Willy Jantapanya

Student: Willy Jantapanya Programme: ESOL Country: Thailand

From Thailand to Kiwiland 
 
From balmy summers in Thailand, to the land of the long white cloud, Willy Jantapanya has come a long way.

Having recently moved to Dunedin to study English in the School of Foundation Learning, at Otago Polytechnic, the Thai national relocated to New Zealand, in 2007

“When I first came to New Zealand I hardly spoke any English,” says Willy.  “It took around a year and a half to feel comfortable.”

Willy attended Dunstan High School in the small Central Otago town of Alexandra, before transitioning to Otago Polytechnic at the end of Year 12, to study English.

“The English as a Second Language programme has been great for improving my reading and writing skills. It also gives me the opportunity to upgrade to another study programme within the Polytechnic.”

“My teacher is from Thailand which I find comforting. Others students in my class are from India, Hong Kong, Korea, China and Germany.”

In-between studying, Willy has discovered a love for New Zealand’s fantastic outdoors.

“I took up hiking and snowboarding and I’m really enjoying it. I plan on going boarding every weekend in winter. In Dunedin, I’m enjoying skateboarding at the skate park behind the Railway Station.”

When he’s not riding those rails, Willy is weighing up his future study options in Dunedin.

“I want to eventually get into marketing and sales, but I’m still choosing between business and art for my studies. It’s nice to have so many options.”

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