Kayla:
After this New Zealand Study Tour, I think I have broken through myself. Before this study tour, I really afraid of speaking English. I will just express myself by writing, Why am I like that? It is because I am scared of speaking English wrongly .Even though I am at home, I still don’t want to speak in English. But this time, I am in New Zealand, a place that people use English to communicate. So that, I must do some changes. At first, it is a bit hard to express myself in English. However, I adapt to it very quickly. It is easier to talk to my New Zealand’s buddy.
In this trip, I have learnt some English communicant skills. I am concentrated while talking with others. I will focus on every single word which they say. So that I have learnt many. Let me introduce some of the phrases to you: hang on, over run, go along and help yourself. And also some words: netball, weird, magnificent and initiative. If I don’t know what is the meanings of those words and phrases that they say, I definitely will ask them. Thus, I have learnt many things. And I will remember them deeply forever.
I haven’t made many friends in New Zealand, but at least we have common topic between one another. The people there are nice, kind, friendly and passional. They are active to chat with others and also help others. I will never feel embarrassed while staying with them. They are also generous. One of my classmate call Isabella, we are not familiar with each other, but she still gives me a piece of pizza for lunch. It is really delicious! My buddy Renee, she always gives me some ideas on different subjects. She is incredibly helpful!
About my host family, I also have many to share. First, learn about their living style. The most impressive is eating. They seldom help others to clip food. They will just help or ask other to pass the food that with dish. About taking shower, they will not take a long time, they promote saving water. And because of that, they use washing machine about twice a week. Second, their habit. They always drink cold water and they can directly drink water from the tap. They use to say ‘How are you?’;‘Have a good day.’; ‘Do you have a good dream’; ‘How was your day?’ etc.
The New Zealand’s school life is quite relaxing. Their break time is much longer than that in China. They will do many activities in lessons. That means their courses are not running quickly, it is totally different from China’s schools’ courses. During lesson, Chinese students are very quiet. However, in New Zealand, the students are very noisy. Also, they are not as concentrated as Chinese students while having lessons. The main problem is, they have very little homework. I am shocked, as they have roughly three books of homework a day at most.
They don’t know much about China, so that, I have done some sharing. Basically, I have talked about my family. I tell them that I seldom argue with my older sister. They say that is weird, as their children always argue with each other. About technology, I tell them Huawei, iPhone and Samsung are the big brand of phone in China. About eating, Chinese people use to clip food for the children. And then, we have a suitable distance between teacher and student. I think in their country, teacher and student are like friends. Also, I tell them Chinese students put much time on studying, but it seems like New Zealand’s students are not like that. Overall, China and New Zealand are totally different.
I think I have reached many of my targets in this trip. It is because I know that this study tour is an important chance. I must grab every chance to improve myself. This study tour is incredibly valuable and I enjoy it very much. I thanks for all the people who help me to get that meaningful chance. My family also feel happy that I have learnt much from this study tour. They feel proud of me. I think that I have grown, I have became a more mature teenager.
I will keep in touch with my host family and New Zealand’s friends. Also, all the teachers in Marist College are saving into my brain forever.
I also want to say thank you to the person who gives me the scholarship. It is really helpful for me, it has shared the responsibility for me.