Talented Wintec business student bound for Poland

Image: Jannaha Henry in front of the student Hub at Wintec city campus

Wintec business student Jannaha Henry is packing her bags for Poland as the only New Zealand student selected for the Erasmus student exchange programme this year.

The Erasmus+ Scholarship is funded by the European Union and provides students, trainees, teachers and volunteers around the world with the opportunity to study at higher education institutes and universities across Europe. 

Taranaki-born Jannaha Henry, 20, has completed two years of study towards a Bachelor of Applied Management at Wintec. On February she will start her third year at Kozminski University in the Polish capital of Warsaw. The courses will be taught in English and the grades she will receive will be integrated into the second semester, which she will complete when she returns to Wintec to obtain her degree.

“I'm also planning to take some Polish classes there. I've already tried to learn a few simple words, but pronunciation is very difficult. It will be more convenient with a teacher than using phone apps,” says Jannaha.

“I heard about this programme through my school, Wintec’s Centre for Business, Information Technology and Enterprise. At first I wasn’t very confident, but in the end, I just took it step by step and here I am!” explains Jannaha.

“I have to admit that I’m a naïve traveller,” says Jannaha. “I’ve never left New Zealand and I have never travelled overseas. I’m anxious, but at the same time very excited because this is a fantastic opportunity.”

“Jannaha is the only New Zealander this year to go to Poland through this programme. Her application was supported by Wintec and she was selected on the strength of her grades, personality and leadership skills,” says Aubrey Medwid, Wintec International Business Coordinator.

“Wintec staff helped me a lot to go through all the steps of the process, especially with all the paperwork,” says Jannaha.” It was also helpful to meet Genima Riini, who went to Poland from Wintec last year on the same scholarship.

Wintec staff members have also been given the opportunity to spend time at Kozminski University through the Erasmus+ Scholarship Programme in 2016 and 2017.

“For our staff, it’s a unique opportunity to share experiences through teaching, meet key contacts, build new partnerships and take part in conferences and workshops. Four Wintec staff members have already been to Kozminski University  thanks to this programme. The next trip is scheduled over Easter when a Wintec academic staff member will spend a week teaching,” says Jason Matangi, Wintec International Director.

“It’s great for our students to be able to develop their skills, discover new cultures and new ways of doing things with financial support,” adds Jason.

Wintec will also host two professors in August from Kozminski for one week to be guest lecturers and presenters for a possible new Masters of Applied Finance Degree and Masters of Applied Marketing Degree programmes. “Wintec is very pleased with the growth and opportunities that have come from this scholarship,” acknowledges Jason Matangi.

In September 2016, another Wintec student - Genima Riini - completed four months study in Europe thanks to the same scholarship. Wintec has around 15 international exchange partners and this is the second time that Wintec has sent one of its students to Poland under the Erasmus+ Scholarship Programme.

The Erasmus+ Scholarship will be open for applications again in spring for the 2018 round.