Nakajima Rie

Upon deciding an international education for her tertiary years, Nakajima Rie initially chose to study in Christchurch because she wanted to experience living in a small city. And she was fortunate to live with a home-stay family that encouraged her love of horse riding. "In Tokyo I had to travel for hours to ride horses in Christchurch the horse riding school was on my doorstep!"

Enjoying her time here, Nakajima found the teaching methods in New Zealand less formal than in Japan. "Lecturers are friendly and approachable, and students are encouraged to actively participate in lectures and tutorials." She noticed that successful students are dedicated to their studies and have good work ethics.

Nakajima graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology. On return to Japan, she secured a position with a prestigious company in her home town of Tokyo where her employers value her New Zealand qualification and English Language skills. "They know that I have been exposed to a culture where I have been encouraged to use my own initiative."