Under a discussion thread titled "How did you get your New Zealand residency?" one comment stood out with the highest number of likes: "I got my PR by changing diapers one by one as an early childhood educator."
The author reached out to the user with the ID "LittleSuTeacherinNZ," who turned out to be a male early childhood educator in New Zealand. He shared his story with the interviewer.
Interviewee: Vincent
Image Source: Vincent
Interview and Writing: Fangfang Ma
01 Anhui - Childhood in the Mountains
Vincent, aged 38, is from Wuwei, Anhui, and currently works in early childhood education in Auckland.
He was born into an ordinary rural family as the fifth child. During his childhood, he lived in a mountain village and had to cross two mountains every day to attend middle school. One of the most unforgettable memories for him was the sunrise while crossing the first mountain. As the sun emerged, casting its gentle red light over the tea mountains, it created a scene that left a deep impression on him.
His parents had limited education, with his father being literate while his mother never attended school. His father initially engaged in bamboo business, but the family fell on hard times later, leading to a challenging upbringing for Vincent.
He didn't have many books to read during his childhood. It wasn't until high school, while studying in the county town, that he first came into contact with literary works.
When asked about his favorite childhood activity in the mountains, he mentioned tea picking. He used to pick wild tea leaves in the bamboo forests, crossing mountains to find tea trees. Standing atop the mountain after picking tea, he often found himself lost in thought, wondering what lay beyond the mountains.
As a studious child, he was often teased by villagers as being a "college student" due to his interest in studying. He even believed jokes that he had to find books in the bamboo forest to attend college. Many of his childhood dreams involved searching for books in the bamboo forest.
Despite his dedication to studying, he didn't perform well in the college entrance exam (gaokao). When it came to choosing colleges, he was misled by rumors and ended up selecting schools hastily.
02 Chongqing - Four Years of Drifting
At the age of 18, Vincent entered Sichuan International Studies University in Chongqing for college. It was also the first time he tasted a real kiwifruit. Although he had eaten wild fruits from the mountains since childhood, he had never known they were wild kiwifruits.
College life passed by in the blink of an eye.
"On graduation day, it seemed like everyone had their futures secured, but I felt like I was abruptly pushed into society," Vincent remarked.
03 Beijing - Seven Years of Drifting
Although Vincent had excelled academically in school, he was taken aback by the harsh reality upon entering the workforce.
"I thought I had done enough, but it wasn't the case. Almost everyone around me had someone to guide them, with plans and options, but I didn't. Standing at the crossroads of life, I didn't know which path to take, and I couldn't even cry."
"Family had sacrificed everything, selling fields and houses to support me to this point. And now, I didn't even know what I wanted to do."
Vincent tried various jobs, including a stint at a hotel reception arranged by his father's connections, which didn't work out. Eventually, he stumbled into a job at an institution, where he worked as an English teacher for seven years.
In 2016, he suffered significant losses in the stock market, leading to a period of profound depression. Reflecting on his situation, he decided it was time for a change.
With little money in his pocket, he decided to move to New Zealand, following the suggestion of a friend he had chatted with online for years.
04 Auckland - Embarking on the Path of Study Abroad
Determined to go abroad, Vincent tirelessly prepared for the IELTS exam to meet the entry requirements for universities. After achieving the necessary scores, he began applying to schools.
With the help of his acquaintance in New Zealand, he successfully secured an offer from the University of Auckland's Early Childhood Education program and arrived in Auckland on a Friday. The following Monday, he attended the school's orientation ceremony, marking the beginning of his new life in a foreign land.
Initially, Vincent didn't understand why proficiency in English was essential for early childhood education. However, after a month of study, he realized the rationale behind the requirement.
The workload was intense, and he struggled with academic pressure, nearly considering dropping out. However, he persevered, realizing that this was his one chance at a better future.
After graduating, Vincent took a three-month break to visit home before returning to New Zealand to search for employment.
05 Wellington - Career as a Male Early Childhood Educator
With his local qualification in hand, Vincent began his early childhood education career in New Zealand.
Years ago, villagers gossiped about his life, belittling him for allegedly working as a kindergarten teacher in Beijing. Little did they know that their rumors would turn out to be true years later.
New Zealand places high demands on early childhood education professionals. To qualify, students must score at least 7 in each band of the IELTS test. Despite the challenges, Vincent found a job at a kindergarten in Wellington, embarking on his career as an early childhood educator.
He worked tirelessly, juggling teaching with part-time jobs to make ends meet. Despite the difficulties, he found fulfillment in his work, forming deep connections with colleagues and children alike.
Vincent marveled at the miraculous process of observing children's growth and development, finding joy in witnessing their personalities blossom.
While the job had its challenges, including managing classroom dynamics and emotional support for children, Vincent found satisfaction in contributing to their development.
Vincent's journey from rural Anhui to early childhood education in New Zealand is a testament to his resilience and determination to build a better life for himself. Through hard work and perseverance, he has overcome numerous obstacles to find fulfillment in his chosen career path.
06 Auckland - Restarting Life, What Next?
Now in his sixth year of teaching early childhood education, Vincent has become a seasoned educator, adept at handling his work. Over the years, he has received many inquiries from people asking about the pros and cons of studying early childhood education.
If one wants to immigrate, becoming an early childhood educator in New Zealand does seem like a favorable choice.
According to immigration requirements, applicants need only to register with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and obtain a provisional practicing certificate, earn an hourly wage at or above the median income, and work in a registered early childhood education teaching position for 24 months to be eligible for permanent residency.
"If studying early childhood education is seen as merely a means to obtain residency without any genuine interest in education, it can be very painful," Vincent is always candid. He mentions that from studying to working and eventually obtaining residency, it takes a considerable amount of time.
If one has no interest in education whatsoever, it can feel like "working at a funeral," not only unfair to the students but also a prolonged and futile torment for oneself.
Fortunately, Vincent has always enjoyed the education industry and approached his work with a childlike heart, naturally obtaining residency through doing what he loves.
"Obtaining residency wasn't my initial goal. When I decided to go abroad, I simply wanted to explore. The thought of residency never crossed my mind. Perhaps it was this relaxed attitude that led me to stumble upon the right path."
"A friend said, 'If you want to go abroad, take the IELTS exam.' So, I did. After the first attempt fell short, he suggested I study accounting, which I didn't enjoy. I persisted in taking the exam again, and when I achieved the required score, he said I could study early childhood education, which could lead to residency. Only then did I dare to consider residency."
Unlike many early childhood educators who change careers after obtaining residency, Vincent continues to persevere in this role.
Currently, Vincent works full-time as an early childhood educator while also teaching IELTS online, keeping him busy. As he puts it: "Seven years have passed, not idle, not rich."
He plays badminton and goes hiking or to parks every week.
"Although this isn't the life I envisioned, there's nothing to complain about. At least I have peace of mind," he says.
When asked what he would do if he weren't an early childhood educator, he responds, "Perhaps in the future, I would work in elderly care-related jobs. It feels like they need more care than children."
The young boy who once wandered aimlessly in the mountains of Wuwei, without guidance from predecessors, has steadily moved forward through his own exploration and efforts, now living a quiet life in New Zealand, doing a job he loves.
Although he hasn't achieved the conventional success of "marriage, children, and a big house," he feels content.
In his seventh year in New Zealand, he occasionally feels a bit tired of staying put and wants to explore other countries.
After seven years in Beijing and seven years in New Zealand, where he will go and what he will do in the next seven years remains uncertain.
"Perhaps I am like the name of my hometown, Wuwei," Vincent says when discussing future life plans.
To act without acting, to not regard what one is doing as a means to another end, to be one's own value, one's own purpose, to do what one loves, naturally becomes the most unique self.
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