RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has finalized plans to send 300 Saudi students to New Zealand to go to college. “A pre-departure workshop primarily to acquaint the King Abdullah Scholarship students with New Zealand’s life and culture will be hosted Dr. Trevor Matheson, New Zealand’s ambassador, at the embassy on Feb. 12,” said Tony Davies, education attaché at New Zealand Embassy, here yesterday.
“The workshop to be held at the embassy will be attended by students and spouses, chaperones and parents,” said Davies, adding that several women students will also attend the orientation session with their guardians or husbands, who will accompany them to New Zealand.
The Saudi government, he said, has made it mandatory for women to be accompanied by their legal guardians during their stay in New Zealand.
Referring to the orientation workshop, he said that it is for the first time that the New Zealand Embassy will host such an event.
The workshop at the embassy will cover topics such as travel to New Zealand, what to expect upon arrival at Auckland airport, living and studying in New Zealand. A DVD will also be screened showing key features of New Zealand. There will also be opportunities for students to ask questions.
