At just 18 years old, Te Kura ākonga Rita Hodson is preparing for an exciting journey that will take her back to a country she once called home, Japan. Based in the Wairarapa, Rita is a dual ākonga with Saint Matthew’s in Masterton and Te Kura.
Her connection to Japan began early, having lived there for two years as a child, and that experience sparked a lifelong interest in Japanese language and culture.
Rita in her Yukata
Rita will soon start her studies at Asia Pacific University (APU) in Beppu, on Japan’s southern island. What drew her to APU was its diversity, around half of the students are international.
“Meeting people from all over the world really appealed to me,” says Rita. “There’s even a Pacifica club I plan to join.”
Applying to APU wasn’t easy, as Japanese systems are very precise. But Rita’s hard work paid off, she received an 80% Tuition Reduction Scholarship, meaning she’ll only pay 20% of tuition plus boarding fees.
“In all honesty it was a very detailed process,” Rita admits. “I’m grateful to receive the scholarship and I’m looking forward to returning to Japan.”
Rita is grateful for the support she has received. She credits her mum and acknowledges her Te Kura Level 1 Japanese teacher, Kirsten Porteus, for introducing her to the university and explaining the process back in 2023. Without Kirsten’s background knowledge, Rita says she wouldn’t have been as prepared.
Her mum Jo admits the decision came with mixed emotions. She says there were moments when the reality of Rita leaving for four years really hit her, and it felt overwhelming. But those feelings quickly gave way to pride and excitement.
“I am happy that she’s going back to reconnect with the culture and friends she had as a child.”
Before enrolling with Te Kura, Rita had taken classes and worked with tutors, but learning Japanese through Te Kura gave her structure and focus.
“It really made me commit to my studies because I couldn’t learn Japanese at school,” she explains.
Her dedication paid off, she achieved top marks in Level 1 Japanese and continued to excel in Level 2 and gained Highly Commended.
“I was so proud to get top in Level 1 Japanese across Te Kura.”
Rita with Dad and Mum
At APU, Rita will study for a Bachelor of Sustainability and Tourism, a programme that combines her interest in the environment with her love of travel. She’s looking forward to reconnecting with friends from her primary school days in Japan and improving her spoken Japanese. While she can read and understand the language well, Rita admits speaking still feels daunting.
“I just want to get past the fear of making mistakes and hold real conversations,” she says.
Her teacher Kirsten has reassured her that her pronunciation is excellent thanks to learning at a young age, so now it’s all about confidence. Rita knows the next few years will be challenging, but she’s ready for the adventure.
“I’m looking forward to the independence and the chance to grow,” she says. “It’s scary, but exciting at the same time.”