""To leave such a rich and full country, even to go back home is so difficult for me.""
Dave von Deschwanden
Student Stories Profiles
Dave von Deschwanden
Name: Dave von Deschwanden
Born: Canada
Age: 18
Locations: Northland
Discipline: Other
Kia Ora!
At first it scared me to bits - coming from a laid back school back in Canada, the slogan ‘turning boys into fine men’ gave me chills. Although my time in New Zealand lasted only for half a year, my experiences in Northland and Whangarei Boys’ High wouldn’t make me change it for the world. As most boys will tell you, at first its awkward, a new school, new country - I had the advantage over other international students with my ability to speak decent English (despite my accent)…But I remember it like yesterday, getting dropped off, meeting Mr. Palmer and trying to sort my courses etc… Although it was slow at first, I eventually grew into my niche at Boys’ High having made my fair share of both international and Kiwi friends. My main focus and my advice to anyone that plans to join this wonderful school and live in New Zealand is to try something new…To much time and energy is wasted in being homesick, or doing things as you did back home…Not only does it shift your focus from learning and experiencing the richness and diversity of Kiwi culture, but it also does not allow you to gain so many irreplaceable memories. Get involved in school activities, sports and subjects that you couldn’t take back home - I myself have taken Japanese and Maori in terms of languages and have joined the school’s kapahaka group. It will probably be one of the hardest things to leave behind as I loved doing it so much. Boys’ high has an excellent teaching staff and a wonderful international office which not only helps with your problems, but, along with Girls High (a fact which pleases my New Caledonian friend) organizes after school sports nights and beach excursions. To be honest, it has only been in the last little while where I have been able to catch my breath; I have not only done things such as wakeboarding and joining Rockquest with a couple of international friends, but also this experience has let me do things that I could have only dreamed of back home such as skydiving, sand boarding and getting my scuba diving qualifications. This is not even the tip of the iceberg… There are so many things that I have not yet done myself, such as surfing, bungeeing, etc… The amount of different people I have been able to share these experiences with has been incredible, needless to say, I have no need to worry about where to stay when I go on my world tour. Even now though, I find it hard to write this. To leave such a rich and full country, even to go back home is so difficult for me. I believe that that my experience and life in New Zealand and Boys’ High has helped me grow as a person and has made this choice to spend half a year away from my home one of the best things that I have ever done. Whether it’s having a coffee at the Basin, hanging around in town, going North or South on an excursion, or even memorizing a karakia or pepeha for Maori, it will be one of the greatest things you ever do, as long as you go into it with the proper and optimistic attitude. Remembering that you love it like it can end in a second, but appreciating it for the rest of your life. Once again, there has not been a second where a smile from Ian or Dot haven’t brightened up my day, or when the traditional school ethics have challenged my patience…more than once or twice. Remember, come in with a smile, leave with laughter…It would be hard not to.
Northland
Northland, New Zealand’s northern most region, is known for its stunning beaches and sunshine.