Task 10

Task 9

I am still not sure about what subjects I am going to take after I finish my Foundation Studies as I still have another semester to go before I complete my Foundation Studies. At this moment, I think I will go for Civil Engineering after I complete my Foundation Studies but hopefully I will not change my mind when I complete my Foundation Studies next year.

Task 8

I get to meet new friends in New Zealand. One of my Foundation Studies friend is Tracy. We always hang out together as our timetable is the same. This is because Tracy and I got credited for Foun040 whereas others who are in the same batch as us have to take Foun040. Sometimes we went out for shopping and coffee for recreation.

Task 7

Everyday in New Zealand, I have to do my own laundry and prepare my own meals whereas in Malaysia, my mother was the one who prepare our meals. Besides that, I have my own room over here where I have to do the cleaning myself. In Malaysia, I share a room with my sister and we took turns to clean our room. However, my duty in Malaysia and in New Zealand is the same which is studying as a student and make sure that I finish my assignments on time and attend all lectures.

Reference: Cheyenne Millwork & Custom Cabinets Ltd. Retrieved 16 September, 2007, from http://www.cheyennemillwork.com/custom-bedroom-furniture.html

Task 6

Living in New Zealand

I am living at a house that is quite different from my house back in Malaysia. My house in Malaysia is a terrace house and most houses here are single story banglo house. The furnishing here is almost the same in Malaysia but the wall of the houses here are hollow compare to the houses in Malaysia which used solid bricks for the wall. Therefore, it is quite noisy in the house I am living in now because the sound insulation is not that good and my room is located near the lounge. If anybody is watching televisyen at the lounge, then I will not be able to sleep or do my homework.

The custom here is quite different from those in Malaysia. That day when I went to the cashier to pay for the things I want, that lady on the counter greeted and say "Hi, how are you today?". I was quite surprise because in Malaysia, those people who work as cashier never greet their customers.

The way of teaching in New Zealand is also quite different from Malaysia. In New Zealand, you have to be hardworking and almost every week, there are assignments to be done while in Malaysia, you only have to do 1 or 2 assignment per subject.

New Zealand people are very friendly compare to Malaysian. If someone accidentally knock on you, they will apologise. I think New Zealand people are very lucky because they live in a very clean environment compare to people in Malaysia because it is very common to see rubbish scattered around on the streets in Malaysia but not in New Zealand.

I think some of the people here are not that grateful for what their country has because they
never realise that they are more fortunate than other people who live in poor countries like Indonesia. Maybe it is because they never experience the environment over there.

I think the government and police here are strict and efficient enough which is a good thing to ensure the security of the country.

Reference: Heeb, C. Retrieved 7 August, 2007, from http://www.totaltravel.co.nz/travel/new-zealand/christchurch-alps/christchurch/photos

Task 5

International Students

I am taking the World of Science, English and Mathematics now. I find that World of Science is quite difficult even though I have already learned those things back in my high school in Kuching. This is because I learned Science subjects in Malay language back in Malaysia and the terms are all different here. Mathematics and English are quite good but I have to write essays in English and the last essay I wrote was 2 years ago. Overall, I think that they are teaching me important information that will be useful when I enter into Civil Engineering next year. I think I will pass the exams and it is important for me to do so as the fees as an international student is very expensive. If I fail to pass my exams, my parents will be disappointed.

Reference: International Students Retrieved 17 September, 2007, from http://www.mcgeorge.edu/x1873.xml

Task 4

The reasons why I choose to study Foundation at University of Canterbury is because I think that it will be helpful when I enter into Civil Engineering. In Foundation Studies, I am going to learn more about English, Science, Mathematics and Computing which is very useful. The courses that I am taking now is chosen by myself. My family and friends support the decision I made in choosing the courses here and I think it is important to have their support in this. I am taking the Mathematics courses or subjects that I am interested in and I think it is important to study something that I am interested in so that I will not felt bored when attending the class. If I could start again, I will end up with the same decision in choosing my courses.

Task 3

My Friends & Me At Kuching International Airport
on 12th June

When I first inform my family that I wish to change my course from Quantity Surveying into Civil Engineering, they were not supportive at first and that makes me a little disappointed but as I put myself into their shoes, I understand why they were not supportive towards my decision. This is because back in Kuching, I am a full scholarship holder in the course of Quantity Surveying and they want me to follow my sister pathway as she would be able to help me along my study as we would major in the same field.

As for my friends, they were all shock when they heard about my decision because they all know that my actual plan was to complete my diploma in Kuching then go over to United Kingdom to pursue my degree. I aspect that to happen as I did not inform them until everything was settle and done which is about one month before my departure to New Zealand.

I did organise a gathering at my place as my farewell party. My friends and I had a great time together as we did not have a gathering for quite a long time.

On the 12th of June 2007, my mother and my grandmother send me to the airport after we had breakfast together. Some of my friends went to the airport to send me and I really appreciate it as one of my friend did make something herself as a present for me. She told me not to open it until I went into the plane. As I bid good bye to my family and friends, I went into the departure area with my boyfriend who travel along with me. Our first flight was to Singapore because we have to stop over there to get our Visa done. Fortunately, we still have some free time so we were able to have a walk around Singapore and I get to try to use the MRT for the first time as we have to stay one night in Singapore. I could not buy anything extra even though Singapore was have their Mega Sales because there is a limit of luggage weight which is 20 kilograms per person.

On the next day, we took the flight from Singapore to New Zealand but we have to transit at Sydney International Airport for three hours. It was a tiring flight as it took a long time before we finally reach Christchurch. Before we touch down the airport, I was able to have a look at New Zealand's beautiful landscape which is very different from Malaysia.

When we reach Christchurch, my boyfriend's sister were here to pick us up. I still remember how cold the wind was as I step out of the airport. I did not aspect it to be so cold because I never experience winter season before.

During my first day at University of Canterbury, I had to attend the orientation at the Chemistry Building and everything seems so different from what I experienced in Kuching as all the Foundation Studies students came from many different countries but it went quite smoothly as I hope and I was able to gain more information about University of Canterbury through the speakers.

Reference: Wee, W. (Artist). (2007). My friends & me at Kuching International Airport [Photograph].

Task 2

I took about six months to make up my mind to come over to New Zealand to pursue my education. Frankly speaking, the main reason New Zealand is my choice is because the fees is cheaper compare to my other options countries like Australia and United Kingdom. Besides that, I am planning to get my degree in the Engineering field and University of Canterbury is a wise choice, as it is known worldwide for its engineering.

Fortunately, I get to find out more about the life and study in New Zealand through my friend who came over to New Zealand three years ago. My family was not supportive towards my decision to come over New Zealand at first but as I get to explain to them the benefits here, they finally gave me the green light. This happens because my parent’s actual plan was to send me over to United Kingdom after I complete my Diploma in Quantity Surveying like my third sister. I also thought about following my third sister’s footpath but in the end, I decided to change my course to Civil Engineering before I complete my diploma in Kuching. The reason for this is that I realise that I have more interest in becoming an Engineer rather than a Quantity Surveyor.

Raven Trading Sdn. Bhd., which is the agency that helps me in gaining the knowledge and making decision to come here. The agent there is very helpful in preparing me to go into University of Canterbury. Now that I am here, I think that I have made the right choice for choosing University of Canterbury.

The Map Of My Hometown,

Malaysia.

Reference: Malaysia. Retrieved 5 July from http://theodora.com/maps/new4/malaysia.gif.

Task 1

Kuching City at Night

Hi! Welcome to my blog. First of all, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Wendy. I am turning 19 years old this September. I am a female and my hometown is Kuching, the city of cats in the Malay language. Kuching is one of the major cities in Sarawak which is one of the 14 states that forms Malaysia.

My favorite pastime is surfing the internet and watching movies. Besides that, I enjoy shopping, vacation, and hanging out with my friends. My family consists of my father, my mother, three elder sisters and myself. Therefore, I am the youngest. Currently, my parents are still living at my hometown back in Malaysia while my two elder sisters are living in England. As for my third sister, she is planning to join my two elder sisters in England to pursue her degree.

On the 14th of June 2007, I touched down on Christchurch International Airport to continue my education in Foundation Studies. How long am I going to stay here? Well, it all depends on the situation when I complete my degree. If luck is with me, I probably can get a job here after I graduate. On the contrary, I will probably pack my bags as my visa expires.

Reference: Sarawak, I. C. (2007). Kuching City at Night. Retrieved 4 July, 2007, from http://www.intisar.edu.my/en/Kuching.asp