Meet the Team
National Executive
National President – Vikram Selvaraj
Ko Vikram toku ingoa. My name is Vikram, and I recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Canterbury and a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Dublin. As an individual passionate about advocacy and rights, I am Honoured to be returning as a second-term National President of the New Zealand International Students’ Association (NZISA). Coming from Singapore, I have found New Zealand as my second home.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my ako of the profession and the person I am today. If I had to choose two words to represent me as a person, they would be mana taurite and hāpai; which is to make justice equitable so that it enables lifting and support of the community. I had the opportunity to work with many international students through different events. I enjoyed connecting with people and helping them feel they belonged made it rewarding. UCSA recognised my work, and I was awarded the Blues Award 2021 for Outstanding Achievement in Community Engagement and 2022 Contributing in Community Engagement.
My goal as national president in 2023 is to focus on stakeholder engagement, lobbying for international students’ well-being and how they are supported throughout their education journey. I look forward to making these priorities a reality with the collaboration and consultations with the incoming Representative Council Members, Board of Directors, Government agencies, Student Association, and most importantly, International Students in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
If I had to choose one quote that helps me push through the different phases of my life would be, “Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts, don’t focus on the end goal and miss out on enjoying the Journey.”
Contact at: [email protected]
National Vice President – Eric (Sishuo) Zhou
Kia Ora my fellow international students whanau:
This is Eric (Sishuo) Zhou, the vice president of NZISA 2023. I am current pursuing my final year of Bachelor of Arts conjoint with Law degree at University of Auckland. I am delighted to be part of NZISA this amazing team to assist all international students in their journey and to raise awareness of international students to relevant parties.
My goal for 2023 would to be assisting our executive team in our projects and bring all international students together to enhance our student experience in Aoteroa!
Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns that we can help you to resolve, Waiho i te toipoto Kaua i te toiroa.
Contact at: [email protected]
National Secretary – Grace Amelia Zhang
Kia Ora whānau, salam kenal! My name is Grace, and I was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia. I am a Bachelor of Science graduate from the University of Otago, majoring in Food Science, minoring in Consumer Food Science. In my free time, I enjoy baking, travelling, and catching up with my friends. I am privileged and grateful to be re-elected as NZISA Secretary 2023. Being part of a greater change for international students, I hope to amplify international students’ voices in Aotearoa by reaching out, connecting, and supporting the international student community. I strongly believe that we, as international students, have our own rights to speak up and stand out in the community. As a Secretary, I would also like to take this opportunity to be as approachable in ensuring that the administration and communication within the team is well maintained, and that NZISA is always in good hands.
Contact at: [email protected]
National Treasurer – Steven Wijaya
Kia Ora Whānau! Salam Kenal Semua!
My name is Steven, and I hail from one of the most beautiful islands in Indonesia, more specifically, Jakarta. I am a 3rd year BCom student majoring in Accounting and Finance, aspiring to be an exemplary auditor in the near future. I describe myself as having a growth mindset, a self-determined learner seizing every opportunity that allows me to either grow or positively contribute to the world. And when I am not doing that, I would be off travelling or meeting new people and making new friends.
In 2022, I was given the amazing opportunity to be the Treasurer-Secretary for the Auckland University Students’ Association (AUSA) – maintaining a high degree of responsibility. Internally, I help oversee AUSA’s financial affairs by ensuring proper budget management and a healthy stream of cash flows. I also contribute to the governance in several of AUSA’s entities and, most importantly, continuously advocate for student equity.
Through my educational background, extracurricular activities, and experience, I believe it had prepared me to take on the prestigious role of being the National Treasurer, ensuring equitable rights for International Students – for a better Aotearoa.
Although success does take time, I am willing to learn new things through intellectual humility.
Contact at: [email protected]
Public Relations Officer – Geraldi Ryan
Naia te mihi maioha kia koutou katoa, ko Geraldi Ryan toku ingoa. Senang bertemu. I was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia until I came to New Zealand in 2017, and am blessed to be calling New Zealand, my home. I was in Dunedin for my tertiary studies of Foundation Studies, Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Education) and Master of Teaching and Learning (endorsed in Secondary Education) at the University of Otago, now working as a Science and Chemistry Teacher at Manurewa High School, Auckland.
My role responsibilities in NZISA are to expand NZISA’s engagement with government agencies, institutions and students to ensure that all international students’ voices are heard in different ways, such as submissions, press releases, social media posts, open letters and many more. Hence, my aims in NZISA are very open to support all different goals and needs that students may want to push for nationally, for the benefit of international students. So, flick an email on your concerns and ideas, and we will go from there.
Other than teaching and advocating, I like to experiment on contemporary, hip hop and jazz choreography, developing my physical health through fitness, café hopping, photography, scrapbooking and gaming.
Contact at: [email protected]
Education Officer – Sean (Jin Xiong) Teow
Kia Ora Everyone,
I’m Sean Teow, your Education Officer for NZISA this year. I’m a Malaysian student in my final year at the University of Otago finishing up my bachelors in Psychology and History. I have a grass-roots approach that capitalises on my skills and experience in student advocacy to benefit all of you.
To me education isn’t just about academics, it’s about the experience we get when we come to study abroad. My role is to ensure that our experiences are upheld to a certain standard and keep our institutions accountable.
Our time here studying abroad at a tertiary level is a precious one, with many memories and fun times, but it’s not without issues. These issues are sometimes easily resolved but in the case where it isn’t and it needs to be brought to a deeper institutional level it can be very hard to do so. It just gets really complex sometimes y’know.
That’s where I step in to bring your voices to the table and to ensure that action can occur at that level. Conversely, I want to translate that complexity into something that everyone can understand so that we can have more discussions around it. Academic Policies and Codes can be intimidating and complicated so I aim to translate that into more digestible bites of information we can understand together. A little input goes a long way so I encourage anyone to speak up, even if you think it’s minor!!!!
Contact at: [email protected]
Women’s Officer – Vacant
Contact at: [email protected]
Representative Council
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Auckland University of Technology Students’ Association – International Officer – Prayag Shethia
My name is Prayag Shethia and I am the incoming International Affairs Officer at AUT Student Association! I study Bachelor of Engineering (Honors) degree majoring in Mechatronics engineering! I come from Mumbai, India and being around a crowd has always made me feel comfortable helping and pushing as many as possible!
I am inclined to helping international students in their issues related to the university and mainly play an important role in comforting them as much as possible so that they can adjust as fast as possible! From networking and employment series to advocacy and academic help, I want to be as big a support as I can!
Lincoln University Students’ Association – International Representative – Balaji Leksshman
I am Balaji. I was born in Tamilnadu, a southern state of India, and completed my Bachelor’s in chemical engineering. I always wanted to be an industrialist so I decided to pursue my postgraduate degree in food innovation at Lincoln University.
I always look forward to learn, practice and improve myself everyday. Taking risks and maturing as an ideal personality is my way of attitude towards new situations and a new environment.
Being the International Representative for LUSA and being an NZISA Representative Council member is a great opportunity to help students and the international community. Apart from my studies and work, I’m a DJ, so I play and create electronic music in my free time.
New Zealand Chinese Students’ Association – President – Summer Xia
I am Summer the 2020 President of NZCSA (New Zealand Chinese Students’ Association). I am from Shenzhen China and have been in New Zealand for eight years.
I am currently doing 5th year Mechanical Engineering, Finance and Information Systems at UoA.
Otago University Students’ Association – International Students’ Officer – Arina Aizal
I’m Arina, a final year University of Otago student in Bachelor of Arts majoring Psychology and minoring Gender Studies. Just like you, I’m an international student. I have made Dunedin my home and I’m passionate about ensuring that international students here have an amazing and diverse cultural experience at Otago. I represent international students in terms of advocacy and also coordinating cultural events.
Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association – President – Geo Robrigado
Waikato International Students’ Association – President – Kaitlyn Saunders
My name is Kaitlyn and I am the current President of the Waikato International Students’ Association (WISA). I am in my final year of a Bachelor of Business and am double majoring in Economics and Finance. I am a domestic student, but find it very important to make those who are from other countries feel welcome in New Zealand. As well as being president of an international student club, I am a mentor to incoming international students and a volunteer with the English Language Development program at the University of Waikato.
I am very proud to be the face of WISA as we aim to create a community that is welcoming and accepting to anyone and everyone. We host at least two international-themed events each year which promote our inclusive club environment.
WelTec and Whitireia – Student Connection President – Kamilla Korokhova
I’m Kamilla and I came from Russia to do my first-year Diploma in Business. As an international student, I was unfortunate to experience a lot of stress and struggles that needed to be carried on my own. I’m here now, making sure others don’t have to go through all that and have someone out there taking care of their experiences. At Student Connection, we do our best to support each and every individual with any issues they may have.
Auckland University Students’ Association – International Officer – vacant
Massey University Students’ Association – International Officer – vacant