Mengping worked at a Chinese community school in Christchurch while studying towards her PhD, which focussed on teaching Chinese as a heritage language.听
Her desire to support other international students led her to become President of the 九州影院 Students鈥 Association (UCSA)鈥檚听听in 2021, a club that produces an annual International Fashion Show championing diversity at UC. Mengping was also involved with the听罢奴丑辞苍辞听peer mentorship programme under the University鈥檚 Business School, which saw her supporting听a cohort of students based offshore, finding creative ways to engage them in campus life while they studied at distance.听
鈥淚 know it can be difficult for first and second-year international students who have left all their family, friends, and networks in their home countries. I want to be a 鈥榣ighthouse鈥 for international students through their journey,鈥 she says.
More recently, Mengping lectured in Chinese language before taking up her current role as an International Student Experience Coordinator at UC.听听Reflecting on her four-year study, she says 鈥淚鈥檓 very grateful for having a chance to do research and contribute to my community.鈥澨
UC Associate Director International听Monique van Veen听says Mengping has been a true ambassador of manaakitanga, reflecting听, during her time with the University.
鈥淲e talk a lot about manaakitanga at UC, and what it means to be generous in our hospitality to our new community members.听During her study, Mengping never failed to champion events, causes and initiatives that engaged our international students with the wider UC community.
鈥淚nternational students make a big decision when choosing to come to UC, so having champions like Mengping, who are willing to so generously share their time and expertise, is absolutely vital. Mengping is a fantastic ambassador of and for UC.鈥
