From a New Zealand school to a top Korean University: Anna Cho’s pathway to academic success

Today Anna is studying Nanoscience and Engineering at one of South Korea’s top universities. Her acceptance felt like a dream come true. Yet, Anna believes the real foundation was laid long before— at a local High School in Auckland, in New Zealand’s North Island. 

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Anna spent four years in New Zealand studying at Auckland’s Carmel College, a place that shaped her thinking — and her future. She found the teaching style here so different from back home. Teachers didn’t just teach; they spoke with students, invited questions, and encouraged debate.  

Initially Anna was nervous about speaking and writing in English, particularly when it came to writing essays, so she asked her English teacher for help. She was surprised at how friendly her teacher was and how she took time to offer Anna feedback. Anna believes that those one-on-one sessions with her English teacher really helped accelerate her learning. She learned how to think more deeply about things, not just study textbooks. 

Anna tells a story about how she sat next to a Kiwi student on her first day and how that student invited her to lunch with friends. She was amazed at how friendly everyone was and how welcome she felt. She didn’t feel like a foreigner at all. 

The international team at her school provided a strong support system, helping her make many friends. It gave her the confidence to try new things. In her spare time Anna enjoyed playing badminton; she joined social clubs and volunteered at a local charity shop where she distributed food to the homeless. These experiences taught her leadership, teamwork, and social responsibility. They gave her stories—and maturity—that set her apart in her university application and personal statement. 

New Zealand isn’t just a great place to study — it’s a great place to live and connect to nature. New Zealanders enjoy a great work/life balance, it’s a safe country and everywhere you look is like an outdoorsy playground, meaning you have many wonderful ways to fill your free time. Anna found peace here and opportunities for personal growth. She also enjoyed learning about the indigenous Māori culture and how Māori have strong spiritual bonds to the land.  

At the beginning of each school year students at her school were welcomed with traditional Māori songs and dance. Anna came to understand Manaaki Tanga — respect, care, and sharing — and how New Zealanders integrate Māori culture into their lives. It gave her a sense of home and belonging. 

Anna’s dream job is to work at a place which is known for its expertise in Nano materials. Nano can be integrated into many different fields of science and Anna is excited to explore its possibilities. Now that she’s at a top Korean university she feels she’s on the right pathway to get the job of her dreams.  

Anna believes that studying in New Zealand helped shape her future. New Zealand’s unique style of teaching helped her develop the soft and hard skills she needed, not only to be accepted by a top university but also to pursue her chosen career. Strong communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills are highly valued by employers around the world and are transferable to many different careers. 

New Zealand is the ideal place to gain a world-class education, develop practical skills, grow your confidence, and launch your career in a safe, supportive environment.  The practical, hands-on way of learning will help you gain real-world experience and build valuable skills before you graduate.  The qualifications you’ll gain in New Zealand are highly regarded and sought-after by employers and other educational institutions around the world. All of New Zealand’s universities are ranked in the top 2% in the world by QS World University Rankings. New Zealand is one of the safest and most peaceful countries in the world, with a relaxed, outdoorsy lifestyle that supports wellbeing. You’ll have the chance to grow as a person, gain confidence and have a life experience like no other. 

Set your study journey up for success with a New Zealand education. It can open doors globally and allow you to pursue further education anywhere you choose around the world.