Haoran Hu
(International Student at St Mark’s 2016-2018)
Hi Everyone, my name is Haoran Hu. As a previous international student at St Mark’s, I would like to talk about the time I have spent at this school and why I love it.
12 February 2016, was the day that I landed in New Zealand, back then I did not know how to speak English, I was ten thousand kilometres from my home country and I knew I was going to be alone. But the first day I arrived at St Mark’s, I realised I was so warmly welcomed and being taken care of. I couldn’t believe that everyone tried so hard to communicate with me, every teacher said hi to me when they saw me in school and helped me to know the place better, even though I had no English.
From there on, I started to have so much confidence and started to speak to everyone in English. I love St Mark’s because it started me off in New Zealand with a warm welcome.
The teachers at St Mark’s knew that I needed extra help with my language – my ESOL teacher spoke to me in a soft voice and helped me to understand – this made me feel safe within the environment.
When I was at St Mark’s I found the thing I will love for my entire life, music. In started learning the drums in May 2016 and practiced hard and joined the rock band and the jazz band as well! The Director of Music, Ms Anya Nazaruk taught me all the way through and the progress I made with her is huge!
Lastl, I want to say thank you to St Mark’s. I have learned so much within the years that I spent at the school, I cannot describe using my words how different I am now to myself back in 2016. I learned every day, I improved every minute, and I changed into a better self within the time at St Mark’s. As a previous international student here at St Mark’s, I welcome every new international student to come and join this wonderful community.
I love St Mark’s and I will love it forever, because this is the place where you will step onto the path of your future.