From Rotorua to Whakahoro – The time of their life
A recent ITC famil trip to Rotorua, Taupo and Blue Duck Lodge at Whakahoro made a huge impression on the students.
Many of the students valued the opportunity to visit Tamaki Village and learn more about the Maori way of life, but perhaps none more so than Maori student Neil Wharekoka. Neil was glad of the chance “to show my class how my people lived in the old days – I ended up being the chief of our bus, because I know what to do on the marae. They had the meanest hangi there; it was beautiful,” says Neil.
Like a number of the students, Charlie notes that, despite being from New Zealand, “the places we went to like Rotoroa and Taupo I had never been to before. It was good to see just how beautiful our country really is.”
And the opportunity to socialise and get to know each other was something numerous students commented on.
“I really love my class. They’re awesome!” says Ginalee. “And without them this trip wouldn’t have had so many memories.”
“Our last night in Blue Duck Station was cool; we all sat around the fire just laughing. It was good to just sit down and talk and get to know everyone,” says Margaret.
The students loved the huge number of exciting activities they were able to take part in from white water rafting, four-wheel driving, and bush walking, to bungy jumping. A number of students got out of their comfort zones, including student Taima who braved the Agrodome’s Swoop, despite her fear of heights.
And the bigger picture of what it was all about wasn’t lost on the students.
“I learnt so much during this fantastic adventure,” says Tia. “The experience that I gained will help me to grow in the tourism industry. Being able to go out and gain experience at first hand was the greatest feeling. For me it’s what ITC and the tourism industry is all about. It’s about going out of your way to experience things that your client might like to do when they visit New Zealand.”
And Dinah offers some final words of wisdom for other ITC students who haven’t yet been on a famil trip: “Complete your assessments, attend class and you too could experience the time of your life!”
