OPENING DOORS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
At Massey Campus, community accounting is gaining momentum. Students who had previously joined the programme are now stepping forward as peer connectors, recommending meeting spots, introducing friends, and sharing their experiences. One student reflected: “I finally feel I have something meaningful to put on my CV – this gives me confidence for job hunting.”
The challenge many international students face is a lack of local networks. The success here is not only about learning to apply accounting skills in the real world, but also about building connections and mutual support.
WHAT I’M SEEING AND HEARING
Across the campus and community, I see a growing hunger for practical, real-world experience. Students want more than technical training – they’re asking for:
- Opportunities to communicate with non-accounting backgrounds.
- Guidance on job-hunting strategies in New Zealand.
- Ways to form peer networks that reduce the loneliness of being an international student.
- Emerging leaders are the students themselves, stepping into roles as mentors for the next cohort.
CULTURAL CONNECTOR TIPS: WORKING WITH INTERNATIONAL STUDENT COMMUNITIES
- Respect the courage it takes to step out – many are shy at first but thrive with encouragement.
- Emphasise soft skills – communication, teamwork, and cultural awareness matter as much as technical ability.
- Support peer-led leadership – students trust other students who’ve “been there before.”
- Acknowledge job-hunting stress – create safe spaces to talk about careers.
- Be mindful of networks—international students often lack family connections here; programmes become their surrogate network.
REFLECTIONS FROM THE FIELD
Meeting students on campus reminds me why community accounting matters. For me, it’s not just about financial literacy; it’s about giving international students a place to belong. Many told me they felt invisible in New Zealand until this programme gave them a way to contribute and connect. As someone who also knows what it’s like to build networks from scratch, I see myself in their journey. Watching them grow into leaders, and seeing them support one another, is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.
This story shows that community accounting is more than numbers – it’s people, networks, and confidence building.
Written by Eva Chen (ANCAD)