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ABOUT AUCKLAND INSTITUTE OF ST. HELENS :
AIS St Helens is a unique tertiary institution with a
distinctive international focus. Since its inception, this
 developing Institute
has attracted students and staff from countries around the world and now has
developed a number of close relationships with leading educational institutions
internationally. This network has advantages for both our international and New
Zealand students.
Their undergraduate and postgraduate students experience expert personalised
education. The learning and development of each student is guided by qualified
and committed staff who see their primary role as mentors in helping students
achieve success.
AIS St Helens have created learning pathways and support strategies are in place to cater
for the different skills and abilities of individual students, maximising their
opportunities to achieve their goals.
On each campus they ensure that a friendly nurturing environment balances and
supports their rigorous and demanding academic programmes. AIS St Helens utilise a variety of
monitoring mechanisms to ensure that the quality of their programmes is maintained
at the highest international standards. Earning an AIS St Helens academic
credential is a qualification for life, and requires each student to demonstrate
a high level of personal commitment and integrity.
Studying at AIS St Helens is a uniquely rewarding experience.
Facilities
Library
AIS St Helens' library holds a wide variety of books, journals,
magazines, newspapers, audio and video tapes, and CD-ROMs and provides database
access to support the Institute's study programmes. There are separate reading
and study areas allowing students to work quietly, individually or in groups.
The Independent Learing Centre has computers with specialist software for
assignments and self-study. As with the other computer suites on campus, there
are facilities for sending and receiving email and browsing the internet.
Photocopy facilities are also available.
Sports Facilities
AIS St Helens Asquith Campus has a fully-equipped gymnasium and sports
arena. Sport and Fitness Coordinators are available in the gymnasium to design
fitness programmes for students. Within the sports arena students can enjoy
basketball, volleyball, cricket, badminton and
indoor football.
The Main Campus has tennis courts plus areas for basketball, volleyball and
petanque outside, and is adjacent to the popular Chamberlain Park Golf Course.
Car Parking Facilities
The AIS St Helens Main Campus and the Asquith Campus boast plenty of free
parking for students who travel to the campuses by car.
Shuttle buses are available from the AIS St Helens Main Campus to the Asquith
Campus and the City Campus for students who choose not to travel by car or
public transport.
Why Choose AIS?
International Education
Students and staff come from all over the world to study and teach at AIS St
Helens. AIS St Helens's programmes are focused on the global marketplace and many of
their
students find work offshore after graduation. Due to the mix of cultures at AIS
St Helens, students gain unique opportunities to learn, not only from books and
lecturers, but also from their classmates. Many cross-cultural friendships and
business ventures have developed within the AIS St Helens family.
Tailored Options
Students may choose to take International Business courses, Tourism Management
courses or Arts courses, as part of their main degree or diploma programme, to
meet their individual career aspirations. For example, a Bachelor of
International Business student may undertake studies in Mandarin to gain an
added advantage when working with Chinese-speaking business people.
Smaller Classes
AIS St Helens dedicated teaching staff enjoy personal contact with students and class
numbers are kept low to maintain quality standards. Typically there are between
10 and 100 students in first-year degree classes. Compare this to classes of
over 300 elsewhere. As a result, their students receive more personal attention
and are more able to maximize their potential at AIS St Helens.
Nurturing and Support
Due to the smaller class sizes, their lecturers have the time to get to know
students' personal study needs. If a student needs extra help, a Study Skills
Advisor is available to assist at their new Academic Success Centre. English
language tutorials and support programmes are available for students who do not
have English as their first language.
Fast-track Programmes
Their flexible three-semester system allows students to fast-track programmes.
Dedicated students can complete a diploma or degree in a shorter time than at
most traditional institutions, allowing them to enter the workforce more
quickly.
Flexibility of Entry Dates
Students may start a programme in January, May or September, or on any Monday
(except for the six-weekly test weeks) in the English Language Centre.
Foundation Programmes
Their foundation programmes allow students to gain valuable study skills and
confidence before entering their diploma or degree programmes. Foundation
programmes are particularly useful for students with English as a second
language, and also suit those who have been out of the education system for some
time, or those who have not gained the necessary qualifications to study at
tertiary level.
Credit Transfer
Students applying to AIS St Helens from other institutions may apply for credit
transfers once they have arrived to begin their studies. Programmes receiving
credit recognition include the New Zealand Diploma in Business, several local
and national business, tourism and IT diplomas at Levels 5 and 6, and programmes
from partner institutions internationally.
Accommodation
The AIS St
Helens Dormitory Accommodation, with fully furnished rooms, is situated at the
Main Campus and they also offer a Homestay Accommodation service.
Students who require accommodation should request their preference for
Dormitory or Homestay accommodation at least TWO WEEKS
prior to starting their programme.
Dormitory
The AIS St Helens Dormitory,
situated at the Main Campus, can accommodate 128 students in single and
 multi-share rooms. A dormitory application form should be completed by intending
residents. The dormitory is out-of bounds to non-residents. Residents should
ensure they have a copy of the Dormitory Handbook which contains all the
information relating to this facility. Intending residents should book well in
advance, as there is normally a waiting list for residency. One week's notice in
advance is required to move out of the dormitory.
AIS St Helens Dormitory has three
levels. The accommodation office is located on your right as you walk in the
Level 1 main entrance of the Dormitory. The Level 3 accommodation is reserved
for male students, whereas Level 2 is for female students only. Level 1 is for
both male and female students. Number 25 Linwood Ave and number 30 Linwood Ave
are also part of their accommodation.
The feeling of contribution to and
gaining from group living as a key feature of life in a Dormitory, particularly
on an international campus like AIS St Helens. There are opportunities for fun
and companionship, for working, talking, relaxing and growing in a community of
people of similar age and similar interests. There may be irritations and
distractions too, but learning to deal with these, to understand different point
of view, and to become tolerant of some aspects of human nature, is of
considerable value.
Homestay
Finding A Homestay
Many students are keen to
experience the Kiwi lifestyle while they are in New Zealand. Homestay
accommodation can give them a good taste of it.
Homestays can be organised prior
to arrival in NZ or some students chose another form of accommodation when they
first get here, and later decide to move into a homestay. Either way, two weeks
is needed to arrange this kind of
 accommodation.
AIS St Helens has an extensive
list of approved homestay families to chose from and can organise placement for
students. Those wanting a homestay should get in touch with AIS St Helens
Accommodation staff.
Students must give one week
written notice if they want to move out. Departure forms must be filled out and
are available from Liaison and the Cashier.
Homestay rates cover
accommodation, breakfast and dinner daily and lunch at the weekends. A member of
the homestay family is required to escort students to and from AIS St Helens on
their first day.
Homestay payments are usually paid
by AIS on behalf of the student, however some students prefer to pay the family
themselves, directly. Both options are acceptable.
So you want to provide
homestay accommodation?
Many Kiwi families welcome the
opportunity to have students from other countries living with them. Homestays
can provide everybody in the household with a taste of a new culture and can be
a very rewarding experience all round.
Those interested in becoming
homestay families for AIS St Helens should contact their Accommodation staff. The
first question you'll be asked is where you live. If you live in the surrounding
areas of Mt Albert, you'll be sent out a homestay application form and
information pack.
Complete the questionnaire and
send it back to AIS St Helens. A representative will then contact you to set up
an interview and view your home.
When the interviewer comes to your
house, she will check out the kitchen, bathrooms, dining-lounge and students'
bedrooms to ensure everything is clean and that the students will have
everything they require.
During the interview, she'll want
to know exactly where the bus stop is from your home and how long it will take
for students to get to AIS. Questions about other members of the family may also
be asked. The interviewer will explain about meals, laundry, phonebills,
household keys, emergency procedures and what to do when a students takes leave
of absence. The payment system and different rates will also be discussed.
Host families are expected to
escort students to and from AIS St Helens on their first day of school. |
