Don't Forget to bring Vicks

Pag malamig ang panahon, napansin ko na mas madalas hindi naliligo ang mga ibang lahi dito. Alam ko kasi lumalakas ang baho at putok ang naamoy ko kapag winter. Lalong lalo na sa graduate computer lab namin. Pag summer o autumn, hindi ganun ka sama. Meron paminsan minsan may uupo sa tabi mo na may amoy, pero oks lang. Lipat ka lang ng computer. Pero talaga pag winter, yung buong lab mabaho. Kahit saan ka lumipat, amoy mo yung hindi pagkaligo, or worse, yung putok. Mahihilo ka ng di oras. Ang panangga mo sa B.O. ay Vicks vaporub. Pahid ka lang ng kaunti sa may ilong mo para hindi mo maamoy yung baho. 

Ayun lang. Payong kapatid. Don't forget to bring Vicks.

Orientation at the University of Auckland

Some local Maori students perform the Haka for incoming international students

February is just around the corner, which means, for students in New Zealand, summer is ending and a new school year is about to begin. And like any other tertiary institution, the University of Auckland starts the year with Orientation Week. Let me guide you through it.

With other Filipinos in Auckland Uni. Yes, I was the only thorn among the roses (the other, Mike, was based in Tamaki).

Orientation Week started with me meeting other Filipino postgrad students at the Owen G. Glenn Building of the Business School. Aside from NZAS scholars, I learned that the ADB and the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) also sent students to New Zealand. 

Joan and I are both lawyers. She took up LLM while I took up PGDip in Development Studies.

The first day is the orientation for international students (both undergrad and postgrad). Before entering the auditorium, we were greeted by the traditional Haka dance performed by local Maori students. Nothing to be scared about. They don't actually hurt you. Haha. Afterwards, we were welcomed by the Vice-Chancellor--the highest ranking official of the university.

We're all given goody bags filled with pamphlets and flyers.

In the auditorium, Rebecca Wilkinton (the International Office Director) oriented us on what to expect in the coming year. 

That's Rebecca standing in front.

Yada-yada-yada. Lot's of talking. Don't worry about it. Anyway, after the international students orientation, there'll be the postgraduate students orientation and the respective faculty (arts, business, law, etc.) international students orientation. They're all pretty much the same, and from experience, you don't have to attend all. Kahit isa lang attend mo, okay na.

The Uni Guide is on the right (not the guy on the left).

Okay, what else? Ah yes, through out the week, students wearing red, called the Uni Guides, will take you on a tour of the buildings and facilities in campus. To be honest, I did not go on one. I was busy applying for my student ID at the International Students Office and opening a bank account at the nearby ANZ branch. But if you feel you want to, then go ahead. You can join any Uni Guide tour at any time of the day.

What I do recommend is to attend the library-sponsored workshops because they are informative and educational--especially for people like me who were unfamiliar with 21st century academic research. If you're not able to make the first seminar, do not worry. They hold the same seminar several times in the first month. Attend as much as you can. They have the general library orientation, one in IT access, another in using databases, then one on thesis drafting.  

That's pretty much it. Just to summarize, you can attend just one of the general orientation talks since they'll all say the same thing. But, I strongly recommend you attend all of the library-sponsored workshops because they are very informative.

PS: The guy next to me above is Brian Lythe. Yes, that guy you're exchanging emails right now. That's how he looks like.  Cool yan. :)

The Post-Graduate Centre

Arts Graduate Centre at the Human Sciences Building

Unlike in the University of the Philippines where students of the College of Law are secluded from undergraduates with all their classrooms in Malcolm Hall, postgraduate studies at the University of Auckland is different. Postgraduate students share the general library, the Kate Edger Information Commons, and classrooms with undergraduates. Not that there's anything wrong with that. It's just that it makes it harder for postgraduate students to study. It's hard to find a vacant cubicle. It's hard to concentrate with all the noise and the movement.

But don't you worry. Each faculty (or school) has its own computer lab exclusively for its postgraduate students. A student has to have a key card to enter. No card, no entry. Each lab, aptly called the postgraduate centre, houses just the right number of computers, photocopiers and scanners. A lab has its own toilets and pantry area.

Inside the Arts Graduate Centre

The degree I took was under the Faculty of Arts. Our lab was located at the ground level of the Human Sciences Building. The computers are fast. There are more than enough (except during deadline or finals week). And most important, the lab is a quiet zone. 

So if you find yourself not able to concentrate at the library or Kate Edger Information Commons because of the hustle and bustle, why don't you visit your faculty's postgraduate centre? 

Happy studying!

Friendly Information from the International Office

I am reprinting what the University of Auckland International Office gives out to international students at the start of every academic year. You might as well know it a few months before, right?

Student Services Online (SSO)

• SSO allows you to apply for admission to the University, enrol in classes, view your timetable, update your details and much more.
• You can look up your NetID/UPI in the update personal details section.
• If you forget your password, email onelogon@auckland.ac.nz

EC Mail

• All enrolled students are provided with a free University student email account called EC Mail. Your university email address is one of the University's official means of communicating with you. University communication (e.g. information about your courses, classes, exams, library notices and fees) are sent to this email address and you must check your EC Mail regularly. It is recommended that you link your EC Mail to your personal email address.
• Your email address will be NetID/UPI@auckland.ac.nz.
• Immigration New Zealand will communicate with you through your student EC Mail.

Printing/photocopying

• Cost: black & white - 10 cents per page; color - 20 cents per page
• To print/copy, you need your Student ID card.
• You need your student ID card to add money to your print and copy balances.
• You can add money to your copy and print balances at any of the IC Helpdesks or by using one of the self-service ePOS stations located on campus.
• To transfer money between your copy and print balances, go to: http://www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/cs-add-money
• If you don't have a student ID card, you can take your passport to IC Helpdesk on Level 2, Kate Edger Information Commons to add money to your copy and print balances.

Scanning

• Cost: Free
• Location: Level 0, 2, 3, 4 of Kate Edger Information Commons.

Internet Access

• Students have unlimited high speed access to all University websites and 10G data allowance for other websites.
• For wireless network, please visit www.auckland.ac.nz/wireless.

CECIL

• CECIL is the University's web-based Enterprise Learning Management System. All students enrolled in courses at the University of Auckland have access to CECIL automatically.
• You can use CECIL to:
• Access information and materials relevant to courses in which you are enrolled.
• Check course announcements, marks for coursework and exam times.
• Download learning resources.
• Complete online tests.
• Participate in online discussion/chat.

Student ID Card

• A student ID card can only be printed if:
• Your enrolment appears in SSO.
• You have a photo in SSO.
• Once you have both the above requirements, the card will take approximately 10 working days to print.
• You can collect your student ID card from the International Student Information Centre, G23 Old Choral Hall, 7 Symonds Street.
• In order to collect your student ID card from the International Student Information Centre, you will need to provide:
• A copy of your bio data page on your passport (photo page).
• A copy of your valid student visa to study at the University of Auckland.
• A completed contact information form (available at the International Office).

MAXX Tertiary ID Sticker

• MAXX Tertiary ID stickers give you up to 40% off selected bus, train and ferry fares. The discount applies to the one-way single adult fare when purchasing a tertiary 10-ride ticket of 7-day Northern Pass.
• You need to be a full-time tertiary student to be eligible for the MAXX ID sticker.
• You can request the sticker will be given to you when you collect your student ID card.

Banking in NZ

As a scholar, one of the first things you have to do when you arrive is open a bank account. Otherwise, you won't get your stipend. The University of Auckland has two banks in campus, ANZ and ASB. Most of us chose ANZ since the branch is in Kate Edger Information Commons, which is at the center of campus.

Normally, it'll cost NZ$10 to open a checking (or cheque) account, but since we are students, it is free. ANZ calls it a Freedom Account. To open it, you have to prepare the following:

• Photocopy of passport
• A residential address in Auckland, and
• Proof that you are a student (i.e. letter of acceptance)

That's it. The bank officer will open your checking account and give you your account number. You just have to wait for the university to deposit your stipend, and then you can start using it. 

Most banking transactions are done on-line here. I know we already have on-line banking in the Philippines, but I did not make use of it as much as I did in New Zealand. Probably because may bayad ang over-the-counter transactions dito. You read that right, the bank charges you a fee every time you withdraw or pay at the branch. So banks actually encourage you to withdraw and pay on-line. Don't worry, the user interface is very friendly. It's easy to transfer money from one account to another, and to pay a person or a bill. You just need the bank account number of the payee.

After a few days, you'll eventually receive your debit card (more commonly known as an EFTPOS card--short for electronic funds transfer at point of sale card) in the mail. Then you can start using it to pay for almost anything in New Zealand. Just don't forget your PIN code.

Happy banking in NZ!

Student IT Essentials

Auckland Uni Sign-In Page

I don't know how Ateneo or UP is now, but back when I was in undergrad and law school (more than 10 years ago), we didn't have this kind of IT service and support. So I don't know if what I'll discuss in this post is something new NZAS scholars would already know about prior to postgraduate study here in New Zealand. But for those of you uninformed about university electronic services, here is a rundown.

1. Free Internet Access

There are literally hundreds of PCs around campus. The most number of computers are located at Kate Edger Information Commons. That building has 4 floors of PCs, catering to all kinds of students. There's one ideal for groups, and so is very noisy. While there's another   that caters to individuals, and is expected to be quiet. All of those computers have internet access. All you have to do is enter your university user ID and password.

2. Universal File Storage

Forgot your USB? Don't worry. You can save your file on any of the computers using your personal university file storage. Just save your file on the home drive (H: [echome]) and you can access it anywhere. Cool, huh?

3. Free Wifi Access

If you have your own laptop or smart phone, you can access the internet anywhere in the University. Again, you just have to type in your user ID and password.

Library Search

4. On-Line Library

The on-line library of the University is unbelievable. It feels like UoA subscribed to every possible electronic academic database available in the world. There's just so many to choose from to do your research. And if ever the database you want is unavailable, just talk to your subject librarian, and he/she will find away to get your article. With the number of databases in the on-line library, searching gets so confusing sometimes that I just end up using Google Scholar.

CECIL

5. CECIL

CECIL is the University's learning management system. It is your link to your courses. Your instructor will post any announcement here, and upload the course syllabus, required readings and other articles. CECIL is also the platform you use to upload your assignments. Grades are also posted here. So technically speaking, you can opt to not attend class and just access everything on CECIL.

Well, those are the basics in IT services and support for the University of Auckland. For more information, check out: www.auckland.ac.nz/it-essentials 

What Org to Join - PGSA

PGSA trip to Mount Rangitoto.

Like all universities, there's a period to join orgs early in the semester at the University of Auckland. There are sport clubs like rowing and cycling. There are environmental orgs like Enactus. There's a meat club for those who want to eat, uhm, meat. And there are regional orgs like Maori, Korean and Filipino students associations. But if there's one org I encourage you to join during your stay here in university, that would be PGSA (short for Post-Graduate Students Association).

Of all the orgs I joined this year (3), PGSA was the only one worth it. The org is made up of foreign and local postgraduate students, and the it knows what its members want and need. PGSA manages the post-graduate lounge on level 4 of the Kate Edger Information Commons (KEIC). If you want some peace and quiet to study and do your research, especially if its crowded in the library or its noisy at your faculty's computer lab, the post-graduate lounge is your sanctuary. It is exclusively for post-graduate students.

Another perk is that PGSA members get 20% discount at the Strata Cafe, also on level 4 of KEIC. There are a number of coffee shops around campus but I frequent Strata because of the discount. Hey, 20% off is a huge discount considering the price of coffee here.

But the thing I like most of PGSA is that they organize cheap field trips to places I want to go to, that would've been way expensive if I went there by myself. For instance, in Semester 1, PGSA arranged a day trip to Rangitoto Island off the Auckland Coast for only NZ$20.00. That's a huge discount considering the regular price at the ferry terminal is NZ$47.00! And so I went to Rangitoto with other Filipino student friends and we had a great time. We even got to know other international postgrad students.

PGSA ski trip to Mount Ruapehu.

And for Semester 2, PGSA organized a ski trip to Mount Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park. The NZ$107.00 fee included round-trip transportation, 3D/2N accommodation at the university lodge and 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners. Sulit na yon! Another Filipino student who went there on her own spent close to NZ$300.00! So ang laki talaga ng discount. Again, like in Rangitoto, I enjoyed this trip to Ruapehu. I got to learn how to ski, live the way Kiwis do at a ski lodge, and meet other international postgrad students like me.

Joining is easy. Just visit the PGSA website and register on-line. After verification (that you're a postgrad student enrolled in UoA), you just visit the PGSA office at iSpace on level 4, KEIC, to get your PGSA sticker for your ID.

Where the Plastic Card is King!

Plastic cards are very important to one's survival here in New Zealand. In fact, I carry six of them on my person wherever I go. After you arrive, make sure you get these within the first few weeks.

First in the list is the DEBIT CARD (a). Kiwis don't use paper money that much. Most of them rely on debit (or EFPOS) cards to pay for everything. And I mean everything. From books at Whitcoulls to clothes in Bivouac to a sandwich at Burger Fuel to even just a bottle of water at the superette, the EFPOS card is indispensable.

Next, your SCHOOL ID CARD (b). Unlike our IDs in the Philippines, the NZ School ID card is your all-in-one card. It has many uses. For instance, your department will put in X amount of NZ$ for your photocopying and printing expense. All you need to do is slide your ID card on the printer's terminal and it will print your documents. Other uses for the school ID card include borrowing books at the library, and getting discounts at the post-grad cafe, movie theaters and on public transportation.

Regarding public transportation, do not forget to apply for a HOP CARD (c) at Auckland Transport (either at the Quad in Kate Edger Information Commons or at Britomart). You will need this card to get around town via the bus system. Show your school ID so you can avail of the student discount. There is another card called the AT card for use on trains.

Fourth is the SUPERMARKET CARD (d). Mine is the OneCard from Countdown Supermarket. It's like the SM Advantage Card. You earn points whenever you buy. When you have enough points, you can use it to pay for goods. Also, the supermarket sometimes gives deals exclusively for OneCard holders. Sign up the first time you shop at Countdown!  The OneCard is free anyway!

Then there's the MOVIE PASS (e). I got mine at Events Cinemas down at the Civic Centre along Queen Street. Regular price for a movie here is around NZ$17.00 (PhP 580). That's a bit steep. But with this student VIP card, a movie is only NZ$10 (PhP 340). A bit pricey for Manila standards, but way cheaper by forty percent from regular price here. If you like watching movies like me, invest on this. It's NZ$10 a card, pero consumable naman.

Last is the FASTFOOD CARD (f). The one I have is the Subway SubCard. It's like your typical fastfood card (think Shakey's Supercard or Greenwich's Greencard). It has a point system as well, plus offer exclusive deals for cardholders. I don't use this as much since I've been making my own sandwiches lately. But if you like subway, then get their card. It's free.