Herald scholars: Migrants conquer language, cultural barriers

When Xue Liang migrated to New Zealand five years ago with her family, she decided to work hard at school to "win acceptance".

Back then, the 17-year-old could not speak a word of English. Today she is Penrose High School's leading student, named dux and head girl this year.

This week, she won one of three Herald scholarships, worth $1500.

These are offered to students with special needs or from less advantaged backgrounds to help pay their tertiary fees.

"I was quite nervous starting school," Xue said.

"Because I was from a foreign country I wanted to do my best, to win acceptance into society."

Xue said she had to work long hours to gain top marks. Over the past six months, she spent two to four hours doing homework and revision each night.

"I don't find school that easy, but I just like working hard.

"If I'm not doing something I get bored."

Xue said her parents would love to support their only child through university, but had been surviving on benefits for the past four years.

Her mother, formerly a Beijing school teacher, has struggled to find work here because of her limited English. Her father has just gained his first job in NZ, working as a real estate agent.

"I was so excited to win," Xue said. "It's going to be a big help to me and my family next year."

Xue scored an average of 90 per cent in each of her end-of-year school examinations. She also played badminton for her school and was a member of the Cook Island cultural group.

Xue has applied to attend medical school at Auckland University and will find out next year if her application has been successful. If not, she plans to study health sciences, before reapplying.

Penrose High deputy principal Merv Bettridge said Xue had been a joy to teach over the past five years.

"She is also seen here as someone for the students to look up to."

Hamilton student Shaun Zhai is another scholarship winner.

The $1500 will help Shaun to achieve his dream of studying to become a genetic scientist. He had been worried about the financial drain on his family.

Shaun and his family migrated from Shanghai two years ago.

His father, William Zhai, has been unable to find work as a university management studies lecturer and the family have been living off his unemployment benefit.

Last year, Shaun gained four scholarships in his Bursary exams and got the second highest mark in the country for calculus, 99 per cent.

Despite his high marks, the 19-year-old returned to Hamilton Boys High School this year to improve his English and because he will not qualify for student loans or allowances until next year.

This year, he won an award for the debating team, an achievement that makes him confident enough in his English to carry on to university.

Assistant principal Terry Consedine describes Shaun as "an outstanding student who is a wonderful contributor" to the school.

Shaun has applied to Auckland University to study medicine, commerce and biology. He wants to become a genetic engineer.

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