New Zealand UNI:Auckland Institute of St. Helens

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Auckland Institute of St. Helens


ABOUT AUCKLAND INSTITUTE OF ST. HELENS :
AIS St Helens is a unique tertiary institution with a distinctive international focus. Since its inception, this developing Institute has attracted students and staff from countries around the world and now has developed a number of close relationships with leading educational institutions internationally. This network has advantages for both our international and New Zealand students.

Their undergraduate and postgraduate students experience expert personalised education. The learning and development of each student is guided by qualified and committed staff who see their primary role as mentors in helping students achieve success.

AIS St Helens have created learning pathways and support strategies are in place to cater for the different skills and abilities of individual students, maximising their opportunities to achieve their goals.

On each campus they ensure that a friendly nurturing environment balances and supports their rigorous and demanding academic programmes. AIS St Helens utilise a variety of monitoring mechanisms to ensure that the quality of their programmes is maintained at the highest international standards. Earning an AIS St Helens academic credential is a qualification for life, and requires each student to demonstrate a high level of personal commitment and integrity.

Studying at AIS St Helens is a uniquely rewarding experience.

Facilities

Library
AIS St Helens’ library holds a wide variety of books, journals, magazines, newspapers, audio and video tapes, and CD-ROMs and provides database access to support the Institute’s study programmes. There are separate reading and study areas allowing students to work quietly, individually or in groups. The Independent Learing Centre has computers with specialist software for assignments and self-study. As with the other computer suites on campus, there are facilities for sending and receiving email and browsing the internet. Photocopy facilities are also available.

Sports Facilities
AIS St Helens Asquith Campus has a fully-equipped gymnasium and sports arena. Sport and Fitness Coordinators are available in the gymnasium to design fitness programmes for students. Within the sports arena students can enjoy basketball, volleyball, cricket, badminton and
indoor football.

The Main Campus has tennis courts plus areas for basketball, volleyball and petanque outside, and is adjacent to the popular Chamberlain Park Golf Course.

Car Parking Facilities
The AIS St Helens Main Campus and the Asquith Campus boast plenty of free parking for students who travel to the campuses by car.

Shuttle buses are available from the AIS St Helens Main Campus to the Asquith Campus and the City Campus for students who choose not to travel by car or public transport.

Why Choose AIS?

International Education
Students and staff come from all over the world to study and teach at AIS St Helens. AIS St Helens's programmes are focused on the global marketplace and many of their students find work offshore after graduation. Due to the mix of cultures at AIS St Helens, students gain unique opportunities to learn, not only from books and lecturers, but also from their classmates. Many cross-cultural friendships and business ventures have developed within the AIS St Helens family.

Tailored Options
Students may choose to take International Business courses, Tourism Management courses or Arts courses, as part of their main degree or diploma programme, to meet their individual career aspirations. For example, a Bachelor of International Business student may undertake studies in Mandarin to gain an added advantage when working with Chinese-speaking business people.

Smaller Classes
AIS St Helens dedicated teaching staff enjoy personal contact with students and class numbers are kept low to maintain quality standards. Typically there are between 10 and 100 students in first-year degree classes. Compare this to classes of over 300 elsewhere. As a result, their students receive more personal attention and are more able to maximize their potential at AIS St Helens.

Nurturing and Support
Due to the smaller class sizes, their lecturers have the time to get to know students’ personal study needs. If a student needs extra help, a Study Skills Advisor is available to assist at their new Academic Success Centre. English language tutorials and support programmes are available for students who do not have English as their first language.

Fast-track Programmes
Their flexible three-semester system allows students to fast-track programmes. Dedicated students can complete a diploma or degree in a shorter time than at most traditional institutions, allowing them to enter the workforce more quickly.

Flexibility of Entry Dates
Students may start a programme in January, May or September, or on any Monday (except for the six-weekly test weeks) in the English Language Centre.

Foundation Programmes
Their foundation programmes allow students to gain valuable study skills and confidence before entering their diploma or degree programmes. Foundation programmes are particularly useful for students with English as a second language, and also suit those who have been out of the education system for some time, or those who have not gained the necessary qualifications to study at tertiary level.

Credit Transfer
Students applying to AIS St Helens from other institutions may apply for credit transfers once they have arrived to begin their studies. Programmes receiving credit recognition include the New Zealand Diploma in Business, several local and national business, tourism and IT diplomas at Levels 5 and 6, and programmes from partner institutions internationally.

Accommodation

The AIS St Helens Dormitory Accommodation, with fully furnished rooms, is situated at the Main Campus and they also offer a Homestay Accommodation service.
Students who require accommodation should request their preference for Dormitory or Homestay accommodation at least TWO WEEKS prior to starting their programme.

Dormitory
The AIS St Helens Dormitory, situated at the Main Campus, can accommodate 128 students in single and multi-share rooms. A dormitory application form should be completed by intending residents. The dormitory is out-of bounds to non-residents. Residents should ensure they have a copy of the Dormitory Handbook which contains all the information relating to this facility. Intending residents should book well in advance, as there is normally a waiting list for residency. One week's notice in advance is required to move out of the dormitory.
AIS St Helens Dormitory has three levels. The accommodation office is located on your right as you walk in the Level 1 main entrance of the Dormitory. The Level 3 accommodation is reserved for male students, whereas Level 2 is for female students only. Level 1 is for both male and female students. Number 25 Linwood Ave and number 30 Linwood Ave are also part of their accommodation.

The feeling of contribution to and gaining from group living as a key feature of life in a Dormitory, particularly on an international campus like AIS St Helens. There are opportunities for fun and companionship, for working, talking, relaxing and growing in a community of people of similar age and similar interests. There may be irritations and distractions too, but learning to deal with these, to understand different point of view, and to become tolerant of some aspects of human nature, is of considerable value.

Homestay

Finding A Homestay

Many students are keen to experience the Kiwi lifestyle while they are in New Zealand. Homestay accommodation can give them a good taste of it.

Homestays can be organised prior to arrival in NZ or some students chose another form of accommodation when they first get here, and later decide to move into a homestay. Either way, two weeks is needed to arrange this kind of accommodation.
AIS St Helens has an extensive list of approved homestay families to chose from and can organise placement for students. Those wanting a homestay should get in touch with AIS St Helens Accommodation staff.

Students must give one week written notice if they want to move out. Departure forms must be filled out and are available from Liaison and the Cashier.

Homestay rates cover accommodation, breakfast and dinner daily and lunch at the weekends. A member of the homestay family is required to escort students to and from AIS St Helens on their first day.

Homestay payments are usually paid by AIS on behalf of the student, however some students prefer to pay the family themselves, directly. Both options are acceptable.

So you want to provide homestay accommodation?

Many Kiwi families welcome the opportunity to have students from other countries living with them. Homestays can provide everybody in the household with a taste of a new culture and can be a very rewarding experience all round.

Those interested in becoming homestay families for AIS St Helens should contact their Accommodation staff. The first question you'll be asked is where you live. If you live in the surrounding areas of Mt Albert, you'll be sent out a homestay application form and information pack.

Complete the questionnaire and send it back to AIS St Helens. A representative will then contact you to set up an interview and view your home.

When the interviewer comes to your house, she will check out the kitchen, bathrooms, dining-lounge and students' bedrooms to ensure everything is clean and that the students will have everything they require.

During the interview, she'll want to know exactly where the bus stop is from your home and how long it will take for students to get to AIS. Questions about other members of the family may also be asked. The interviewer will explain about meals, laundry, phonebills, household keys, emergency procedures and what to do when a students takes leave of absence. The payment system and different rates will also be discussed.

Host families are expected to escort students to and from AIS St Helens on their first day of school.
 
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