The event was a great networking opportunity for EIT students.

EIT’s international team hosted their bi-annual Community Connect event. Song Sim, EIT International Support Officer, invited more than 35 different local community members, associations, ethnic and religious groups to EIT with the aim of supporting students getting to know the wider Hawke’s Bay community. 

While munching on pizza and finger food the students made the most out of the informal exchange with the Hindu, Muslim, Chinese, Malaysian and Russian communities, Citizens Advice Bureaus, Volunteering Hawkes Bay and other community groups, to name a few.

The purpose of the event is to support international students in expanding their network. “If people want to enter the workforce, it’s often not only about what you know but also who you know,” says Song who came to New Zealand from Malaysia three years ago.

“Our students should not only study but contribute back to the community. By socialising with different communities, the students learn about the Kiwi working culture, learn some new skills, improve their language competence and – very importantly – make new friends and expand their social circles.”