26 July, 2013

International students’ visit will help restore confidence in Christchurch

When five students from the Republic of Korea arrive in Christchurch on Sunday they will have an opportunity to experience a safe city working towards a vibrant future.

Their arrival follows the announcement of three-week scholarships by Mayor Bob Parker at a function hosted by the New Zealand Ambassador to Korea Patrick Rata in Seoul in March 2013.

Mayor Bob Parker says that strengthening the relationship in the Korean international student market is an important part of spreading the word globally that Christchurch is a great city to visit, live and invest.

“We welcome these students to our city. As part of their Christchurch and Kiwi experience we want them to be able to make the most of a wonderful educational and life opportunity so they can return home and tell others about what we have to offer here.

“The relationships we establish with students today can set in place the foundation for enormous future benefits for the city. Contact with these students often continues for decades, and they can of course spread the word about what we have to offer here. They in turn help us in our understanding of Korea and Christchurch’s place in the global community.”

The Christchurch Educated scholarship was intended to be for three students but the calibre of the students applying was so high that five students will travel to Christchurch.

Deputy Chair Songpa-Gu Sister City Committee Mary Johnston, says the committee hopes this will be the first of many such visits to Christchurch, as the city looks to re-establish its international place as a provider of first class educational opportunities.

Kirkwood School Principal Philip Tappenden says there is a huge opportunity to all schools who host international students.

“At Kirkwood Intermediate we value the benefits our international students bring to our school; not only the differences in language and culture, but the similarities between people that show, really, we are all the same in many ways.”

www.ccc.govt.nz/sistercities
www.christchurcheducated.co.nz

Background information
Christchurch and Songpa-Gu have been Sister Cities since 1995 and Korea Day is celebrated in Christchurch annually. In 2012 New Zealand and South Korea marked 50 years of diplomatic relations with cultural performances being held in Christchurch.

Songpa-Gu, meaning 'a hill of pine trees', is a district in South Korea, 15 kilometres from the capital city of Seoul. It is next to Gangnam District which was the focus of the recent pop single ‘Gangnam style’.

August is generally the warmest month in Songpa, with temperatures averaging 30 degrees Celsius.

In 1988, Songpa-Gu was the centre of the Seoul Olympic Games. Songpa has six world-class art troupes which develop and expand local culture and art.

In 2009 Songpa-Gu won the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) LivCom Award for the 'Most Liveable City' and is also one of the world’s safest cities according to the United Nations World Health Organisation (WHO).

ENDS

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