ELA Academic Manager Lee Waddingham has recently returned from a visit to Latin America, where he engaged with partners, prospective students, and education stakeholders across Chile, Brazil, and Colombia.

‍

Building on previous visits, the tour focused on reconnecting with partners, strengthening relationships, and gaining deeper insight into the evolving needs of students in the region. As Lee noted, hearing “great to see you again” at many meetings reflected the value of sustained, in-person engagement in developing long-term partnerships.

‍

Throughout the trip, Lee met with education agents, institutions, and prospective students. These conversations highlighted the strong motivation and global outlook of Latin American students, many of whom are eager to travel, gain international experience, and pursue further study abroad. Lee observed that students from the region bring a high level of engagement and a sense of warmth that enriches the ELA community.

‍

A key theme emerging from the visit was a shift in student priorities. While English language study has traditionally been seen as a pathway to employment in home countries, there is now growing interest in combining English study with further education. In particular, demand for postgraduate study is increasing, with many students focused on building international careers.

‍

ELA’s pathway programmes featured strongly in discussions, offering students the language and academic preparation needed for university study, alongside a supportive introduction to life at the University of Auckland. As Lee noted, ELA often becomes a “home base” where students build networks and confidence before and during their degree studies. With this growing interest in progression to higher education, the region presents strong opportunities to expand the number of students beginning their journey at ELA before transitioning to the University.

‍

The visit also reinforced the importance of face-to-face engagement. While online communication remains important, building trust and long-lasting relationships depends on being present in-market and connecting directly with partners and students.

‍

Travelling as part of a wider New Zealand education delegation, Lee worked alongside Education New Zealand, Immigration New Zealand, and New Zealand Embassy representatives. These partnerships play an important role in promoting New Zealand as a high-quality, safe, and welcoming study destination.

‍

Reflecting on the visit, Lee also highlighted a personal milestone in Brazil, where he delivered a presentation in Portuguese using a more natural, conversational style. The positive response reinforced the importance of authentic communication in building meaningful connections.

‍

Overall, the visit demonstrated the value of sustained engagement and strong partnerships in supporting student pathways and strengthening ELA’s presence in Latin America.

‍