Sport translates well for international students at St Mary's

(l-r) Dream, Mai, Mirei, Isabel and Thatphicha have all joined sports teams while in New Zealand.

Playing sport doesn't just help with fitness, but it also breaks down cultural barriers and helps you learn a language, according to a group of young women who attend St Mary's Diocesan School in Stratford.

The five international students have each travelled over 9000km to attend the school, but all agree the distance is worth it.

"I like it here, all the nature around us. It is nice coming to a small town from a big city, everyone is so nice."

Mirei Kondo, who came to Stratford from Osaka in Japan two years ago, says she has settled in to the school and Stratford community well.

"Playing sport in teams has helped, as it is a way to meet people and to make friends,"
she says. She has joined school teams for basketball and netball since arriving here.

This year, all five students are playing in school teams, something Christine Hucker, dean of international students at the school, says is invaluable in helping the girls adapt to Kiwi life.

"By being part of the team they are learning more than just a sport. They are learning all the nuances of our culture here in New Zealand as they get to know their team-mates as well as the players on the teams they compete against."

Isabel Lee, who comes from Seoul, South Korea, says playing sport in a team is not something she would have done in her homeland.

"In Korea, we do physical education as a subject, but don't really play sport outside of that. I like being here and playing soccer and netball for a team, I think it is good to be active and not just study all the time."

Mai Oda, from Osaka in Japan, says she has made some good friends while in Stratford.
"They are very kind."

While she enjoys all her studies, especially English and science, playing team netball has helped her with language she says.

Dream Boonyongratanakul, comes from Bangkok in Thailand where she says she didn't play either netball or soccer, and now plays for a team in both.

"We play something a bit like netball, called shareball. Instead of nets you have baskets, which someone holds, for the ball to go into."

She says playing in a team has helped her make new friends while at school.
"And I like learning the rules as we play."

Thatphicha Sasimonton, also from Thailand, agrees. She says she enjoys her time in New Zealand, "especially seeing the farming," and playing netball and football has helped her meet new friends and learn more about her adopted country.

"It is good learning about sport and about Kiwi life. It helps us a lot."

Isabel says she and the other international students also love being asked about their own countries. I wish people would ask us questions if they are curious. We love talking about where we are from, just as much as we love learning about sport and life in New Zealand."
Christine says she is impressed by how well the girls have taken on the challenge of playing in teams this year.

"I don't think Kiwis always realise just how great a leap it is. They have come from a long way away, far away from their families and friends, and are living immersed in a different language and culture. Even the food is different.

So to take on a sport, and to play it at team level, is a real challenge. They have to understand a lot of sporting terms that are new to them, as well as think and act quickly while on the court or field. It is great they are getting the opportunity to participate in this as it really does help them settle here."