We’ve got more than 115 new faces on campus this week.

Academic Director, Professor Leoni Schmidt, welcomed our new students, during a day of Orientation talks and activities yesterday.

She said they had courageously come from all over the world to Auckland, New Zealand.

“We welcome you here and we celebrate your bravery and your courage.”

Living in New Zealand was probably somewhat different to what they were used to, she said.

“That is a fantastic thing because you have come to experience a new place, a new country, a new land, new people, new languages.”

OPAIC was like a mini United Nations, where even the staff came from all over the world.

“That is why you are all so welcome here, because each and every one of you will bring something unique to this place.”

Leoni invited the students to become part of the campus in every possible way. She said they should work hard inside the classroom and out and get to know people from other countries.

“Because this is such a unique opportunity.”

Learning Support Advisor Katy Lockwood took the students through academic expectations, covering attendance, assessments, English language ability, engagement and attitude, workload, self-study, academic integrity and group work.

Student Counsellor Sunjin Heo then talked to students about how she could help them with any issues they might face from cultural difficulties to stress.

She would listen to any stories they wished to tell in a non-judgement, respectful and confidential environment, she said.

Yesterday, students also heard short talks from a range of external guests including Auckland Transport, the NZ AIDS Foundation, Citizens Advice Bureau, Student Card, Les Mills, 2 Degrees, and Conservation Volunteers NZ.

Orientation activities continues today with introductions to academic programmes, and an employability afternoon.

Check out all of the photos over on Facebook.