Yi Xin Heng

"I want to be a social worker as there are many who suffer from social and economic injustices. The role of a social worker is to advocate for a person's rights and facilitate one's access to resources through a trusting relationship.

"I love the combination of theoretical and practical experiences we get. For example, I completed a three-month internship with the New Zealand Red Cross for my social work practicum and learnt about the resettlement journey of former refugees in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“A Public Service Commission Scholarship, from the Government of Singapore enabled me to pursue my undergraduate studies in Social Work here at the University of Auckland.

“The University of Auckland has a distinguished education and social work faculty. There is considerable diversity and expertise which can be seen in how the lecturers have worked in a variety of fields such as mental health, child poverty, grief and loss, and much more. Many of the lecturers are still active in academia and advocacy and studying at the University of Auckland is giving me a chance to learn the best practices from them. The University also invites international speakers for panel discussions, making me feel assured that I will be intellectually stimulated in my time here.

“Living in in University accommodation is a great way to make friends. Parnell Student Village, where I am staying, is located close to Auckland Domain, which is Auckland’s oldest park. This means that I have access to green spaces whenever I need a break from studying. The resident advisers organize a wide range of activities, from international potluck to movie marathons.”

“Auckland is definitely the best place to be in New Zealand. Think – people from all over the world, learning from experts, a great place for adventure and comfort."