Rui Jiang

Coming from the busy city of Shanghai, Rui Jiang (also known as Ling) has enjoyed New Zealand's quieter environment for her international education. "New Zealand is great for study and to live in, with a highly developed western culture". This was an important component in her decision to come to New Zealand. In addition, "a safe and secure place to live was most important to my parents...and New Zealand has a highly regarded education system."

Ling has spent the last year at Otumoetai College in Tauranga, completing five Year 13 papers and attaining an excellent A Bursary. "My teachers were supportive, patient and interesting, with a good sense of humour. They gave me extra time, like lunch time tutorials to help me with Mathematics and Chemistry. I was able to choose subjects that I wanted to study. I was free to ask questions in class if unsure about my work. The Library and Information Centre was brilliant, a great place to study. I spent many hours in there..."

Living in Tauranga, Ling has loved the easy access to the outdoors that is such a natural part of the New Zealand lifestyle. "This is the most beautiful environment to live in; the Mount, the beach, Kamais (mountains) the Pacific Ocean... I'm impressed with the lifestyle here, people exercising and enjoying the outdoors. I often caught colds in Shanghai I've had no illnesses in 18 months here. Life is very relaxed here."

Well equipped with her New Zealand education, Ling has been accepted into the University of Melbourne for a Bachelor of Commerce degree. "Now I feel more confident to handle new situations."