Devuni Wickramasinghe

Devuni Wickramasinghe
Devuni Wickramasinghe’s Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) has taught her that the smallest things can have the biggest meanings.

Devuni Resized.jpg
Devuni Wickramasinghe

Name: Devuni Wickramasinghe
Qualification: Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)

Devuni Wickramasinghe was just sixteen years old when she began studying a Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Level 5) with NZTC from her hometown in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

She then pathwayed into NZTC’s Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) degree, after arriving in New Zealand where she was able to meet the program’s Field Practice requirements.

Five years later, Devuni is happily settled into her new life in New Zealand. Looking back, the Sri Lankan graduate sees her decision to study with NZTC as a defining moment in her life.

“I can’t put into words how much this qualification has helped me to grow both personally and professionally,” she shared.

“The level of patience I have obtained from studying and working in early childhood education has not only benefitted me in the classroom but also when it comes to society. I began to understand that the smallest, simplest things have the biggest meanings.”

It was New Zealand Tertiary College’s NZTC Global initiative that enabled Devuni to begin her early childhood education studies while still attending school in Sri Lanka, before relocating to New Zealand to complete her degree.

While she was nervous about studying and working in a new country, Devuni says her move to New Zealand was made much easier by the support and kindness of NZTC staff.

“The lecturers at NZTC are so friendly, and as a student studying in a foreign country this is very important. Everyone at NZTC is always looking to help and they easily make you feel as if you’re at home.”

Devuni says that while early childhood teaching has never been an easy job, the rewards have always outweighed the costs.

“It didn’t occur to me how much I impacted children’s lives until a mother gave me a big hug one day and with tears pouring down her face, said ‘Thank you for everything you have done for our little man. You weren’t just a teacher but a part of our family!'

“Being an early childhood teacher is rewarding in unbelievable ways. It is hard work but at the end of the day, the feeling that you have impacted a young child’s life is remarkable!”