{"id":1496,"date":"2012-11-30T14:03:27","date_gmt":"2012-11-30T01:03:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesislink.aut.ac.nz\/?p=1496"},"modified":"2015-06-22T14:20:43","modified_gmt":"2015-06-22T01:20:43","slug":"university-postgraduate-writers-retreat-nov-2012","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesislink.aut.ac.nz\/?p=1496","title":{"rendered":"University Postgraduate Writer’s Retreat, Nov 2012"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The second AUT Postgraduate Writers’ Retreat was held at Vaughan Park last week and, going by all accounts, it was a successful event for those who attended. As facilitators, we really enjoyed being able to offer a programme that supported the students with their research and had such positive engagement by all. There were opportunities to have individual advisory sessions, attend\u00a0workshops on writing, editing, publishing and reviewing, work with peers and join in group gatherings. Plus of course walking on the beach. Two extra highlights included visits by invited guests Dr Adam Taylor, Dr Mikki Williden, Philippa Smith and Parma Nand who told their stories about finishing the research journey. The venue provided a great place for restoring the mind and a restful space for writing and, we hope, sharpened the focus on writing by the students from here on.<\/p>\n

Thanks to the University Postgraduate Centre for their support of this event and in particular, Annette for all her careful planning and Rene for her communications to everyone.\u00a0 Looking forward to next year’s 2013 Retreat!\u00a0 See participant feedback posted below.\u00a0 More photos are provided on this link.<\/a><\/p>\n

Authors: Dr Jennie Billot and Dr David Parker<\/strong><\/em>\"\"<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Participant Feedback:<\/em><\/p>\n

“Kia ora, I would like to thank AUT for organising the Writers\u2019 Retreat at Vaughan Park, 18th to 21st November.\u00a0 I cannot express how much I valued attending this retreat, as a Postgrad Masters student. \u00a0The facilitators Jennie and David were awesome, their knowledge and experience I have found to be of exceptional help to getting me back on track with my thesis writing.\u00a0 I live in Whakatane, and as a distant learner I have struggled to find the time or place to be able to share with other students who are going through the same journey as me.\u00a0 Studying for me can be so lonely and this brings on apprehension, doubt etc etc, but this retreat has taken away these feelings through the mere fact of providing me with the opportunity to meet some wonderful people studying in similar faculty and the time to get to know them, but most important of all was the time away from my every day busy life to concentrate solely on my writing, time I would never have been able to set aside if it wasn\u2019t for this retreat and it\u2019s wonderful setting and facilities.<\/em><\/p>\n

“Thank you once again for organising this retreat, and I look forward to being part of any future writing retreats – Tui Edwards<\/strong>“<\/em><\/p>\n

“I would like to pass on my thanks to AUT, the PG team and Jennie and David for providing the retreat.\u00a0\u00a0 I found it extremely beneficial to get away from daily life, connect with other students and give my work some solid and continuous thought.\u00a0 Jennie and David were consistently accessible generously sharing their experience and expertise in workshop and by appointment. After meeting with David and discussing some general and structural ideas of my thesis I found a renewed confidence about my work. The venue provided very comfortable accommodation and we were certainly well fed.\u00a0 I feel this type of collect activity is very useful for PG research – particularly as many of us operate in interdisciplinary subject areas and struggle to find connections with others having similar experiences.\u00a0 Thanks AUT for supporting it – Hannah Ickert<\/strong>”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

“An excellent opportunity to be refreshed by hearing other writers stories and realising you are not alone in the struggle to create; to reconnect with the writing process and have access to feedback; and lastly, to rejuvenate the mind and body within a beautiful setting! – Wendy Moore<\/strong>”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0“A boost to my motivation to keep writing is precisely what I needed and got from this retreat.\u00a0 That feels so good and I am grateful – Jordan Alexander<\/strong>“<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0“I guess for me the real value was connecting with other students. As a distance student life can feel pretty lonely at times. It was a pleasure to be in the company of very capable and interesting fellow students who are undertaking some fabulous areas of study. The interrupted writing time, along with the space for reflection and connection has bought my 2012 study to a wonderful close. The retreat helped to gain clarity, perspective and focus, and i am really looking forward to my writing in 2013. It does not seem like such a daunting task after all. \u00a0 Thanks again, best wishes to you all for the new year ahead – Louise Tester<\/strong>“<\/em><\/p>\n

“Thanks to your efforts, we had a very good time at the retreat: it was effective; fun and relaxing.\u00a0 The session at the beginning was very useful for me. The individual session I attended helped me a lot with confidence about the way I’m going and the quality of work. There is nothing wrong to say about the hospitality; it was fantastic. I feel that having conversations with 4 guys who have already finished their PhDs were very useful. It helped me to understand that people can approach to the end of the process with their own personalities. some people work hard and all the time, but some work smart and quickly and have a balanced life. it was apparent in the four conversations.\u00a0 Thanks to the guests who shared their lovely experiences toward the end of the sessions.\u00a0\u00a0 Thanks David and Jennie, for the effort there and all others including Annette and Jan for organizing it – Chamila Ramanayaka<\/strong><\/em>“<\/p>\n

“I had wonderful experience at the Writer’s retreat! I loved to listen to others’ stories, which made me feel I belong to a group of people; I loved to share my experience, which made me realized how blessed I am to have the chance to pursue a PhD. The beautiful surroundings, the smiley faces, the passionate voices, and the healthy food… everything is still coming to my mind again and again. Sincere thanks to postgraduate centre and special thanks to Dr. Jennie and Dr. David. Really hope I\u00a0could have another\u00a0Writer’s Retreat before I finish my PhD. –\u00a0Qi Guo”<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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