AUT welcomes future Brazilian leaders in a New Zealand first
During the month of August AUT University will be home to 25 young Brazilian future leaders as part of a four week Brasilia Without Borders Programme which aims to provide a life changing cultural and educational experience through experiential learning.
AUT is the only New Zealand university, and the only university outside the USA and Europe, to be successful with their bid to host a group as part of the programme. Other countries, considered New Zealand’s main competitors for international students such as Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada, were all unsuccessful in their bids.
The programme was designed and developed by Jan Fitz-Gerald, Director of International Programmes, with the new global citizen in mind. There are three main segments: English for Business Communication, Creating Tomorrow’s Global Leaders and Te Mauri Aotearoa (Spirit of New Zealand).
The students arrived at AUT on Monday 4 August and were welcomed with a powhiri at Ngā Wai o Horotiu Marae. Since then they have been able to experience the strong pacific culture at the Mangere Markets, visit Auckland Council and have enjoyed a trip to Wellington to meet with Hon Peter Dunne, visit Te Papa and visit the Brazilian Embassy and chat with the Brazilian Ambassador to New Zealand HE Eduardo Gradilone. The group has also been completing English for Business courses and has heard from various inspiring speakers.
Over the next two weeks they will be sailing on the Auckland Harbour, visiting the Maritime Museum and learning from some of New Zealand’s most influential leaders before they head home at the end of the month.