Name: Yuriko Ishikawa
NZTC Qualification: Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Yuriko Ishikawa’s life may have looked very different had she never decided to travel to New Zealand.
In 2015 she decided to leave her life in Tokyo behind for a new adventure, working as an au pair for a young family in Auckland. Little did she know, this experience would lead her to discover her dream career.
“It was through this rewarding au pair life in New Zealand that I found my new passion for nurturing precious tamariki. This made me realise I wanted to gain more knowledge of early childhood education.”
After falling in love with the country’s laid back lifestyle, Yuriko was determined to find an education provider that would support her to become an early childhood teacher without leaving New Zealand.
“I really didn’t want to leave this beautiful country of Aotearoa, so I searched for schools on the internet and found New Zealand Tertiary College was the best place for me,” shared Yuriko.
The college’s Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE) was the perfect option for Yuriko, who had already completed a Bachelor’s degree and could become eligible to apply for New Zealand teacher certification in just over one year.
The Japanese student describes her experience studying with NZTC as ‘fantastic’, sharing her gratitude for “the supportive lecturers, encouraging peers and all the lovely people who helped me to complete my study successfully”.
Now working as a permanent teacher in the toddler’s room at a centre in Wellington, Yuriko loves her new career and says her studies continue to support her in her work with children every day.
“My studies inspired me and gave me a new appreciation for New Zealand’s culture. At one Block Course, we practiced using the ukulele and now I’ve taught myself and enjoy singing te reo Māori songs with our tamariki.”
“Through my study I learnt that manaakitanga (respect and hospitality) and aroha (love and empathy are fundamental for me. I’ve been enjoying growing together with the children and supporting them to flourish to their full potential.”