NMIT

Malcolm Swanson on March 18th, 2011

On Thursday, March 17 a ceremony was held to finalise the signing of an agreement between Seinan Jo Gakuin University and NMIT. This agreement will allow us to expand our activities between the two schools. NMIT CEO Tony Gray signed on behalf of the institute, and this was followed by an afternoon tea with all our [...]

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Malcolm Swanson on March 18th, 2010

Today all the students finished their classes at NMIT and spent the afternoon preparing for the farewell ceremony. This was held in the students’ centre, and featured speeches by John Hitchcock and Claire Keanes, presentations of diplomas, and then a series of presentations and songs by the students. We finished with a potluck dinner, with [...]

Continue reading about Day 27 – Farewell

Malcolm Swanson on March 9th, 2010

Tony Gray is the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of NMIT, and today we met to discuss the future of Seinan’s relationship with NMIT. It is our hope to formalise a relationship between the two institutions that will lead to greater opportunities for both students and faculty.
Tony Gray – CEO

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Malcolm Swanson on March 9th, 2010

After yesterday’s class on Maori culture with Kim, today he took us to the local Whakatu Marae [see website], the meeting area for Nelson’s iwi (tribal groups). First we experienced a powhiri (formal welcome) – we were called onto the marae grounds by one of the elders, then we all sat inside the wharenui meeting [...]

Continue reading about Day 17 – Marae visit

Malcolm Swanson on March 7th, 2010

In preparation for our visit to the marae (Maori meeting house) tomorrow, Kim Hippolite gave us an introductory lecture on Maori culture and marae protocol. We ended with a practice session on how to do the hongi greeting (where two people gently touch noses).

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Malcolm Swanson on March 5th, 2010

With all the girls in different classes, it means they sometimes have to say goodbye to fellow students. Today some of the Kanagawa University girls were leaving, so they held a goodbye party!

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The food!

Getting ready

Saori cutting her cake

Fresh cream [...]

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Malcolm Swanson on February 25th, 2010

After another morning of hard study, we again headed out for afternoon activities. This time we had a chance to finally see some of  New Zealand’s famous countryside – sheep, cows, sheep, ducks, and more sheep! We started out with a visit to a berry farm where we had a chance to pick beautiful strawberries [...]

Continue reading about Day 5 – Strawberries and wine

Malcolm Swanson on February 23rd, 2010

The students are discovering that the morning lessons are hard… really hard! There are only about 3 students from Seinan in each class, so they’re having to use English for the full 3 hours! This is a great chance for them to brush up their skills!
However, we decided to give them a break this afternoon [...]

Continue reading about Day 4 – To the beach!

Malcolm Swanson on February 22nd, 2010

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Cool sunglasses

Walking with Yoshi

Bush track

Nao with a cicada

At the top

Centre of NZ!

Group jump

Super model Yukari

Walking down with Gertrude

This morning, the students were all divided up into different classes. This offered them the chance to work with students from many [...]

Continue reading about Day 3 – The centre of NZ

Malcolm Swanson on February 21st, 2010

Today was a busy day for the girls as they began their studies at NMIT. Today included:

Meeting with staff
Placement test for classes
Welcome picnic in nearby Queens Gardens
Orientation session and campus tour
One-to-one interviews about homestay issues
Tour of the downtown area, explanation of banking, shopping, etc

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Malcolm Swanson on January 21st, 2010

Studying Abroad in New Zealand
From February 20 to March 20 2010, 13 students will be travelling to New Zealand with Malcolm Swanson. We will be staying in Nelson, a beautiful seaside city at the north of the South Island. Students will be studying at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology’s International Studies Department (NMIT – [...]

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