Macleans College hosts students from Italy
Posted on September 13, 2023
A group of 21 students from Bologna, Italy spent the past three weeks based at Macleans College as part of a short-term stay in New Zealand.
On arrival at Auckland International Airport, accompanied by their teacher Mr Edoardo Berardi, they were greeted by Macleans College International Department staff Ms Ping Yu and Mr Patrick Lau. Their next destination was the Bentley Pavilion for a lunch break and to undertake orientation and a campus tour of the school.
The Italian students were placed within different whānau houses and varying year levels, so that they could truly experience school life at Macleans College. The Macleans College student ambassadors did an amazing job at making the visiting students feel welcome.
The Macleans College International Department organised several trips for the Italian students.
- A visit to Maraetai Beach where they took a beach walk, enjoyed lunch, played ball sports and relaxed in the sun
- A day at Woodhill Mountain Bike Park and the tree-top challenge course at Tree Adventures
- Some retail therapy at New Zealand’s largest shopping centre, Sylvia Park
- A ferry trip from Half Moon Bay to Auckland City, and a second ferry trip to Tiritiri Matangi Island. While on the island the students learned more about New Zealand’s native birds and the importance of conservation practices.
Mr Edoardo Berardi also organised a range of weekend trips.
- A visit to the Hobbiton village movie set and the Hamilton Gardens
- Exploring the sea life at Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium and enjoying the waterfront views of Rangitoto Island from Mission Bay
- Discovering the story of New Zealand, its place in the Pacific and its people at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Visiting Westfield Newmarket shopping centre. Attending a rugby union game, Auckland vs Canterbury at Eden Park.
Before returning home to Italy, the students attended a farewell event where they were presented with a certificate, a kiwi bird soft toy and a copy of the school magazine to remember their time at Macleans College.
