Student Comments

Tamami Kawono, Japan

I have been in New Zealand for two years, and now I’m in Year 13. I still remember my first day at Orewa College. I was so nervous and so worried because I couldn’t speak English at all and didn’t know anyone at school. But my life at Orewa College has always been wonderful and full of fun!! I really loved playing in school music groups – especially the Jazz Band.

What made my life here easy and fun was my awesome friends and great support from Judy O’Grady, Dean of International Students. She was always nice and helpful whenever I needed her. Everything here is just so wonderful – beautiful beaches, friendly people, a clear blue sky and Orewa College!!

I have done many wonderful things in New Zealand that I have never done in Japan. I really can’t believe that this is my last year and I will have to leave here in six months. I love Orewa College, my homestay family, my friends and New Zealand a lot!! I really think that I’m so lucky that I could come here and have such a fantastic time.

Andrea Nuno, Chile

In Orewa College you will find not only a school, but also a second home on your exchange to New Zealand. Everyone is very friendly and willing yo help you with everything. Orewa College offers you the opportunity to know the country where you are, organizing trips to different destinations inside New Zealand and giving you the chance to do activities such as surfing, water rafting, swiming with dolphins and much more!

With Orewa College you do not only learn, but also live the experience to know the beautiful country in which you are living.

En orewa college no solo encuentras un colegio, encuentras un segundo hogar en tu intercambio a Nueva Zelanda, todos son muy amigables y estan dispuestos a ayudarte con cada duda que tengas. Orewa college te ofrece la oportunidad de conocer el pais donde estas, organizando viajes a distintos destinos dentro de Nueva Zelanda y dandote la oportunidad de realizar actividades como surf, rafting, nadar con delfines y mas. Con Orewa college no solo aprendes, pero tambien vives la experiencia de conocer el hermoso pais en el cual estas viviendo

Adina Charpentier, Germany

I’m Adina from Germany. I actually intended to stay in NZ for 1 year but changed my mind quite early that I want to stay for longer. The reason for that? I made heaps of friends, loved my hostfamily, Orewa College was a terrific school and Orewa is a nice little town not too far away from Auckland City.

Orewa was at the beginning something different to what I was used to but hey that’s what you are here for! You are here to get to know new things and make the best of it. I’ve done so many fantastic things in NZ which i could have never imagined!

Coming to NZ was the best thing that could have happened to me! It changed my life and I finally found the person I really am! It’s been a fantastic time, Judy O’Grady did a wonderful job and makes you feel comfortable even if you are in the worst situation! People are so relaxed in NZ and not in such a rush as in Germany and other countries, which is pretty good. School honestly just rocked my socks, even the teachers sort of became your friends, it was so much fun and now that school’s over I really miss it, sounds weird but its the truth. There are always going to be ups and downs in your life but these 1 ½ yrs in NZ have been the time of my life whiich I will never forget and I will definitely be back!!!

Matteo Nesello, Italy

Orewa was awesome, no traffic and a calm place with beautiful bays and beaches. The school was cool, totally different from my home country.

At school I really like my media studies subject where I had so much fun making an entire movie (about 10 minutes) with a friend.

I had the opportunity to do some activities that I couldn’t even imagine before my visit such as Zorbing and the Luge in Rotorua.

My time at Orewa College was certainly one of the best experience of my life – a dream became real!!

Thiago Alves, Brazil

I have been at Orewa College for seven months.

I’m having a great time – this is a very nice place to live – calm and peaceful by the beach – but Auckland is a short bus ride away if you want to visit the city.

Orewa College offers many opportunities to get to know the surrounding areas and do things like surfing, snowboarding etc.

Jin Sol Lee, Korea

I’ve been at Orewa College for four years and I’ve experienced a lot of things at school.

Orewa College is the best school I’ve ever seen because there are kind teachers that I can talk to, to help with my work or any problems I have. I really like school extra curricular activities – it makes me communicate with people from other countries. I’ve done debating, orchestra and badminton.

I think Orewa is a safe, quiet place compared with the North Shore. You can relax and enjoy the environment such as the beach, bush walks and parks.

Orewa College is an absolutely fantastic school. You get a lot of benefits while you’re there – so come and try it!!!

Watinee Yamchote, Thailand

Hi, my name is Watinee but I like to be called Ploy. I’ve been at Orewa College for two years and have been very happy. To start with I was a little bit nervous but now have many friends from other countries and also kiwi friends.

In the weekends I go out with my friends to the beach and shopping centre. I love watching rugby and often go to the college rugby games in the weekends.

I find it easy to make friends as New Zealand is relaxed and friendly. I like school in New Zealand because we don’t have as many subjects as in Thailand, so we can learn more about each one.

Rosa Espino, Panama

One of the reasons I chose New Zealand was because of my interest to learn the English language.

It was a surprise for me to find so much beauty in this country and such friendly people.

In Orewa College you can find whatever you need for a successful exchange. At the end you will not want to go back home. Believe me, that happened to me.

Theresa Franz, Germany

I’m Theresa from Germany. Originally I planned to stay for a year at Orewa College, but after just two months I realised that I definitely wanted to stay for as long as possible. I am now in my second year in this school and I really love everything! (except New Zealand sausages!!!!). People are so relaxed and life isn’t too stressful.

I made the best decision of my life to come here and I will definitely be back.

Amongst the things I have enjoyed have been playing for the Year 13 Girl’s Soccer Team, my friends, my host family and school life.

Daniel Paukner, Germany

My name is Daniel Paukner, I am 17 years old and I was an exchange student from Heidelberg, Germany.

I learned weaving during my six months I spent here in New Zealand.

At the beginning I started with easier things like the putiputi (small flower) and after that I went on to some harder things like the whariki (mat) or the kete (small bag). I really enjoyed the time in Maori class and I had a really great teacher.

Lisa Chen, China

Hi I’m Lisa Chen from China!

This is my second year at Orewa College. I am studying for NCEA Level 3 and am planning to go to university next year.

This is a very nice environment for study – the teachers are friendly and helpful and I like Orewa town as well. It is safe and clean and not too far from Auckland city.