International Language Centre - Testimonials

Student Testimonials

Simon Ma (Ma Xingye), 19

Simon is from Nanjing, an old city next to the Yangtze River in China. He has been studying at Mount Aspiring for one year and will shortly return home to his Father Ma Qhn, and Mother Wn Tingting.  He recently passed his IELTS English language test, of which he is rightly proud.

"I used to have English lessons three times a week. And aside from that I studied Calculus, Statistics and Physics. I have worked hard this year, now I need a break. My parents didn’t really pressure me, they know I can manage myself. At times I have been quite tired from all the hard work, especially studying for my English exam.

I have eight months free time now.  I think I will work in a café in China until July. I have an interest in Art so hopefully I can also do some part time courses. Read English books I never got around to this year. Like the book Tuesdays with Morrie, that book taught me a lot I think.

Its time to take the responsibility (of adulthood) and it doesn’t scare me.  You have to have a plan for the next five years, ten years. You need to have long term goals. Its not really a meaningful life if you don’t do this.

This year changed me a lot. I used to be a city person, lots of city life and friends.  When I came here I found it is quite a good thing to do, to stay in the countryside, its totally relaxed and not much trouble to worry about.  Everybody knows each other and you say hi to everyone you see on the road. I made a lot of friends, and we went hunting and boating, lots of different activities. I think you always need two or three close friends, people you can tell everything to, people you can share your troubles with. The real friends stay when you go away.

In ten years? I should like to own my own company, based on a creative, original idea, it should be something different.  An internet company, production, it can be anything really.  I would like a wife but probably no children before thirty.

Values?  I always want to be helpful and available for others. Helping other people, not just making money or profit for yourself.  You should do something for the society or the community. I think my parents have these values also.

Grace Canada

Grace and her parents emigrated from the Philippines to New Zealand and settled into Wanaka.  She came to Mount Aspiring College with a positive attitude and made friends with everyone here.  She and her family only stayed with us for one year, as her parents now work in another part of New Zealand, but she certainly became a big part of our ILC (International Language Centre) family.   Here is a her goodbye letter to us which is very sweet and special.

"I left my family and friends in the Philippines but I brought a lot of memories to tell my new friends here in New Zealand.  Mabuhay! This is how we say our gratitude in Filipino language.  I don’t know how would I repay you for everything that you have done for me, you let me in as part of the College and as part of your family.

I should start it with a ‘Thank you'.  Thank you to Claire, Helen , Linda and Maree for giving me chance to learn and be part of the International Language Centre.  Thank you to Claire for letting me participate in every activity that you had going.  Thank you to Mrs Lewis for being patient teaching me every Monday and Friday even though sometimes I couldn’t really understand the topic, but I did try my best.  Thank you guys, for introducing Mount Aspiring College, Wanaka and New Zealand to me and showing me how lovely it is.

Thank you for teaching me to write a new chapter of my life. 

Here’s a Filipino flag, fresh from my country.  I would like to give this to you as a “thank you” gift, full of pride.  If I would have the chance to visit again, I will bring durian candies for Maree and bangle bracelets for Claire.

I know that we will see each other again and thank you for letting me tell you my stories."

Fred Zhang

"It really has been a wonderful and memorable time of studying in Mount Aspiring College. Both academic teachers and admin staffs are very warmhearted and patient, especially to foreign students.

School facilities are perfect, in particular the gym where we played so many amazying basketball games. Local students and people are very amicable and very hospitable, they really bring an ideal studying environment to all the foreign students. The International Language Center is very helpful, not only in the way of learning English, it is also a life guide to us. When I first came to Wanaka, I was living in a Host family (arranged by the language center) which gave me a great chance to learn English and local culture.

OK, let's talk about Wanaka. It is a fantastic town to live and study in and it is definitely a perfect place for the lovers of skiing. The image of snow-capped mountain and limpid lake in my head is indelible. There are many pubs in town, few bottles of Speight's and some pool games can help you to join the life of Kiwis. Well, I almost forget, there is bar called "Snack Shack" in front of the lake which makes brilliant chips, that's the best chips I have ever had so far!"

Parents Testimonials

Teresio Asola and Romana Violardo - Torino, Italy

Giulia Asola, our daughter, has been in Italy for more than two months now, after her two splendid Year 12 terms with Mount Aspiring College. She is still thinking back to her awesome experience in the gorgeous village of Wanaka, with a wonderful family, a superlative school and teachers so skilled, well organised and caring.

She’s still a bit sad right now, due to all the nice experiences she had with Mount Aspiring College that she’s missing so much now:  the new way of feeling and living the school hours, the sound pragmatism of MAC, the chemistry and biology laboratories (what an experience to study the animals’ organs, dissecting a real lamb!), the New Zealand bright, colourful spring, the Outdoor Pursuits, the adventures, snow-caving (what a night, sleeping in a cold but cosy self-built snow-cave!) and Kepler Track, kayaking, the environmental discoveries, the knowledge discoveries, the self discoveries, the IELTS exam at Otago University, the maturity trials to be faced everyday and last but not least the friends.

A once-in-her-life experience, never to be forgotten, for Giulia! A wonderful, unforgettable experience we, Giulia’s parents, have lived with Giulia indirectly for a semester, through Giulia’s fantastic photos and enthusiastic reports by e-mail or letter about New Zealand and the school.

Thanks so much, MAC. And a special thank you to all MAC teachers and all Giulia’s school-mates. We hope that Giulia will keep in touch with everyone and that she can meet again, one day, all her friends she’s made in Wanaka.

Tatania Teusch - Germany

Re: Allan Udeajah

Thank you so much for your nice words. Allan is very sad to leave New Zealand and Wanaka in particular.

After the first months of getting used to a new environment, which was sometimes hard for him he adapted himself and got integrated very well. We are very happy that he has become a part of Wanaka’s community and a part of his host family as you say.

And we are very pleased to see that he has utilised much of the opportunities he got and is now happier and more daring than anytime before.

This one year has added a new dimension to his view on life. He has discovered outdoor activities, triathlon and rugby, met many friendly, helpful and openhearted people and made many new friends. It will always remain in his heart. And who knows, maybe he will come back sometime!

 Anyway this unforgettable year is running out. We are looking forward to seeing our boy again and hoping, he will fit back into German environment quickly.

 Thank you once again for your guidance and warm care. It’s a very comfortable feeling to know that there is a person we can always rely on. THANK YOU for everything!! It could not have been better.

Bernhard Eberstadt - Canary Islands

Re: Nicolas Eberstadt

Hello Mount Aspiring College!

Nicolas has arrived back home and I would like to express my gratitude once more for your wonderful work. He has come back full of enthusiasm and wonderful memories of - what he calls - the best college and staff that he can imagine.

Also the country, its people and its nature have impressed him strongly in a positive way. In fact, I am afraid that he his having a bit of a hard time adapting to the conditions here again and he is sad that he had to leave his friends, your college and the country. He will definitely be back!

If you need anything from us (testimonials or else) or if you happen to "pass by" the Canary Islands, pls. do not hesitate to contact us!