wat u guys do on merdeka? play negaraku?

I know. But it isnt that from what I've seen. Recognition doesn't automatically mean it's a great course. Aus recognises about every NZ course anyway and vice versa. Though I see why a guaranteed place is assuring for an international student.

Any what do you mean by "better" recommendation or advice?

Guys, wanna ask bout studying in Otago. Isit easy to get into medicine course there compare to other U in australia or in nz? Otago is certainly one choice of mine. hehe, do gimme some advice ^^ Thanks alot.

More like 1500 students (the numbers increase each year) and 150 med school places - at least for Otago. Note that some of the 150 places go to graduate students. The numbers for international students are also different because of the quotas. Say they admit 30 international students into 2nd year each year. Of those 30, a large majority of places are taken up by pre-approved govt scholars based on agreement between their respective govts and the uni. That leaves a handful, and I mean a handful, for private fee-paying international students.

On IMU, neither Otago nor Auckland allow unsuccessful health science students to enter their clinical schools from IMU. You only get one shot at it, unless you try for graduate entry.

It's probably cos the partner uni won't accept PRs in the first place. After all, the reason why they open their doors to twinning students is for the $$$. If you're a PR, they won't get the $$$.

But that wasn't what I was referring to. What I meant was - if you tried getting entry from first year health science and failed, then went back to IMU, they won't let you twin back. Even if you're an international student. I guess I didn't make myself clear enough.

I agree with your sentiments on medical schools. But with respect, I think you've gotten two situations confused.
1) A PR has never set foot in the university before, never attempted health science and applied for med school, an was therefore never rejected (obviously I'm referring to NZ unis here). He goes through IMU but is rejected by that uni.
--- This is as much for financial reasons as much as maintenance of standards. Note that it is not entirely a back-door  route, unless you think that all IMU students get in through the back-door (lots of locals do actually).

2) A student, whether PR or international, fails to enter med school through the health sci route goes to IMU. That is definitely back-door entry, which I believe is what the unis to prevent.
--- This is maintenance of standards.

The sad thing is, it is not entirely true that you cannot buy a med degree in an developed country. That is pretty much what govts are doing when they form an agreement with the unis to send their students over here. In Otago, the average cut-off point for 2nd year med is in the high 80s. Govt scholars (whether from Malaysia, Saudi, Fiji etc) can get in as long as their health sci grades do not fall below 70%. Some are even accepted into 2nd year med BEFORE starting health sci. I know this guy who was given a telephone interview and a place by the uni before  flying over. That said, he deserved his place as he averaged 93% in health sci that year. Not so for other scholars. So you can see why there's some jealousy going on - between locals and internationals, and between private-paying and govt-sponsored internationals, and then between students who got in the standard way and IMU students.

i know.. just the keyboard at the cyber cafe sucks big time.. sorry,...

ehmm TT takes 3 days rite to get here...
the hsbc thing i mention.. just for precaution.. maybe i'm in rush need the money to transfer rite away.. that's what i;m thinking..

hohoh got the traveler's cheuques  edy..

once arrive there,, sure can open bank and cash all the cheques.

how to spell cheque??

'Cheque' is fine. Unless you want to go American, then it's 'check'. Since you're coming to NZ, better use 'cheque'. 

HSBC might be convenient (provided you can do a direct transfer across borders) but if there isn't a branch in Christchurch, it won't help much in an emergency. A better precaution would be to just watch your spending so your account balance never drops too low.

I like ASB's interest rates but from the point of view of a student (with few savings), it gets a little inconvenient. I don't know about in Canterbury, but there's no ASB ATM/branch near the Auckland Uni campus. If you need $$$ or to do banking, you'll have to walk a distance. It's not THAT far, but it sure isn't convenient. It was the same in Otago - had to take a ten min walk to town to get anything done. And then there's the difficulty of finding ATMs when you're travelling, especially in smaller towns. There's always EFTPOS but sometimes you will need cash.

Let's not even get started on HSBC... National and BNZ are by far the most convenient. Plus National Bank offers 7.75% for their Online Account.

Btw, if you really want to take advantage of high interest rates, open a foreign currency account in Malaysia. Our banks are offering interest rates as high as 8+% for fixed deposits in NZD. The advantage is interest isn't taxed in Malaysia. If only I had enough cash to make that worthwhile...

NZ gov. for PR & citizenz
cheers

wow! why NZ's tax is so high?
all your earnings just waste on the tax.. 

ok..now i understand..it just like singapore..
they have to pay tax higher bcoz it s for the facilities and all..
that s why singapore is really clean and well-regulated..
i see.. 

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Added on March 20, 2008, 9:26 ambut i heard public trnsport in NZ is quite expensive..
how come?

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Added on March 20, 2008, 9:44 amfor those muslim students study in NZ (esp fantagero)
HAPPY MAULIDUR RASUL!!
today is holiday..huhu!   

ohh yah..i forgot..
i heard from Selset that today is Easter Day..
yes yes!

maybe just bring my own moisturizer..
if it's nnot suitable there,i just buy another one..

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Added on March 21, 2008, 1:45 pm
sure i will..wherever it is..must be around our msian ppl..
that we can really trust and rely on...
so it will be easy when it comes HARI RAYA DAY...waaaaa!! without my family..
my first raya being alone..   

hey, i just get back from shopping my things..
and also bought some rempah and kari.. 
nice one!

hey, how hot is it in NZ?
is it dry hot? or is it hot than msia?  (???)
is it summer time?

hmmm? what's the difference between GOOD & EASTER?
i heard she said EASTER DAY... (whatever..)
ok,what is that actually?
every friday and sunday are holiday?
or just today?

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Added on March 21, 2008, 1:53 pmwhat is ph?

is our education system that bad?
until you want to grow your kids and be an NZ citizen..
okay..why malaysia didnt change their system to be more better anyway?
they say,they keep improving the system and all that..