Abstract:

The article describes the introduction of the international students at the EIT’s Auckland Campus to Maori culture. The EIT’s international campus in Auckland has three departments: health, business and computing. The international students come from many different countries with the objective of studying and later working in New Zealand. The responsibility of the educational system is to support international students in their study. This support includes the academic, social and psychological well-being of students. One of the most important parts of international education is the acculturation of international students into New Zealand society. This includes the introduction of international students to our indigenous Maori culture.

The article describes an initiative at EIT’s international campus to introduce international students to Maori culture. This involves students participating in a Treaty of Waitangi course as well as spending the night at a Marae. The article evaluates this initiative using qualitative methods comprising a focus group with students and an interview with the organizer of the initiative.

The results suggest that international students overwhelmingly rated this experience as positive, uplifting, spiritual and in some cases similar to their culture. They indicate that international students feel that the indigenous culture of NZ is an integral part of their acculturation and that they no longer feel left out of this aspect of NZ culture. They welcomed sharing the food, knowledge and tradition of Maori culture which gave them a sense of belonging to New Zealand. The article finishes with suggestions for future work.

Keywords:

International education, Indigenous culture.