I recently received my diploma for my master of public policy, capping off my two year academic stint in New Zealand. I can't believe time flew by so fast. It seemed like only yesterday when I applied for postgraduate studies at the University of Auckland and scholarship with the New Zealand Embassy. Today, I have my Post-Graduate Diploma in Arts with Merit on Development Studies and a Master of Public Policy with Second Class Honours First Division.
I'm thankful to my wife Ria and daughter Bea for allowing me to pursue postgraduate studies abroad. I am extremely lucky to have a partner who supported me 100% of the way and sacrificed so much by taking care of our daughter and running our household, all by herself. I hope I can return their love and affection. I am grateful as well to my mom Aileen and dad Roque for their support, and to the rest of my family for their encouragement.
Thanks are also due to my policy professor, boss, and dissertation supervisor, Dr. Julie MacArthur, for
her guidance and support. I really appreciate how she gave me the freedom to
work on my dissertation at my own pace, and at the same time be there for me
to check on my progress, review my drafts, and give sound advice on how to
improve my paper.
Lastly, I am extremely grateful to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and all who make up the New
Zealand-ASEAN Scholarships Programme (NZAS) for giving me this great
opportunity to obtain a post-graduate diploma and a master's degree at the University of Auckland. Rest assured that I
will use all that I learned in New Zealand to help my home country of the
Philippines.
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| My write-up in the University of Auckland website |
If you are reading this post while taking your postgraduate studies in New Zealand, and feel depressed, burdened and/or stressed with all the academic obligations, let me reassure you that this too will pass. You can make it! Good luck and God bless!
#parasabayan #parasaPilipinas
#parasabayan #parasaPilipinas
Hi Sir thanks for sharing your blog. Paano po kayo naka-avail ng dalawang grant? diploma and master's degree?
ReplyDeleteI applied for both Masters and PGDip. I got accepted sa PGDip (Condition kasi yung PGDip sa Masters course ko). My scholarship contract indicated that if I attained a B+ average with my completion of the PGDip, I may proceed to Masters. When I achieved that grade average, I wrote the embassy to allow me to finish my Masters. Hope that helps.
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ReplyDeleteThank you sir for sharing your experience :)
ReplyDeleteA trail of experience I may also have.
I hope one day, I could share mine as well..
#FeelingDetermined! #FingersCrossed #FeelingPositive
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ReplyDeleteIf you are a software engineer, it's possible that you don't need to take the post grad study route. I suggest you check seek.co.nz if your profession is in demand. You might find an employer who will sponsor you directly.
DeleteElated to know about these diploma courses. First divisional MPRE Practice Questions are superb. Will surely share their guides and supportive material for students interested in law careers. Got them through my sister. Actually she already had availed classes from one of the reputed centre online.
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