An Bin Leba

For An Bin Leba, a computer science student at the University of Canterbury, the green and mountainous countryside reminds him a little of his home in Viet Nam, except for one major factor: there are 300,000 people in Christchurch and 10 million in his home city Hue. But that's fine for An - he's here to study and enjoys the peace and quiet.

An was chosen to study here through the New Zealand Official Development Aid scheme *. " This is a full time course so I don't have much time for a job. The scholarship pays for studying, accommodation and living costs. It's really lucky for me...six students are chosen every year."

Having volunteered as a tour guide in Hue, An was used to practicing the English language so wasn't nervous about possible language difficulties. He was more excited about the opportunity to study abroad. He does, however, have to work harder than most in order to cope with the language in written assignments. "My first year was comfortable but my second year is really heavy for me. I have to spend more time studying and less partying. Almost all my spare time is spent studying."

An notices that New Zealanders have a different way of studying than in his home country. "In Vietnam you study passively the teacher teaches you almost everything - but here you have to study actively, go to lectures and find your own material. It's really good." And for An, his computer science degree is very practical - he gets to work on his computer all the time. He hopes it will be a good start for him as he plans to pursue a career as a software engineer. " The course is really good. I've learnt a lot of new stuff. Even stuff that I've never heard of before like virtual reality and the communication network. It's really great for my future."

Staying in a hostel for the first year, An now lives in a self-catering flat (still within the University Halls of Residence) that he shares with four others. "Now we can cook and talk a lot. I live with really good guys. I have great friends now".

An's had such a good experience studying in New Zealand so far that he hopes to win another scholarship for further education in another country. " In Vietnam a Bachelor degree is not enough to get a job so I hope I can get higher study. The study environment in New Zealand is great. The library and the computers here are really good and the tutor is very helpful when you have questions." An has no intention of going home soon - he believes that studying in another country is the best way to see the world especially when you're young.

* If you want find out about the New Zealand Official Development Aid scholarship, go to www.mft.govt.nz/nzoda/background.html or contact the New Zealand Embassy near you.