Priscilla (Xuanyan) Zhang
2nd-year student, Bachelor of Health Science in Counselling
When Priscilla (Xuanyan) Zhang chose to come to AUT as an international student from China to study health science, she had a very personal reason.
“I had a close friend who was struggling with insomnia and depression, and at the time I really wanted to understand how I could support her. When I started studying the Bachelor of Health Science, the four foundational courses gave me a broad introduction to health from different perspectives. As I explored different areas, I became increasingly interested in counselling because it gave me a way to understand people, relationships and wellbeing, and to develop skills that could be directly used in supporting others.”
The learning can be challenging and confronting, she says, but she has enjoyed how quickly it has pushed her to grow.
“Before coming to university, I had a particular idea of what higher education should provide: not only a strong foundation of knowledge, but also some preparation for how that knowledge will be used in life and future work. I feel AUT aligns very well with that idea. In counselling, we’re not simply asked to understand concepts and theories. We’re also encouraged to examine how we think, reflect critically on ourselves and our assumptions, practise what we’re learning and consider how our knowledge translates into real interactions with other people. I’ve found that process quite confronting at times, but it has also been one of the things that has helped me grow the most.
“One thing I really value about the counselling programme is how early we’re introduced to professional practice. From the second year, we complete placement hours over two years, with both internal and external supervision. What I find particularly valuable is that the placements give us the opportunity to work directly with clients, rather than only observing professionals or completing simulated exercises. This gives us a much clearer sense of what the profession actually involves, while still having supervision and support around us. It has made the transition from being a student to thinking about myself as a future practitioner feel much more concrete.”
Achievements and opportunities
There are a few achievements in her studies so far that Priscilla is particularly proud of.
“One achievement I’m particularly proud of is achieving an average GPA of 8.75 in my first year. As someone who came to AUT as an international student and transitioned into a new education system, that was a milestone for me. I’m also proud that I’ve been able to contribute to the AUT community alongside my studies. This year I’ve taken on roles as a student ambassador, peer advisor and library engagement assistant, and I was also selected for the Amokura Vice-Chancellor’s Leadership Programme. For me, these experiences are meaningful because they show different sides of my university journey: academic achievement, leadership and contributing to the community.
“AUT has enabled me to move from being supported as an international student to becoming someone who contributes to supporting others. As a student ambassador, I’ve had the opportunity to see how much work AUT puts into supporting international students, including events and initiatives that recognise their different needs and experiences. Being involved in that process has given me a very different perspective from simply receiving support myself. It has made me realise that belonging is not only about feeling welcomed; it’s also about having opportunities to participate, contribute and give something back to the community.”
She is grateful for the support from AUT staff throughout her studies so far.
“There are several people who have made a real difference to my experience at AUT. In my first year, Emtethal Rezk, who taught one of my health science foundational courses, really stood out to me. I appreciated not only her teaching, but also the way she created a classroom environment that reflected diversity and respect for different cultures. I also really enjoyed Dr Christian Thoma’s teaching in the Nutrition, Health and Activity course. He was extremely knowledgeable and approachable, and I learned a lot from his enthusiasm and willingness to share his knowledge. I’m also very grateful to my Amokura programme leader, Hans Tommy. Being trusted with those opportunities and having the chance to learn from other future leaders has been particularly meaningful to me as an international student.”
Plans for the future
While she still has another year of studies ahead, Priscilla already has a good idea of how she sees her future after graduation.
“I know I’d like to work in a role where counselling, wellbeing and my previous professional experience can come together. Before coming to AUT, I spent many years working in public relations, so I’m interested in exploring how my counselling training might connect with areas such as workplace wellbeing, organisational support or other people-focused roles.”
She has some great advice for other students who are only at the start of their own university journey.
“My advice would be: it’s never too late to start, and don’t be afraid to trust people and give things a chance. When I first came to AUT, I didn’t know what opportunities would come my way or where I would fit in. Over time, I realised that when you’re willing to offer trust, contribute and make yourself available, trust often comes back to you in unexpected ways. You may not always see an immediate return from the things you do, but relationships and opportunities build over time. So I’d encourage other students not to focus too much on what they’ll get back straight away. Sometimes the things you give to a community become the things that help you grow the most.”
