Tuesday, July 28, 2009

' Sideshow'

'Comparing home and New Zealand'

I think that New Zealand is very different than my country in many ways.Saudi Arabia is busy and populated country.The main different for me is that in Saudi we have a busy streets until late and we do not close shops early.In the other hand,in New Zealand is opposite,therefore,it is a quite place with small population.In Saudi Arabia I used to use my car while here I have to catch the bus or walk.Therefore,I became more independent by being in NZ and I can live by myself and do what I need such as,cooking or wash my clothes.The weather is another difference so I left the hot and dry weather at home to the cold and changeable weather in NZ.I think this is the main differences between home and NZ

My Game

Monday, July 27, 2009

'Studying'

The courses that I am taking in Foundation Studies are World of Business, statistics and English in the fist semester.Now,in the second semester I have Strategic Management and marketing,Accounting,Economic and English.I chose world of business because I studied it before at high school,therefore,I have a knowledge that will help me in my study.In addition,I like to read about business and economic affairs and this was my decision.This subject gives me a brief description of the business world that will be very useful.English course is important that is my second language and I must understand it.It helps me even after I graduated because I travel a lot and English is international language that helps me to communicate with others.
In my opinion,I do not think that family or friend opinion is very important,therefore,it recommended to talk with them to get an idea.In the other hand,I took the courses that interest me and what I want to study.Beside I like what I chose,it is easy for me.It also opens a good future job because many companies in my country are offered Opportunities to work.My major is management and my courses are useful and can help at University.My ambition is to become a successful businessman or manager of a company but I prefer to do and manage my own business.

'Departure'





My farewell was sad and I do not like this moment because I left my country and I will be alone for the next 6 months and that was my plan in New Zealand.
There were not any parties or celebrations by friends and family because of my travel arrangements.Furthermore,After I booked the airline tickets and I received the confirmation from CCEL,I started to organize my baggage and read about New Zealand,as a result, I was very excited and ready to go.However,the days prior to travel date was fast and I did not feel that.In my way to the airport I was afraid of the length of the trip and what I should do in the stopovers.In the other hand,I was sad to leave friends and family.I left my country on 9 February 2008 from Bahrain Airoprt because my the beginning of my journey was from there.The route starts from Bahrain via Dubai and Singapore on the way to Christchurch.The first flight from Bahrain to Dubai and took 45 minutes and I had five hours as a stopover.Moreover,I had my lunch there and I walked around the airport which was the 20th busiest airport in by passenger traffic and one of the biggest airports around the world.Therefore,I did not feel bored there because I used wireless Internet for the rest of the time.In the evening was my second flight to Singapore.In addition, it took ten hours in the air and I was sleeping most of the time.I also watched some movies for some time.I arrived in Singapore Early in the morning after the exhausting journey.I had a stopover there which was 13 hours and I was tired and bored because I thought that is my ticket covers accommodation.As a result,I slept on the chairs for some time and I walked around.Furthermore,I went to the departure terminal before one hour because it was in other terminal at the airport.I left Singapore at night to New Zealand in flight which takes about 10 hours.Finally, I reached Christchurch Airport and I did not met anyone so I called the school to send someone to pick up me.After that there were absence of organize and arrangement because we went to CCEL and I have to wait until 5 p.m. and I was very tired.In addition,you can imagine that no one There is no one waiting for me at the airport.Then I went to sleep in the home stay which was near the airport.I did not impressed when I arrived but I surprised about the simple life here.There was no difference between my hometown and Christchurch because it is a rural city.I studied for two months at CCEL because my plan was a course for six months before I got the scholarships which has changed my life.On April 2008 I got University exam and I started at Canterbury University In English Academic Course.Therefore,the University was excellent and great place to study.

Thursday, July 23, 2009



View Tarout Island in a larger map

Sunday, July 19, 2009

'Decision'


I decided to study overseas because of the spirit of ambition and challenge to go into a new experience outside of my country and I dreamed of this since an early age. I like English language when I was at school so I was the first rank in the subject.In addition,I have not had any real difficulties to travel into a country with different language and culture.Ministry of Higher Education scholarship program abroad at government expense.When I graduated in 2005 so that was a great opportunity for me.Furthermore,the idea was brilliant and it deserves praise for achieving the dreams of many students and urging them to study hard in order to get it.Moreover,thousands of students of both sexes submitted their applications through the website of the Ministry.After verification of the documents have been issued and after a long process,the students informed through mobile phones and electronic E-mail.Consequently,20000 students has been accepted and most of them chose to study in America and Britain.However,the ministry did not notify me to be accepted because I scored %89 out of %100 so I thought that there is a mistake in my case and I went to talk with the administration in the capital city Riyadh.Then, I was surprised because I could not find my name in the system and I tried to meet with the minister or any official , but to no avail.As a result,I went back home with a sense of frustration and sadness.I tried to forget what happened but I could not because many of the students not eligible for Scholarship due to their The proportion of secondary school under %80.After that I got the admission to study in the technical college.I studied for three months and then I tried to get a job but it was difficult at that time due to the high unemployment rate.Moreover,I found a job and it was at steel factory but I did not complete because its work conditions and low wages.After a period of time decided study abroad and it was matter of time to find what I need.I chose U.K due to its high education and my plan is just English course but I changed my mind because it is expansive and the long process of issuing visa.Furthermore,I went to an agency so they advised me to go to New Zealand and to be honest I heared this country's name but I did not where it is so I thought that this country somewhere in Europe and its capital is Auckland.I found out about New Zealand and I laugh about that and I did not even that there is a country after Australia in that zone.In the other hand , my family were satisfied and encouraged me with this idea and to go after 2 years I spent in travelling around without benefit.Therefore,I was able to finish everything from airline tickets, accommodation and the Institute of Language in two weeks.I spent these two weeks to read about where I am going and what to do there so I established my plan which was for six months to learn English language at CCEL.Actually,I did not think about it to much because my dream was to go overseas and learn,as a result,I was excited about that.I decided to go to New Zealand because it is cheap if we compared it to Europe or USA and it does not require a visa for the first three months and this was a good reason for me .I left Saudi Arabia on 11 February 2008 and I cannot forget this day when I say see you to my family and friends.After a long way I reached New Zealand and I was tired exhausted.Then,I achieved my dream and took a scholarship after I spent 3 years in waiting and a month before the date of my return home.Although,I felt homesick in many days , I was patient to achieve the intended.Finlay,I think I chose the right decision to come here because I am happy to be here now.New Zealand is a popular destination and a beautiful country.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

'Introduction'


Hi,this is a brief description about me.First,my name is Habib, I am 22 years old and I come from Saudi Arabia. I have been in New Zealand for one year and a half. Beside Arabic language I speak English and a little bit of French, Persian and Japanese. I have many interests and hobbies such as,horse riding,soccer,music and watching movies.Furthermore, my main hobby is travelling so I spent two years travelling and I have been to many places around the world.I live with my parents in a small island called Tarout Island which nd I have been to many places around the world. is part from Al-Qatif City in the east of Saudi Arabia.
My hometown has an attractive place which is Tarout Castle and it was built 5000 years ago Portuguese and still as amusing and fantastic place to visit.It also has the biggest fish market in the Arabian Gulf so the neighbouring countries buy from that market.In addition,many people do not know my hometown and do not believe that there is an island in Saudi Arabia.Finally, I have attached some pictures of my town.