it's your right to vote...

SO VOTE NOW!

Log on to http://www.elections.ousa.org.nz

Answer "Yes" to "Are you an international student?"

NZ Permanent Residents are allowed to vote for Int'l Students' Rep. as well.

And cast your vote for the person you can count on, Darren Lee...

You can vote from the comfort of your own home or at any of the polling booths set up in and around campus.

Let's get voting!

the solution was not that simple after all

my apologies.

After communicating with the representative of the Muslim University Students' Association (MUSA), I have come to discover that a permanent room booking that functions as a prayer room for Muslim Students will not be sufficient.

I have come to understand that a majority of MUSA's members have their lectures at St. David's and are also based in the Language Studies/Foundation Building.

I will work with Timetables Department to allocate rooms in the St. David's building according to the specific prayer times for Muslim students.

I will also work to propose that the University allocate rooms in the new building they have recently purchased to include prayer rooms.

I will also continue to work with and consult the University Chaplain, and the religious groups concerned to work out a plan and possible solutions to this issue.

I still hold firm to the belief that religious groups on campus play a significant role in providing care and support to international students and I will work hard to support them and include them in my planning and decision-making process if elected as International Students' Representatives.

The International Students' Rep. should not just focus on cultural pursuits but encompass all aspects of what it means in being an international student. I am that person for that job.

Vote Me, Vote Darren Lee

the society of the year reward system

Currently, societies that wish to be in the running for this award have to accumulate points throughout the academic year and the society with the most points is declared the OUSA Society of the Year.

The current points system works well in the sense that is standardises things to enable a smooth decision-making process.

However, I believe that societies or even clubs that come out first and second runners-up should also be given a token reward to acknowledge their efforts and contributions. Otherwise, it would be a waste of money for the societies to have forked out funds to organise events just for getting the points only to come out second and not receive anything. A small reward for 2nd and 3rd places will also let societies know how much more effort they need to put in to contest the award for the next year.

I hope to propose this idea to the Clubs Development Officer and Clubs & Societies Council. Vote for me, and I will ensure a that the rewards for Society/Club of the Year awards are based on a system that commends the efforts of each club/society.

here's an idea...

After having a discussion with the President of the Otago University Taiwanese Students' Association, I feel it is necesssary to promote further interaction between cultural societies to foster a united international students' community here in Dunedin.

One of the ideas is a social sports meet for cultural societies to get together, play some sports, meet new friends, and after that enjoy some refreshments.

I'd like to see this happen as sports is an easy way to get students involved and it also ensures people have fun at the same time. Perhaps, societies that participate can garner points not for winning but just for participation and these points will go toward the Society of the Year Award.

Also, most international students don't join the sports clubs as they don't want to get too involved in serious competition. I think organising a social sports meet will help foster ties between diverse groups of people and provide the opportunity for international students to partcipate in sports in an environment they are comfortable with.

Vote for me, Darren Lee, and we'll make it happen.

Sweet!

let's not forget...

THE EXCHANGE STUDENTS!

Exchange students, vote for me and you will not be forgotten.

I believe that exchange students add a vibe to the student community here in Dunedin. More often, they are independent minds who plan quick weekend getaways to see the country and also know how to have heaps of fun!

If elected, International Students' Rep., I'd like to get exchange students involved in the International Students' Council.

Sure, they may not have as much of a vested interest as compared to students who are here for the entire duration of their degree, but I still believe that they can bring in different views and opinions on certain issues which may be helpful in running an effective international students' council.

I also plan to organise events catered to exchange students. Some ideas include a formal dinner for all semester exchange students. Most balls and formals are held in the second semester. As such, I think it is fitting that a formal dinner is organised so that first semester, exchange students can dress up and have a grand night out with their friends over dinner and drinks.

a proposed change to the OUSA grants system for cultural groups

If elected as your International Students' Representative I plan to propose to the OUSA Exec for a fairer grants system for affiliated clubs & societies.

Of course, I will also work with the Finance & Services Officer, Clubs & Socs Rep., and the OUSA Clubs Development Officer to see if this plan is feasible.

I propose that the grants funding pool be divided into two separate pools of equal amounts - one for sports-based events, and the other for cultural events/ events for affiliated societies.

I believe that this is necessary as the needs and goals for the cultural groups or societies differ from those of the sports clubs on campus.

A sports club may be able to represent the university at a national level and a cultural group may not but a cultural event that it organises in Dunedin might have an overall positive effect on the local community which in turn must be a good thing for OUSA's image and name.

I can't promise to make more changes but I can promise to table it to the Exec and work on it.

religious groups on campus

I believe that student religious groups on campus have a key role to play in supporting international students. These groups provide a sense of stability, belonging and help new international students find friends and establish contacts.

Support
I would like to see that these groups, especially those with a large number of international students as their members, receive additional support from OUSA. Specific groups include Living Buddhism, Muslim University Students' Association, Dunedin Overseas Christian Fellowship, and the Dunedin Chinese Methodist Youth Fellowship just to name a few.

Muslim Students' Prayer Room on Campus
I plan to action upon a promise that was not fulfilled. I plan to set up a Muslim students' prayer room in a central area on campus. This can be done at the Clubs & Societies building through their permanent room booking system. One room will be for males, and another for females.

A Multi-faith Prayer & Reflection Room
Down the line, I hope to work with the chaplaincy services of the university to establish a multi-faith prayer room or if there are no resources, perhaps an hour's time slot in a room where students of all faiths and beliefs can come in to an environment that is peaceful and quiet for prayer and reflection.

I once had a stopover at Singapore's Changi Airport and was humbled that there was a prayer room for people of all faiths to congregate in their individual space within a room to pray.

I believe that this can be done. And I will do it.

my policies for cultural groups on campus

Cultural Groups on Campus
you have my support

I will support all affiliated student cultural groups on campus and all those seeking affiliation with OUSA.

I am able to relate to the leaders of student cultural groups as I myself have had the experience of running a fairly large and successful student society on campus in the past two years.

I want to and am very willing to work with Pacific Island cultural groups such as the Fiji Club, Otago Samoan Students' Association, and the Otago Tongan Students' Association to encourage their participation on an International Students' Council that is representative of all international ethnic groups on campus.

I believe that before interaction between International students and local Kiwi students is pursued, interaction between the various cultural groups needs to be initiated first.

I want to dispel with the stereotype that International students are Asian students. That is why I want to run an effective council where each ethnic group is adequately represented.

From the start, I plan to attend all cultural events, annual general meetings, and key events of each of the cultural groups on campus.

I will also work with OUSA events in an attempt to include cultural events on the overall events calendar so that groups get more exposure and better publicity.

I will always keep in close communication with groups and let them have a say in the organisation of International Student Council Events.

apologies for the irregular updates...

...there's been a whole lot of chalking going on!

seen the outline of the gingerbreadman on campus?

well, that's me and that's the reason why I haven't been updating this blog as regularly as I would have liked to.

please do accept my utmost and sincere apologies.

here's some pictures to show you what goes on behind the scenes when campaigning...

lying on the cold, cold ground in front of the Union building, while campaign assistant, Eugene, outlines my head...

Campaign artistic director Tina with the finishing touches. Note the trademark V-tick....

The chalkman 'holding' a banner in front of Archway lecture theatres...

The chalkmen unite...on the pathway from Union building...
Note the strategicaly placed ski-glove...That was Matthew's idea of artistic photography. I suppose the cold got to him.

So yeah, you get the message. Log on to www.elections.ousa.org.nz from Monday 20 August until 4pm Thursday 23 August.
If you're from overseas, click "Yes" to International Student and vote for Darren Lee as your International Students' Representative!

more political action i'd say...

Previous International Student Councils have focused solely on organising activities and events.

I believe that more can and should be done in terms of political action by the International Students' Council in terms lobbying the NZ government and other education agencies to increase funding for the support and welfare of international students here in New Zealand.

I intend to do just this if you elect me as your international students' representative. To achieve this, you need someone who is willing to stand up for our rights as international students... and I am just the person for that job. I am a confident public speaker, I encourage debate and discussion and I am willing to speak on your behalf.

I intend to possibly meet up with other International Student Representatives in other universities in New Zealand, or establish some form of contact and hopefully activate an active international students' council at national level.

I know this will take time to be established but I am willing to get the ball rolling. My background in Political Studies will become of use in this matter.

We need to stand united and we need to have a strong voice represent us and our interests.

You can count on me, Vote Darren Lee

much ado about international fees 2

Part Two: The Plan

If elected as International Students Representative, I plan to propose for a revised international students fees structure to the university.

I also believe that the university should be more forthcoming in notifying international students with regards to a decision on whether and how much to increase international student fees is in the process of being made.

Decisions to increase international student fees are made during the academic year when international students are in the country. I feel that is necessary that the university affords respect to the international student community by notifiying them in advance and asking for their feedback to gauge the potential impact of a fees increase.

As for the revised fees structure plan mentioned above,

I will propose to the university to take into account and forecast possible increases in costs and inflation every year and set fees for students so they remain the same for the minimum duration of the course.

I will also propose to the university that if the student is eligibile and wants to pursue an Honours course after the minimum duration of study is complete, the fees should also remain the same as when the student firts enrolled.

Increases should not apply every year but only if the student takes longer than the minimum duration of the course and if the student decides to change course halfway through.

I cannot promise that this will happen but I believe this plan is a small step forward in tackling the issus against fees increases.

I am a confident public speaker and I speak fluent English. I will ensure that your views, thoughts, and feelings are expressed in a clear manner and that hopefully the university will have some heart in listening to our opinions.

much ado about international fees 1

International students pay, on average, about four times more than domestic students in terms of academic fees and other levies.

Previous candidates for the International Students' Representative position have always mentioned in their campaigns to "REDUCE FEES" or "PREVENT FEES FROM INCREASING." In my view, no sound action has been attempted or plans have been formulated to actually make this a reality.

In reality, however, there is no way that international fees can be reduced or that increases can be prevented. The composition of the University Council is such that the student body is not fairly represented on the council. As such, votes for increases always go through.

It may be true to some extent that fees for international students need to be increased to cope with rising costs in providing quality education but definitely not every year! Limiting the increase to a maximum of 5% every year is still not good enough. An increase is an increase no matter what!

In my view, the university fails to realise the impact of fees increases on the international student community. Whether an international student is funded by their family, extended family, or through government or corporate sponsorships, an increase each year can affect the amount of funding available to the student for the duration of his/her course.

The university should not take it at face value that almost all international students are funded by their respective governments and can continue funding their scholars regardless of the increases. There is a significant number of students funded solely by their parents or extended family members.

Otago University is a unique institution. Some new friends that I have come across this year have mentioned to me how surprised and appreciative they are with regards to the diversity o this university and how easy it is to make friends from different countries and cultures.

International students contribute significantly to the diverse atmosphere and vibrant culture that is unique to the Dunedin student lifestyle.

I believe the university should appreciate how much international students contribute in both academic and extra-curricular activities.

I believe more needs to be done to fight for our rights and interests as international students with regards to the issue of increasing fees.


It's no use just believing and hoping.
I have a plan and a plan that can be actioned upon.
Please do read on...

homesick? care for some hot chocolate, then?

Homesickness is by far the most common thing international students face upon arrival or upon attempting to settle into a new environment where customs and cultures are different to what they are used to.

Having to uproot from the comfort and stability from their homes, we face the daunting circumstances of having to meet new faces, make new friends, try new food, and at the same time having to juggle the demands of studies (for some of us, in a different language) and part-time work for extra pocket money.

Homesickness hits either directly upon arrival or midway through the year. The university has done a good enough job in providing material and services to students, both international and domestic, to cope and overcome homesickness.

But let's face it, no student is going to sit through and read a booklet on how to overcome it. And they're not likely to muster the courage to meet a counsellor or chaplain or mentor to reveal how they feel.

I've had bouts of homesickness if my first year in Dunedin. From my personal experience, I reckon the best way to overcome homesickness is to keep busy and active as well as interacting with as many people. The worst thing someone could when homesick is to retreat to their rooms after class and feel as though he or she is the only one feeling that way. Homesickness affects almost everyone.

I believe that the International Students' Representative should be proactive and creative in addressing the issue of homesickness.


If elected as International Students' Rep., I intend to organise and introduce a "Hot Cuppa Hour" for new international students. They will be provided with complimentary hot cups of coffee/tea/chocolate. This event will be held possibly every Monday and/or Friday afternoon for the first 3-4 weeks at the start of each semester. It will most probably be held in a room at the Clubs & Societies Centre.

This event will provide international students a comfortable, friendly atmosphere with which to meet with other international students and talk about anything and everything under the sun. I believe that this will alleviate any homesickness and will provide the new student with new friendships and contacts. It will also enable the International Student's Rep to truly engage with international students.

In addition, peer support members and international student mentors can attend this event with their mentees. Representatives of religious and cultural groups on campus will also be invited to drop by to promote their activities and events so that new students can find suitable groups and activities they wish to be a part of.


I believe this is a simple and realistic plan that can be achieved and it has the potential to help international students cope better with homesickness.

"there's an international students' council??"

This was definitely THE question of the day as I went around talking to some of my friends after the 2007 Annual General Meeting of the Otago Malaysian Students' Association.

Yes, there is an International Students' Council at our university. This council is convened by the elected OUSA International Students' Representative (ISR). Convention has it that the ISR selects a core team to head the council and the various affiliated and intercultural groups on campus are represented on the council as well.

The title for this post clearly sums up the perceptions people hold of the International Students' Council and the general public image of the council as a whole.

In my opinion, there is a need to further project and promote the image, role, and objectives of the OUSA International Students' Council.

Some of my ideas on how to achieve this, if successfully elected, are as follows:

1. Redesign the logo of the International Students' Council.
2. Possibly design and set-up a website for international students at Otago University.
   
3. Engage the international student comunity through regular newsletters and regularly updated blogs.
4. Organise events/activities in colloboration with various international groups on campus and in the local community. For example, the Dunedin Multi-Ethnic Group.
5. Set up an OUSA International Students' Council information board at the International Office and other key areas on campus.
6. Utilising local media such as The Star community newspaper to promote and publicise events and activities.

If you vote for me (Darren Lee), these will be executed from the start of the academic year to show international students that they have a fully functioning and effective International Students Council that really represents their interests as a vibrant and diverse part of the student body here at the University of Otago.

like the best campaign team ever...

If you can find me on Facebook, my status reads "Darren is loving his campaign team."
And truly I am. Not being actively involved in any extra-curricular pursuit this year has blessed me with the opportunity to hang out, sit back, and relax with people I never had the time to over the past two years. With them, it was always a little nod of acknowledgement to each other, a handshake, and a "Hi" and "Bye".

Unsurprisingly then, that these people have formed my campaign team for this year's elections.

• Elaine Koh (my most awesome better half)
  
• Eugene Goh
• Christina Chan
• Chee Beng Goh
• Matthew Wei
• Chullaka Hemachandra
• ....and of course unofficially, my biggest grassroots supporter....Siti Nurfatimah Ayuni

I called for an informal meeting at the Main Common Room yesterday just to go through some posters that had been designed for me. When I arrived, Eugene had arranged a set of four tables lengthwise to resemble a boardroom-like table. Haha.

Some ideas were thrown around. These included dressing me up as a superhero and walking around campus, painting Matthew's car orange, an A0-sized poster, composing a theme song, and a Spotlight shopping spree. I did have to remind them that candidates were only limited to spending $1000 for the campaign.

There were serious options put forward as well - focus groups, interest groups, responsive campaigning etc. Having said that, my Friday kicks off with a few meetings with the representatives of various cultural and religious groups on campus.

I don't have all the answers to everything so the best I can do is find out what people want and try my utmost best to action upon and deliver those promises.

Dunedin & a Dilemma

Moving to Dunedin wasn't easy!

Visa complications meant that I was delayed in my arrival. I finally arrived in the beginning of March, missed out on O-Week and missed out on the first week of classes. It was a very very daunting experience eventhough I had been to the country before.

On top of that, I wasn't aware of having to sort out insurance before I could course approve. Hence, my course approval process was delayed even further. Talk about being thrown in the deep end! What I went through was definitely an International Student's worst nightmare!


My first year was a rather subdued and quiet one. It took time to settle in. In high school, I was treated by my friends as one of them. In uni, I had to face the fact that I was different. I was treated differently and I found it difficult once again. It was difficult to integrate and be part of the local Kiwi student community. I didn't want to establish a whole new identity, I wanted to hold on as much to the person I was but yet I wanted fit in.

In my second year, I threw myself in the deep end and got involved in a leadership position with the Otago Malaysian Students' Association. I was president for two years and had an awesome time learning the ropes in managing a rather large student society. I made heaps of friends and contacts and it's now great to see some of them starting new societies or trying to keep some of them alive! It's a challenge, no doubt, but it's a wonderful experience.

Some of them have now graduated and are working but the memories that we shared function as a superglue that bonds us together. An OUSA Society Administrator Award and a Gold Award for cultural pursuits are testaments to my skills and abilities.

In such a short time here, I've been there and done that.

I want to share my experiences with all international students as I know how difficult things can be but there are ways of making your time here in Dunedin an enjoyable one.

And now I feel it's time that I effectively represented international students at this university....read on...

From Kuala Lumpur to Tokoroa

I was born and bred in Malaysia, very much a multicultural society. I grew up in a diverse household as every now and then, I had relatives from all over the world come to visit. I have siblings and cousins and in-laws based all over the world - Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, U.S.A, Australia, Namibia, England, Ireland, Dubai and the list goes on.

In 2003, after completing my high-school education in Malaysia, I left home to New Zealand as a participant on the American Field Service (AFS) intercultural exchange programme. I was randomly placed in the small town of Tokoroa and studied at Tokoroa High School for a year. Being away from home for the first time was definitely difficult but at the same time I knew I had to make the most of my experience.

The first few months were very very difficult. I missed home. I missed my family and I missed my friends. Living with a Kiwi family on a farm was an awesome experience but it was still difficult to feel completely at home. Tokoroa was a rural town and I came from a city back in Malaysia. Culture shock smacked me right in the face.

As the weeks went by, I made the most of every opportunity that came way in school to keep me busy. I played soccer for the school's senior boys' soccer team; took part in the national Sheila Winn Shakespeare for schools festival; milked cows, and so on.

I was exposed to local Maori traditions having been welcomed on to the school's marae through the formalities of the powhiri. There was also a large Pacific Island population in Tokoroa and through new friendships, I learned about their culture and history.


Being an exchange student was not all fun and games. I had to do my fair share of studying too. I took Geography to learn more about New Zealand. I had to undertake a massive project where I presented several proposals for the future of Tokoroa's skate-park. I was stoked when I found out the project was placed as runner-up in the Massey University national bursary geography project.

Towards the final few months of my stint as an exchange student, I changed host families and spent summer at Whitianga where I went fishing and pretty much lazed under the sun.

All in all, I had my fair share of both positive and negative experiences being away from home for the very first time. I know what homesickness feels like but I also do know that the best way to face it is to make the most of every moment you have.

I grew to love New Zealand and I knew that the only way to convince my parents to let me stay here was if I pursued some form of tertiary education.

What better place to choose, than the best student city in the world...Dunedin!

Welcome!

Kia Ora!
Welcome to votedarren.blogspot.com.
I suppose it's safe to presume that you visiting this blog indicates that you have an interest in the issues that concern the international student community here at the University of Otago.
I have an interest too and a keen interest at that.
As you may or may not know, I am running for the post of International Students' Representative at the OUSA Executive Elections which run through over the course of the next two weeks.
Over the coming week, I will post up my plans, policies and ideas I intend to implement if successfully elected as the next International Students' Rep. for 2008.
I will also keep you updated on key events througout the election period such as candidate debates and other exciting stuff of the like.
Feel free to post any comments, email me, or ask questions about what I can do for you.
My plans and policies are not set in stone and I am open to new ideas that you may have.
This is a democracy, so feel free to say anything here!
Anyways, I'm off to get my photo taken at Critic for the candidate blurb that appears in the Critic magazine either on Monday 13th or 20th of August.
Catch you later!