Other people like to collect stamps and teaspoons, but international student Xiaoyan Ni is busy collecting qualifications.

 The 26-year-old, who goes by the name of Happy, is on the home straight of a BCA majoring in information systems at Victoria University. This followed the NZ Diploma in Business, NZ Diploma in Management and marketing qualification she completed in 2005, two years after arriving in New Zealand from China.

 She's currently completing a Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) at Weltec and is hoping to start her BCA Honours degree next year.

 And all that on top of a full time job as an International Enrolment Officer at Weltec, where Happy advises students just like herself about their academic and personal choices.

 “When I first arrived at Weltec in 2003, I remember dealing with the Enrolment Officer. She was very helpful and during that year I had some personal injury issues which meant I couldn't attend classes for a while, and she helped me through that,” says Happy.

 That experience inspired her to take on the role when she saw it advertised almost three years ago.

 “I saw it as my opportunity to do the same for other students and it’s been great here. I love my job and helping students make the right choices, not only with regards to which course they are going to take but also in advising them about future careers and helping them to fit into New Zealand.”

 She's as sunny natured as her name suggests, but if Happy was to name one regret, it’s that she didn’t pursue her first love of design as a career.

 “I wanted to be either an architect or a clothing designer but all my friends were doing business study when I got here so I followed them into it. But things have worked out well for me and I love my job so this path was right for me afterall!”  

 Happy says she is pleased she selected Wellington as a place to live and study.

 “Wellington has been perfect – it’s not too big so I’m easily able to get to University and I’ve just bought my first house in Tirohanga, so I guess you could say I'm well and truly settled here now!”