Senthil Balan

I consider my time at the University of Auckland as the most exciting, enjoyable and enriching experience of my life so far.

The university gave me access to excellent academic staff, and it strongly supports its international students. An example was when I was awarded the University of Auckland Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong Scholarship in 1996. This helped me during the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

The University offers superb opportunities for extra curricular involvement in campus life. I took advantage of this and became the President of the Malaysian Student Club in 1997 and in 1999, the first international student in the University's history to sit on the Student Executive Body. This experience was helpful when I was applying for jobs after graduation.

There are also excellent opportunities to forge links with the business community in Auckland, and I was awarded the NZ Malaysian Business Council Book Award in 1999.

I would recommend an education experience at the University of Auckland to anyone, regardless of race, nationality, gender, or religion, as the experience is just as valuable as the academic knowledge and skills you acquire. It has surely helped me become a more rounded person in my career thus far."