Orientation Course

Between Monday, February 6, and Sunday, February 12, the Students' Association organised an Orientation course for overseas students. The aim was to give students from Asia and Fiji an introduction to New Zealand life, and aid in their establishment in a new cultural setting.

The following five lectures were given: "The Maori in Society," Mr N. Puriri; "The New Zealand Student," Mr T. Woodfield; "The Welfare State in New Zealand," Dr. W. Oliver; "These New Zealanders," Mrs C. Cole; "The New Zealand Economy," Mr W. Easterbrook-Smith.

Members of the University Maori Club assisted Mr Puriri with a demonstration of Maori dance and song. The group attending these lectures was small—consisting of thirteen Colombo Plan students— but discussion was effective.

A visit was made to the Dominion Museum and to the Freezing Works at Ngauranga. Particular interest was shown in the Maori section of the Museum.

From Friday until Sunday a camp was held at Raumati. The camp formed the nearest approach to the original ideal of the course and a deeper understanding and appreciation developed among those present. Thirty-four students from Asia, Fiji, and New Zealand attended. There was little organised activity and the time passed peaceably in swimming, sun-bathing, playing games, singing and talking.

Without the camp the course would have very little to show for itself.

The lectures were friendly and informative and achieved their aim —namely, to present some aspects of New Zealand life and to stimulate discussion. But the students, although possessing theoretical knowledge about New Zealand, had not the opportunity of meeting New Zealanders. The camp provided this opportunity and the prevailing atmosphere of easy informality and willingness was witness to its success.

By means of such a course as this, overseas students are provided with a foundation which their predecessors of two or three years ago did not possess. The aim now, or indeed, the necessity, is to make it easier for students to attend such courses and to encourage New Zealand students to participate. —D.W.