are interested in this career.

"It is a field that requires patience, hard work, and dedication, but it’s also a rewarding career that allows you to positively impact the lives of children and their families."

Why the University of Auckland?
"I was drawn to the University of Auckland because of the range of academic programmes and courses offered and I was really impressed by the university’s commitment to providing students with a well-rounded and interdisciplinary education.

"I was also excited about being part of a vibrant and dynamic academic community. Our lecturers and tutors are knowledgeable and passionate about early childhood education and are always willing to help us with any questions or concerns.

"The University of Auckland has helped me grow and develop as a student and a person, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me."

“Seeking a better life, my parents moved to New Zealand from their native islands, Tonga and Samoa. I was born in South Auckland and grew up in a disadvantaged community. My parents struggled to adapt in New Zealand, but they knew that their children would have better opportunities here. They worked hard in factory and labouring jobs to provide us with opportunities to succeed – and education was one of them.

“They inspired me to always work hard and give to others without expecting anything in return. They would often visit people in hospital, cook for others, and take people in when they needed a place to stay.

“I wanted to rise above social challenges and empower others to do the same. I chose a career in social work because it would help me to help many people.

“I began with New Start, a 12-week University of Auckland bridging programme that can lead straight into undergraduate study.

“In my degree studies, I’ve completed placements in children’s health and adult mental health settings. I enjoyed translating theories from the classroom into actual practice. And it was a great way to gauge what social work practice looks like in both community and organisational contexts.

“If you want to make a difference in the world, improve the lives of others, and enrich your own, then social work will be a very rewarding career for you.”
 

Excited to learn
"I enjoy getting to learn in-depth about physiology, anatomy and health. The lecturers and professors are passionate about what they are teaching, and about making sure you understand what you’re being taught.

"I’m excited about developing more practical skills through hands-on training. Engaging with peers and participating in workshops related to sports and health will benefit me in the long term."

Cultural interactions
"For example, the SPORTHPE 201: Whakatinanahia course is about cultural interactions through and about movement. It teaches you about dancing and using your whole body to show emotions and express feelings."

Personal growth
"I’m also looking forward to my own personal growth, along with building relationships, and improving my communication and leadership skills, which I can carry through to my future career. After I graduate, I am strongly considering doing the one-year Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) to become a sport and health teacher.

"If you’re at all interested in sport, health, and community wellbeing, this degree is definitely for you."
 

Why SportHPE?
“From a young age, I’ve always been passionate about sport. Netball was my favourite sport. I played it for eleven years and coached for five. I have always wanted to study at the University of Auckland and when I realised that the university offered a degree in Sport, Health and Physical Education, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue.”

Variety and support
“The best things about this programme were the variety of courses being offered and the endless support from our lecturers. I believe the BSHPE programme offered me a good balance of theory and practical learning opportunities. A lot of the students and I worked part-time as sports coaches while studying, the lecturers were really understanding and were always there to help with assessments or when we felt overwhelmed with our workload. They were very engaging and would always make sure that all our questions were answered.”

My policy career
“Toward the end of my third year, I was offered a position in the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Graduate Programme. I am now coming up to one year with MPI and am pursuing a career in policy. The BSHPE degree equipped me with transferable skills such as being a critical thinker and problem-solver, having strong communication skills, learning how to step out of my comfort zone, and most importantly, it helped build on my cultural capabilities in better understanding tikanga Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.”
 

My work
“I support some truly inspiring individuals and have found a home within high-performance sport. I have also received various opportunities to travel around the country with sports teams.
“The best part is connecting with athletes from all over New Zealand and the world and hearing about their stories and journeys. Being a small part of that is incredible.

My studies
“I chose a mixed pathway in Sports Coaching and Leadership and Health Science. This stemmed from my interest in understanding positive coaching practice as well as an interest in mental health and wellbeing. In my latter years of studying, I was able to combine the two in assignments, placements and seminars.”
 

“I’ve always been involved in sports, and Physical Education was my favourite subject in school. At university I’ve loved learning about the body and how it moves and then being able to test these theories in practical settings. I am hoping to continue my studies after this degree so that I can become a teacher or sports psychologist.

“I chose the University of Auckland as they are one of the top universities in the world. Degrees from Auckland are well recognised internationally. I also picked Auckland because they redesigned the Sport, Health and Physical Education degree a few years ago, so the BSportHPE is a fresh new programme.”

The variety of courses

“So far this year we’ve had courses on muscles and bones, games, lifespan development, sociology, teaching and learning, physiology and food education. These courses give you a taste of all aspects of sport, whether you want to be in teaching, health education or another profession.”

“The skill analysis assessment was one of my favourite activities as we were able to analyse our own performance in a sport.”

Great support

“For me the best part about studying at the University of Auckland has been the support from the lecturers. They’re always there to help us with assessment or even if we are just feeling stressed. I also like the family feeling between the students. With a smaller cohort than other programmes, we’ve formed a whānau that we feel comfortable with. We’re always encouraging each other to reach our full potential.”

Passions and possibilities
“The sporting and business worlds are now more intertwined than ever, with professionals sharing several skill sets. The programme has allowed me to identify my passions and the new possibilities that are available within the industry. I believe my studies are setting me up to thrive in a modern and progressive sector.

“The conjoint programme allows me to combine my passions for sport and business. My passion in life has always been sports and physical activity. And at high school I became interested in business and economics. So, the conjoint Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Sport, Health and Physical Education was a natural choice for me.

Sport and business connections
“Through the programme, the links between both the sporting and business worlds became clear. It’s really interesting to see how ideas and practices from both worlds are connected. And that’s where I can follow my passions.”
 

The teaching staff
“The teaching staff are one of the main highlights – everyone I have met has been extremely helpful, kind and understanding.

“The lecturers all have incredible life stories and experiences that shape their unique way of teaching. This helped me realise that everyone’s way of teaching and learning is different.”

Te Ao Māori
“It has been interesting to see how my lecturers use te ao Māori and tikanga to enhance our learning. Which is also a great example of how we can do this in our own classrooms as teachers.”

Incredibly rewarding
“Studying education has been incredibly rewarding. Seeing the smiles on my students’ faces, seeing them progress in their learning and building those relationships has been an incredible feeling. I can’t imagine anything better than this.”
 

The TFC
“Before starting the Bachelor of Education (Teaching) programme I completed the TFC programme. The certificate prepares you academically, mentally and socially for the bachelors programme.

“I learned skills in time management, how to tackle academic readings, how to prioritise my studies alongside my life commitments and how to transition to being a first-year student without knowing anyone. A bonus was knowing that one of our lectures was a past TFC student and that she was not only teaching us for foundation but for the bachelor programme too.”

A whānau-focused kaupapa
“When I first started studying, our timetable was whānau focussed, with 10am starts and a 3pm finish. It catered to our students who had children. Watching parents being able to study with us was inspiring. Our kaupapa of whānau also meant we had a collective lunchtime break that was used for mentoring. This kaupapa worked for us not only relationally but also academically. When one person succeeded in life we all celebrated. The number of Pasifika, Māori, and overall top scholars that our kaupapa of whanau produced from South Auckland is motivating and something that has kept us hooked into the hope that education offers for all.”

My future
“Following my graduation, I see myself preparing for my first year as a beginning teacher or even enrolling in further studies. In ten years, I see myself continuing to serve our people and community in the same way my mother and past teachers have done.”

“I had some amazing teachers throughout my schooling and I too want to positively impact young people’s lives. The University of Auckland is world ranked, and number one in New Zealand for Education. I’m confident that my degree will open a lot of doors for me in the future.”

“The programme brings the New Zealand curriculum to life and shows you how to teach particular subjects. This has grown my confidence significantly.”

A great learning community

“I’m surrounded by people who are here for the same reason: we all want to make a difference in the world of education and inspire students. Meeting new people has been a highlight of my journey – and has shown me the importance of relationships between teachers.”

The University has supported my move from Hawke’s bay to Auckland

“Moving up from Flaxmere in the Hawke’s Bay has been a challenge, but one that I’ve enjoyed. Auckland is always pumping. There are always things to do! It’s a super-diverse city and has opened my eyes to bigger possibilities and opportunities.

“I was lucky to receive the Māori High Achievers Scholarship, which allowed me to move here. It paid for my first year in accommodation and helped with textbooks and support. I was also grateful to receive the Start Smart Scholarship for Education and Social Work students.”

Why Teaching?
“After I finished high school, I took a gap year and moved to England where I taught disabled children. This experience really gave me a passion for teaching and working in children’s education. When I came back, I decided to enrol in the Bachelor of Education (Teaching) programme and begin working towards my teaching qualification. And so I’m now able to turn my passions into a rewarding career.”

Diverse courses
“What I really enjoyed about studying this programme is how diverse the courses are. The courses really provide you with a lot of knowledge across various aspects of education and teaching. Studying at the Epsom campus is great as you are in the same location as all the other teaching students to discuss ideas and assignments.”

Practicum
“The practical placements that you do throughout the programme are also really great. The teachers that guide you give you the most beneficial advice and really support your learning and development. Down the line, I am excited to work toward becoming a principal or a senior teacher at a low decile school in New Zealand.”
 

The BA in Education
“I’d always wanted to study education but wasn’t sure if I wanted to go straight into teaching. The Bachelor of Arts programme majoring in Education allowed me to learn a whole set of other subjects that the arts programme offered while allowing me to learn about education as a subject.

“My Education courses were delivered by an incredibly supportive faculty with teachers who remember their students’ names, cater to their learning needs, and build an engaging positive environment.”

My Arts courses
“Throughout my degree, I have taken classes from treaty politics to youth mentoring and classroom behaviour. I particularly enjoyed learning about the history of education through the means of photography, videos, and writings. I appreciate how much New Zealand History I was able to learn.”

My current Teaching programme
“I am now completing my Graduate Diploma in Teaching, Primary specialisation. I am excited to start teaching across primary and secondary schools specialising in social studies. As the revamp of the social studies curriculum in Aotearoa takes place in the next year in which learning NZ history will become compulsory, I would love to be a part of the great row of teachers who will lead that.”

My future
“In ten years’ time, I hope to continue learning in order to support our future generation of tamariki as best as I can. Since children cannot easily hold an active voice in our society, I hope to help raise their needs. I am grateful that I took Education as an Arts subject. The course has a range of subjects to choose from and each course is taught in an organised and spirited manner. If you are wanting to go into education in some form or another, I would highly recommend following this route. Not only does the course teach you about how to learn but it touches on topics revolving around philosophy, psychology, history, and sexualities.”
 

Why Teaching?
“I decided to do the Bachelor of Education (Teaching) programme as I love learning and I had such amazing and inspirational teachers both in primary school and high school.

“The journey that you go through when creating meaning from of the world around you is such an amazing thing to experience. To be the facilitator of that for young people is the best feeling. If I can pass on that love for learning to my students like my teachers have done so for me, I know that I am doing my job right.”

Such variety
“There is such a variety of things that you learn in this programme, not just about the different subjects you teach your students but also things like educational psychology and the history of education. This really helps us understand why we do things in the classroom when we are out on our practicums.”

Is Teaching for you?
“I would definitely recommend this programme. If you love to learn, enjoy working with children and want to make a difference in the lives of future generations, I would highly recommend the Bachelor of Education (Teaching) programme.”
 

Why Teaching?
“I decided to become a teacher as my primary school teachers really helped improve my learning abilities, my self-confidence and my general interest and excitement to learn.

“I wanted to be able to provide that for children in a classroom and give back what my teachers gave to me. I knew teaching would provide me with a sense of job satisfaction and make a positive difference for ākonga.”

The best things
“What I enjoyed most about the programme were the wider curriculum workshops where we were able to experience a variety of subjects such as visual arts, drama, science, and music. These were lots of fun and made us feel like kids at primary school again as well as being informative and providing us with ideas for our future teaching practice. The programme is very collaborative, you get to work with awesome like-minded people and make new friends.”

Is Teaching for you?
“I would recommend the Graduate Diploma in Teaching if you are passionate about learning, can have a laugh, and are prepared to put in the mahi! Teaching is a really rewarding career and this one year programme is an excellent choice when looking to enter the profession.”
 

Practicum
“On practicum I experienced teaching a range of students with different needs, which was simultaneously tough and rewarding. I prioritised strategies that I wanted to try and focused on gradual change and growth in my development as a teacher.”

Our lecturers
“The staff and students alike made the busy year worth it. I felt that my lecturers kept us engaged and gave us plenty of opportunities to develop our pedagogies as beginning teachers. Our lecturers were not only full of knowledge for us to impart to our students, but full of empathy which enabled us to view the classroom through a different lens.

Constant learning
“The best thing about being a teacher is that you are constantly learning and growing alongside your students. Your personal and professional development never stops. Teaching can take you far beyond the classroom, as you help young people find and grow their passions, which is priceless.”
 

The best things
“Teachers are one of the best things about the programme. Above and beyond, they know what they’re teaching, they’re practised professionals with years of experience in the classroom, and they’re actively researching the subject they lecture about. They put so much care into their work and manaaki the students in their classes.

“Both of the practicum schools I was placed at took great care of me and I had a brilliant time teaching students for the first time. I went from observation, to helping students in the classroom, to teaching small exercises, and then eventually all the way to taking a full class.”

My future
“Going into next year, I feel like I am backed by teaching theories and real-life classroom experience. I have more knowledge and skills about how to plan classes and create content. And I have confidence to do the job that I absolutely didn’t have before.”

Highlights
“One of the greatest highlights of my first year of study has been getting to know the people around me. Another has been exploring the Te Whāriki curriculum and gaining insights into New Zealand’s early learning centres through our placement.

“Through lectures, I had the opportunity to learn and evolve with the support of my teachers, broadening my horizons regarding New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum. I particularly enjoyed the developmental and psychological aspects.”

Practicum
“Throughout my first practical placement, I gained valuable insights and had the opportunity to observe and apply several elements of my studies. After I completed my first practical placement, I continued working at the centre as a relief teacher, discovering how much I love working with the age group 0–2 years.

“Practical placements are, in my opinion, the most valuable part of the BECSt programme. Through insights into diverse centres we can get an understanding of how more experienced teachers work, how a centre operates and how the different aspects of Te Whāriki are woven into everyday teaching.”

My future
“After I graduate, I’m looking forward to working in an early learning centre and applying my knowledge and experience in day-to-day teaching. Over the following years, I’m looking forward to future placements in diverse centres.”
 

“I was very shy in high school, but I have grown so much in this university. I remember I was so lost when I first entered an ECE centre as a student teacher on practicum, and I faced difficulties when first working with infants. After all my practicum experiences, I can now confidently handle different situations. I saw myself growing so much through every single practicum.

“I’ve been exposed to such a wide range of courses and resources – and inspired by a lot of lecturers. I want to contribute to early childhood education, combining the knowledge I’ve learnt with my own ideas.”

English-language support and literacy

“The DELNA English-language testing was really well supported and helped to enrich my academic writing. I also attended some workshops for academic writing in the library this year, which were really useful.

“I especially enjoyed the Language and Literacy course this year. It was very inspiring – particularly the discussion about how to support bilingual children, and how to understand different cultures and languages in Aotearoa. I was even able to discuss the idea of ‘discourse’ by talking about KPop! Linking course content with my interests inspired me to think more about identity.”

Inclusive culture

“I love the coexistence of stability and vitality at the University of Auckland. It’s great that the uni promotes freedom of speech but safeguards the rights and interests of all students. No room for racism. And the lecturers and teachers care for everyone.”

Combining my passions
“I started learning te reo Māori in 2017 and it ignited a fire within me. I decided to do everything I could to share the beauty of te reo with as many people as possible. Becoming a teacher was the perfect way for me to combine my passions for education and te reo Māori – and pass them on to our tamariki.

“As a second language learner, I wanted to immerse myself in a learning environment where te reo was the dominant language, so the Huarahi Māori programme was ideal. Learning under the Te Puna Wānanga staff was very exciting and I was ready to soak in all the learning and knowledge that I could.

The programme
“From literacy and numeracy to PE and technology, I really enjoyed taking the curriculum courses, while also getting an insight into what it’s like to actively use Te Marautanga O Aotearoa in the classroom. The practical elements of the programme have given me first-hand experience in schools and allowed me to create learning resources to use in the classroom.

Classroom time
“The time I spent in the classroom while studying was amazing because the tamariki have just as much to offer me as I offer them. And now that I’m out in the workforce, I still get an indescribable feeling when I see a tamaiti (child) get excited about learning new kupu (words). I’ve taken my learning into my own classroom, creating a space where tamariki can express their creativity and explore their learning through te reo.”
 

Connections
“The best part about the Huarahi Māori specialisation is the range of connections formed. The atmosphere is centred around whanaungatanga. The way content is delivered makes it seem as though you are having a tutorial session. There are no lectures with students all crammed together; it feels personalised. I have had no bad experiences and don’t think I will.

Options
“The great thing about Huarahi Māori is that we have the option to go into either a kura or mainstream, whereas other degrees only get the mainstream option.

Support
“I believe one of the biggest differences between Huarahi Māori and other courses is the endless support we get. Te Korowai Atawhai organise wānanga, workshops and support options for us students. They create pathways for us to have access to what we need, whether it’s academic, financial, pastoral or just keeping the Te Korowai Atawhai room filled with food. They always have something to help support me within my work.

Just do it
“An important thing about Huarahi is that it isn’t only for people fluent in Te Reo, but also for people who are willing and determined to learn how to speak, learn and teach in Te Reo. If you’re considering applying to Huarahi Māori, don’t think about it – just do it.”
 

Why Auckland?
“I’m an international student from Shanghai, China. I chose to study in New Zealand after travelling around the country with my mum during high school. I chose the University of Auckland because of its world-famous reputation and outstanding quality of education.

“After graduating, I’m planning to continue studying for a graduate or masters degree in teaching and would love to become a primary school teacher in New Zealand.”

Practical placements
“The highlight of my TESOL programme so far has been the chance to participate in school placements. We got to see what it’s like teaching in New Zealand classrooms. During our practicum, I not only learned precious teaching techniques, but also how culture, identities and curriculum design can impact language learning.

Support
“The lecturers and tutors have all been very supportive. They help us aim for the top, and the issues we discuss closely connect to our future teaching practice.

“Along with the academic support from lecturers and tutors, organisations like the Student Hubs really helped me a lot in my course enrolment; and Career Development and Employability Services (CDES) always provided helpful advice and opportunities for my future career.

Cultural diversity in Auckland
“Studying in New Zealand has been a wonderful experience because it is a culturally diverse country. In Auckland, especially in the inner city, you can enjoy authentic food from countries all over the world and participate in various cultural festivals and events. For nature lovers, Auckland also has tons of beaches and forests to explore. They offer you an amazing break from your study life.

“For those thinking of applying, there is great information on the University website, so what are you waiting for!?”
 

“In my home country, language teaching is quite standardised – always the grammar-translation method. I’ve now learnt a lot of far broader theories and techniques. And there is a lot of practical work combined with the theory. That will help me later when I study to become a school teacher.

“The TESOL programme has helped me to cultivate an intercultural view of language and language speakers. So that’s great preparation for when I eventually enrol in a teacher certification programme.”

Cultural insights

“But English is not just a tool, and language study is not just about grammar. The TESOL programme has helped me see the culture behind the learning. There are so many diverse cultures in New Zealand, and many people use English as their second language. This environment gives me a lot of chances to apply TESOL theory in daily life.”

Orientation and other support

“Before the first semester, the faculty held an orientation. They told us what to expect, and we got a programme handbook with lots of details. Also, they arranged mentors and study buddies for us. I’ve had a lot of academic support. Workshops such as Let’s Talk, Critical Thinking and Essay Writing have helped me broaden my outlook and skills.”

A great country for international students

“New Zealand is a very easy country for international students. People smile a lot and are friendly to strangers. And passengers say thank you to the bus driver. That’s so sweet!”