Grace Kim Alumni 2004
 Grace Kim, ex-Kristin Head Girl, has updated us on her progress towards a diplomatic career. Here are a few words from the 2004 Alumnus.
“It’s been a long time, so I hope you remember me! I just wanted to write you all a small message to let you know about a new chapter in my life as today is my last day working (after two years’ service) at the Department of Internal Affairs (Office of Ethnic Affairs) in Auckland.
“While finishing my undergraduate studies, I began working full time here at the Dept. of Internal Affairs. During the time I’ve served here, I have been lucky enough to complete my First Class Honours degree, start a part-time PhD and even do some study abroad at the University of Salamanca, in Spain! Some of you may remember my dream of becoming a diplomat, and it is finally coming true! I am now moving to Wellington to start my new career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in their Trade Policy Liaison Unit and rotating into the Trade Negotiations team after one year. The years ahead I’m sure will be full of challenges and adventures, as I venture into a new mobile life between New Zealand and overseas posts; I am particularly interested in China or Brazil as a first post.
“In my own time, I have been involved in numerous cultural and leadership opportunities, such as training with the New Zealand representative squad for the World Salsa Championships and being awarded Runner-up for the Spark Aspire Social Entrepreneurship Challenge. I have become involved in service and community activities as well, such as volunteering as a Refugee Support Worker for Refugee Services Aotearoa and co-founding a not-forprofit organisation called Kowiana Association of New Zealand to support and advocate for young ‘Kowis’ (i.e. Korean-Kiwis) in New Zealand.
“As I step into this new chapter of my life, I have been looking back and thinking a lot about the different people and experiences that have developed me as a person. And, of course, the family at Kristin has played a huge role in my striving for my goals and dreams. So I wanted to thank you all for playing such a special role in my life. Thank you for sharing your passion for knowledge and your hunger for excellence with me over the years, as that has shaped me into the person I have become, and that I continue to strive to be.”
Rachel Lory Alumni 2004
 My name is Rachel Lory and I attended Kristin School from 1998 until 2004. Being the first year of NCEA Level 1, I am always amused to look back on my academic record and see the collection of exam results, which include School Certificate, Sixth Form Certificate, NCEA Level 1 along with my International Baccalaureate (IB) qualification. I was fortunate in attending Kristin in that I was able to participate in the rewarding curriculum that is IB, which, as I have discovered, is a well-recognised qualification worldwide.
Throughout my time at school I always wanted to study Medicine in the hope of becoming a Doctor, possibly working in the area of children’s health. This ambition began midway through my Junior years at Kristin and became a real passion after undergoing major surgery on my spine at the end of Year 10.
In addition to my academic commitments, I participated in many of the wonderful extracurricular activities Kristin has to offer, including not only playing but also coaching and umpiring Netball teams. I participated in a number of cultural activities such as the school Orchestra, Flute Choir and Stage Challenge. One of my fondest memories at Kristin, as a Prefect, was the opportunity to be assigned to a Junior School class. In my study periods I could spend time with my Year 2 class, participating in all their lessons from PE and Chinese lessons, to assisting with any special reading requirements they had, to support their teacher.
Outside of school I tutored Maths and Science, had several babysitting jobs and worked part-time at the weekend at Esprit in Shore City. This mix of academic, extracurricular and external activities taught me the valuable lesson of time management, whilst still striving for excellence in all I participated in. This is one of the most valuable skills I developed while at Kristin. After graduating from school, I continued on my path, pursuing a career in Medicine, by making the monumentous decision to leave family, friends and the warmth of my home town to move to that far-flung city at the bottom of New Zealand, that is Dunedin. I enrolled at Otago University to study Health Sciences First Year in the hopes of gaining entry into their reputable Medical School. My time in Dunedin will always be fondly remembered. I spent the first year in St Margaret’s College where I developed some amazing friendships, which I know will last a lifetime. I realised my ambition by gaining entry to Otago Medical School where I continue to study to this day, initially at the Otago Campus.
At the start of 2008, my fourth year at Medical School, I moved to Wellington to complete training of my hospital-based clinical studies. I am currently flatting a few blocks from the new Wellington Regional Hospital in Newtown and am thoroughly enjoying my rotations, which involve five-week stints in each department. This year promises to be challenging, with my first rotations in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, followed by Psychiatry, Paediatrics and Orthopaedic Surgery. I no longer know to which specialty I will give my life; Paediatrics remains an option, as does Obstetrics and Gynaecology. However, I have thoroughly enjoyed most rotations during my time in Wellington so a hard decision is coming my way.
To all those in their current years at Kristin I wish you well, and remember: hold onto your dreams, take advantage of every opportunity that Kristin provides and know that a Kristin education is an amazing platform for you to step into, whatever your chosen path may be.
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