Timaru Girls International Student Stories

Annika (Germany):

You will love the beautiful environment around Timaru. I have been to the lakes many times and tried kayaking, tramping and cycling. The outdoor life really suits me. The air is crisp and clean, no pollution here, you can’t imagine how nice it is. The girls at school are great, very friendly and interested in me and where I come from. I hope I can come back to Timaru one day.

Nichole (Hong Kong):

I love the school hostel and the Music room because I can practise piano there. Don’t  worry about the new culture, language and how you will live – in the first few days you will probably get lost but people help you a lot, they are very kind. Life in Timaru can be very funny because sometimes people in shops do not understand you straight away so there are sometimes humourous misunderstandings!

Zakhiya (South Africa):

The technology building is very cool and modern. Timaru Girls’ is very cultural and respectful and fun. They treat you the same as everyone else so there’s no effort to fit in. Drama is my favourite subject- it’s interesting and lots of fun. There are many more learning opportunities than in my home country so I like it here because I feel I have a future.

Minori (Japan):

Timaru Girls’ has big and beautiful school grounds with a lot of trees and flowers. I like the nature around me. I also really like foods in the cafeteria. We learn a lot of English in ESOL class which we have every day as well as our other subjects. My homestay life is very nice especially my homestay mother, father and sister. They are very funny. When i am older I will remember the kiwi food because I love it, also my friends as they are very kind, funny and cute.

Hae-Jeong (Korea):

The cafeteria food is nice. The school is wider than Korean schools. Many Kiwi girls are good at Physical Education. When I first arrived I felt very nervous because my English was poor and I couldn’t understand what the teachers were saying but all the people who were with me like the form teacher and my friends helped me so I am settled here now. Life in Timaru is quiet  with not so many cars and high buildings but it is very safe.

Ilevima (Fiji):

The standard of school is very high and also the teachers are really helpful in all of my subjects. They are patient and help me speak better English – my English has improved quickly. I take Biology, PE, Maths, ESOL, English and Study as I am in Year 13.  Sometimes the teachers make me laugh because they are funny.