A wider view
International opportunity expands horizons for quartet.
It tests you as a professional -- especially in a scenario in which you are having to teach and direct.
A quartet of Sport and Exercise students recently expanded their horizons courtesy of the Prime Minister’s Scholarships to Asia programme.
Postgraduate Diploma of Applied Science learners Emily Hodges, Bennett Jones, George Renton and Marcus Panton spent six weeks in Shanghai, China, where they were involved in an American Football physical conditioning project.
“It was an honour to work as a strength and conditioning coach with Team Aurora - Shanghai Institute of Technology's American Football team, which is the top Chinese university team in its league and consists solely of players from a nation steeped in tradition and history,” Bennett says.
“Six weeks in a foreign country can be difficult enough at times, let alone living on campus at a solely Mandarin-speaking university and helping educate technical aspects of strength and conditioning," he says.
Emily says the language barrier was also an opportunity.
“It tests you as a professional -- especially in a scenario in which you are having to teach and direct. However, this language barrier forced us to think of and use alternative sources of communication, which I think was beneficial for my growth as a professional," she notes. “IIt was such a great experience.”
George agrees: “I learnt so much about myself. Working with the team and the university staff was awesome.”
The Prime Minister's Scholarships to Asia aim to strengthen New Zealand's ability to engage with key Asian trading partners, as well as improve the skills of the workforce.
The PMSA programme is funded by the New Zealand Government and administered by Education New Zealand.
