Posts by Jess O'Connor
“Disney here we come!”: 14 ITC graduates accepted on Disney Cultural Exchange Program

Some of the talented ITC graduates who are heading to Disney World in August.
Hey, Disney World – are you ready for the awesomeness that’s coming your way?
14 talented ITC graduates have been accepted on the Disney Cultural Exchange Program, and 13 will arrive in Orlando in August (unfortunately one student cannot make it).
ITC graduates have been going to Disney World for many years, but this is the first time such a large group is going at once.
“It’s brilliant to see so many students taking up the opportunity to live and work at Disney World,” says ITC Employment Consultant Catherine Alder.
Posted in In the Community, News, Student success |All about the New Zealand Certificate in Travel (Level 4)
Posted on 01/06/2017 by Jess O'Connor
The New Zealand Certificate in Travel (Level 4) will prepare you for an exciting career in airline, travel and tourism – in New Zealand and overseas.
Do you love to travel?
Do you dream about working overseas one day?
Would you like to learn about New Zealand tourism and international tourism markets?
If you’re enthusiastically nodding yes, then the New Zealand Certificate in Travel (Level 4) could be the perfect course for you.
Posted in News, Study inspiration | Tagged NZ Certificate in Travel Level 4 | Leave a replyLesley’s Travel Journal: Ho Chi Minh City, Taipei, Beijing, Seoul and Busan
Posted on 30/05/2017 by Jess O'Connor
ITC International Marketing Manager, Lesley Brough, recently visited the Great Wall of China during a business trip to Asia.
Every few months, ITC International Marketing Manager Lesley Brough travels overseas to meet with international students and agents. Her last trip was to Ho Chi Minh City, Taipei, Beijing, Seoul, and Busan. Below, she shares some highlights from the trip.
It was a bit of a whirlwind trip! I was away for two weeks so I didn’t have a lot of time in each city, but I did get to do a few cool things.
The purpose of the business trip was to attend workshops with Quality English/Education in Ho Chi Minh City and Taipei, as well as visit agents in China and Korea. The workshops were kind of like speed dating with agents and companies, to get to know each other and see if there’s potential to work together in the future.
Here’s a glimpse into what I got up to in each city.
Posted in News, Staff News | Leave a replyITC students experience Auckland’s busy cruise ship season
Posted on 23/05/2017 by Jess O'Connor
When cruise travellers anchored in Auckland, several ITC students were among the check-in agents who helped them disembark and board their vessel.
Many cruise ship holidaymakers were greeted by enthusiastic ITC students when they disembarked and boarded in Auckland over the busy cruise season.
Several ITC students worked as check-in agents for ID Tours and Renaissance Tours – meaning they were right on the customer service frontline to meet arriving and departing passengers.
“Students were required to check passengers onto the cruise ships and also give directions to passengers at the cruise terminals,” says ITC Account Manager Ceri Jenkins, who helped organise this paid work experience opportunity.
Posted in News, Student success | Tagged cruise ship industry, cruise ship season | Leave a replyITC tutors bring love of tourism to the classroom
Posted on 16/05/2017 by Jess O'Connor
ITC tutors LOVE tourism! ITC supports them to undertake formal teacher training so they can share this passion with students.
Every tutor at the International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) shares at least one trait in common: a love of tourism.
ITC employs tutors based on their passion for the industry – they are tourism professionals first, teachers second.
It’s their boundless enthusiasm for tourism that makes them so great in the classroom. Their passion for the subject is infectious, and this resonates with the students.
Posted in News, Staff News | Leave a replyTRENZ kicks off in Auckland with help from ITC students
Posted on 09/05/2017 by Jess O'Connor
Hundreds of tourism professionals are in Auckland this week for TRENZ 2017, and several ITC students are volunteering at the event to make sure it runs smoothly.
New Zealand’s biggest travel and tourism trade event, TRENZ, kicks off in Auckland today – and ITC students are on-hand to make sure everything runs smoothly.
A group of 18 high-performing students have been chosen to assist as volunteers. They will support the presenters and attendees by:
- Helping the sellers set up their stands
- Manning key information areas such as coat check and food stalls
- Assisting with any last-minute errands or requests
ITC Account Manager Ceri Jenkins says volunteering at TRENZ is a great way for students to learn more about the exciting travel and tourism industry. (more…)
Posted in In the Community, News | Tagged TRENZ 2017 | Leave a reply‘Freedom Seat’ activist inspires ITC staff and students
Posted on 02/05/2017 by Jess O'Connor
Naresh Kumar recently spoke to ITC students about his experience riding the length of New Zealand to raise money for charity.
Staff and students at the International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) were recently inspired by the incredible story of Naresh Kumar from Freedom Seat. Naresh delivered a presentation at ITC’s City Campus in early April, where he spoke about his journey.
On January 16, Naresh set out to ride the length of New Zealand on a tandem bike named ‘Kindness’ to raise money for Tearfund, a not-for-profit leading the fight against human trafficking. He cycled from Cape Reinga to Bluff – an impressive 3,300 kilometres.
Posted in In the Community, News | Leave a reply12 ways to impress your interviewer
Posted on 26/04/2017 by Jess O'Connor
Being positive, asking questions, and dressing professionally are just some of the ways you can impress at a job interview.
If you want to ace a job interview, preparation is key. Planning ahead can help you feel calm and confident on the day.
There are several ways you can prepare. We spoke to Cathy and Sarndra, ITC’s employment experts, to find out more.
Here are Cathy and Sarndra’s top 12 tips for impressing your interviewer.
Posted in News, Study inspiration | Leave a replyITC tutor achieves Master of Business with First Class Honours
Posted on 18/04/2017 by Jess O'Connor
Everyone at ITC is overjoyed for Carla’s amazing achievement. Congratulations, Carla!
For the past ten years, ITC Level 5 programme leader Carla Sutton has been chipping away at something special – her further education.
She may be a tutor and a programme manager, but she never stopped being a student. After work, Carla dedicated her spare time to learning new skills.
First, she completed a Bachelor of Business through Unitec, with an amazing A+ grade point average. And now, she has completed a Master of Business with First Class Honours.
Posted in News, Staff News | Leave a replyAll about the New Zealand Diploma in Tourism (Level 5)
Posted on 13/04/2017 by Jess O'Connor
The New Zealand Diploma in Tourism (Level 5) can set you up for a rewarding management career.
Do you dream of one day becoming a manager in the aviation, travel or tourism industry?
If you’ve got ambition, drive, and a passion for travel and tourism, then you’ll love the New Zealand Diploma in Tourism (Level 5).
Posted in News, Study inspiration |




