Posts by Jess O'Connor
Mel’s trip of a lifetime part 2: How HALP 2014 changed me

Sometimes the best things happen outside your comfort zone. ITC’s Mel jumps off a tree branch into a fresh water waterfall in Laos!
In her last blog, Mel wrote about the preparations leading up to her humanitarian trip to Thailand and Laos. Today, read all about how this special journey changed her life for the better.
Posted in News, Staff News | Tagged HALP, humanitarian aid, Laos, Manurewa High School, Thailand | Leave a replyMel’s trip of a lifetime Part 1: The build-up to departure day
Posted on 30/10/2014 by Jess O'Connor
ITC’s Short Course Team Leader Mel riding an elephant in Southeast Asia
ITC’s Short Course Team Leader Mel recently got home from a trip of a lifetime to Thailand and Laos. Mel joined Manurewa High School on their Humanitarian Aid Leadership Programme (HALP), of which ITC is a proud sponsor. In part one of this two-part blog series, she takes us back to where it all started.
Posted in In the Community | Tagged HALP, humanitarian aid, Laos, Manurewa High School, Thailand |Introducing Jess O’Connor
Posted on 08/10/2014 by Jess O'Connor
Jess recently joined the ITC Marketing Team
Jess is our new Marketing Executive. You can find her at the City Campus writing all sorts of exciting marketing material or perhaps updating one of ITC’s social media accounts. She tells us how a recent holiday in Ireland inspired her to come back to New Zealand to pursue a career in travel and tourism.
Posted in News, Staff News | Tagged Careers, ITC Staff, Travel, travel stories | Leave a replyITC hosts professional development day for teachers
Posted on 03/10/2014 by Jess O'Connor
Teachers from across New Zealand join ITC on a mini Harbour Bridge Climb as part of a professional development day
Last Tuesday ITC welcomed a group of teachers to its City Campus for an interactive professional development day. ITC Account Manager Ceri Jenkins hosted the event, providing the teachers with industry knowledge – and plenty of coffee and chocolate biscuits to keep them going!
These events are a great way to update teachers about what’s happening in the travel and tourism industry, so they can best inform their students about career opportunities.
Posted in In Schools | Tagged Auckland, Careers, Harbour Bridge Climb, professional development, Teachers, Tourism, Travel | Leave a replyITC students raise funds for Arthritis NZ at Auckland Airport
Posted on 02/10/2014 by Jess O'Connor
Some ITC students from Botany proudly collecting money for Arthritis New Zealand at Auckland Airport last Saturday
Several generous students from the ITC Botany Campus spent last Saturday afternoon raising money for Arthritis New Zealand at Auckland Airport.
Wearing bright orange vests and even brighter smiles, the students caught the attention of visitors to the Airport and encouraged them to donate to a good cause.
Posted in In the Community | Tagged Arthritis New Zealand, Auckland Airport, Communication skills, Fundraising, ITC and community, Volunteering | Leave a replyMel joins Manurewa High School on trip of a lifetime
Posted on 01/10/2014 by Jess O'Connor
ITC Short Course Team Leader Mel (4th from the right with short sleeves and hairband) and students from Manurewa High School at Auckland International Airport
ITC’s very own Short Course Team Leader Mel Verwijmeren is currently on a trip of a lifetime in Southeast Asia. Mel joined Manurewa High School’s fourth HALP (Humanitarian Aid Leadership Programme) expedition to Thailand and Laos, of which ITC is a proud sponsor.
The trip is an amazing opportunity for students to see first-hand what life is like for people in this part of the world. For many students, it is their first time out of New Zealand, making it a significant life-changing experience.
Posted in In Schools, Staff News | Tagged Bangkok, humanitarian work, Laos, school trip, Travel | Leave a reply