ITC a ‘second home’ for short course students
The ITC Travel Short Course finished on a high note, with a cultural themed shared lunch. The students all made a wonderful effort with their costumes
For many secondary school students, attending a short course at the International Travel College (ITC) is the first time they experience life at tertiary level.
It can be quite daunting, leaving the familiarity of high school and travelling into the city for a course taught by an unknown teacher, in an unknown environment.
That’s why the team at ITC strives to create a warm and welcoming environment for every student that enters its doors. From the moment they step into the college, they are part of the ITC family.
In April, a group of students from five different high schools in Auckland spent a week at the City Campus for the ITC Travel Short Course.
At the end of an action-packed five days, some of the students lingered long after class was finished as they were sad to leave.
“These kids get so much out of one week with us,” says ITC Short Course Team Leader Mel Fey.
“They make new friends, learn all about the tourism industry and leave with a positive impression of tertiary life. The staff at ITC welcome people with open arms to join the ITC family.”
Two staff members in particular made a strong impression on this group of students: Sharon and Tisi, our Student Services Superstars.
“Thanks for making us feel welcome,” the students wrote in a personal message to Sharon and Tisi after the course finished.
“And thanks for making us feel like we were part of the family at ITC! Thank you for being a really good friend to us during the week.”
The Travel Short Course covers topics such as customer service skills, cultural awareness and how to understand and communicate with a range of different people.
On the final day of the course, the students enjoyed a shared lunch together. They each dressed up from a culture of their choice and brought a plate of traditional food.
Mel said the lunch is always a highlight of the course – and not just because of the food!
“We share our cultures, which are more than just where we are from, but who we are,” Mel says.
At the end of the course students don’t just walk away with credits – they leave with more confidence in their own abilities and a better understanding of the tourism industry as a whole.
“They really see what it is like to study at tertiary level,” says Mel.
“That’s the aim of all the short courses – it’s like a ‘try before you buy’. It gives them more information for when they make that big decision at the end of high school, of where to study next.”
Posted in In Schools | Tagged cultural awareness, Customer Service, Short courses, Travel | Leave a reply